Signs of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease results from atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which cholesterol, dead cells, fibrous tissue, and calcium all combine to produce an inner artery wall obstruction, narrowing the artery and reducing elasticity, strength, and flexibility. As the narrowing process advances signs of cardiovascular disease may start to be noticed, though in a small percentage of cases there are no signs, or perhaps they are so mild that they go unnoticed.

The signs of cardiovascular disease vary from person to person with the most common being angina. Angina is a dull diffuse chest pain often described as a feeling of tightness or heaviness that is brought about by exercise and relieved by rest. As the arterial blockage expands, chocking off blood and oxygen flow even more, this stop and go action may start to become more constant, not always disappearing when at rest.

Other signs of cardiovascular disease include trouble breathing, especially during physical activity or stressful events; an irregular heart (cardiac arrhythmia); an upset stomach or nausea; profuse sweating; weakness or fatigue that might get in the way of doing some of the simplest tasks such as carrying in the groceries or vacuuming; and in women, pain in the breast or abdomen that might appear to be indigestion.

When a person starts to experience signs of cardiovascular disease one or more arteries have substantial blockage, by some estimates 70 percent or more. This leaves very little room for the blood to squeeze through, thus opening the door to the possibility for total blockage from a blood clot. When total blockage occurs the result is a heart attack.

It is obvious when the signs of cardiovascular disease start to occur your heart will be placed under great duress. It may need to pump harder and faster, or even change its cadence in an attempt to pump blood to the body. The heart will eventually fall behind the body's demand for blood, leading to fluid accumulation in the heart and lungs. This condition is known as congestive heart failure, and like heart attack can result in disability or death. Common symptoms are similar to those seen in virtually all cardiovascular diseases and include fatigue; chest congestion; swollen ankles, feet, leg, and belly; shortness of breath; sudden weight gain; chest pain; and an irregular heartbeat.

Talk to your doctor

Recognizing the signs of cardiovascular disease earlier rather than later will give you a fighting chance to make some changes before the condition turns deadly. Certainly, if you start to see signs of cardiovascular disease you should immediately consult your doctor for advice. He will likely recommend a low fat diet, daily exercise, and possibly a prescription medication or a natural cholesterol reduction supplement in an attempt to avoid invasive medical procedures.