Published - Mon, 30 May 2022

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES (CVDs)

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES (CVDs)

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) include conditions that affect the blood vessels of the heart, coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions that affect the heart.

The burden of CVDs – A matter of concern

 

CVDs are the leading cause of mortality globally, claiming the lives of an estimated 17.9 million people every year. More than four out of every five CVD deaths are caused by heart attacks and strokes, with one-third of these deaths occurring before the age of 70.

Abnormal heart rhythms (or arrhythmias), Aorta disease and Marfan syndrome, Congenital heart disease, Coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries), Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, Heart attack, Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), Heart valve disease, Pericardial disease, Peripheral vascular disease, Rheumatic heart disease, Stroke, and Vascular disease are all examples of CVD (blood vessel disease).


Cardinal signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease include:

 

o   Chest pain or pressure, which could indicate angina.

o   Pain or discomfort in the left shoulder, radiating pain to the arm, elbows, jaw, or back

o   Nausea and exhaustion

o   Excessive gasping for air

o   Feeling light-headed or dizzy

o   Excessive sweating

Risk Factors for the development of cardiovascular disease

 

o   Behavioral risk factors: Some of the most important behavioral risk factors for  CVD include

1.       Tobacco use

2.       An unhealthy diet

3.       Excessive alcohol consumption

4.       Inadequate physical activity

o   Physiological factors: These factors are linked to underlying social determinants and drivers such as age, income, and urbanization.

1.       High blood pressure (hypertension)

2.       High blood cholesterol

3.       High blood sugar or glucose,


 

Tips to reduce the risk of CVD

 

Tobacco cessation, salt reduction in the diet, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, regular physical activity, and avoidance of excessive alcohol consumption have all been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Identifying those who are most at risk for CVDs and ensuring that they receive appropriate treatment can help to prevent premature deaths. To ensure that those in need receive treatment and counseling, all primary health care facilities must have access to non-communicable disease medicines and basic health technologies.

Management of CVD

 

The treatment options for cardiovascular diseases vary depending on the condition and may include

o   Lifestyle modification: Altering aspects of your lifestyle, such as your diet, exercise, and alcohol and tobacco use.

o   Medications, such as those used to treat risk factors such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, or to dissolve clots.

o   Medical procedures/Interventions such as putting a balloon or stent in your artery, heart valve surgery, or coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Comments (0)

Search
Popular categories
Latest blogs
All you need to know about Syphilis
All you need to know about Syphilis
ETIOLOGY: Syphilis is caused by T. pallidum.INCIDENCE: Each year, there are 29,000 new cases of syphilis. This figure represents probably only 10% of actual cases.CLINICAL FEATURES1. Primary syphilis: After an average incubation period of approximately 3 weeks, a smooth, painless ulcer called a chancre appears at the site of primary inoculation. The chancre heals without treatment in approximately 3 to 6 weeks; at about the same time, a painless uni- or bilateral regional adenopathy develops.2. Secondary syphilis represents disseminated disease and occurs in all patients with untreated primary infection. The lesions of secondary syphilis are papulosquamous lesions that occur over the entire trunk, extremities, penis, and buttocks. Fever and weight loss occur in 70% of patients.3. Tertiary syphilis occurs at least 10 years after the primary infection in at least 30% to 35% of untreated patients. The two most important manifestations of tertiary syphilis are cardiovascular syphilis, causing thoracic aneurysms, and neurosyphilis, causing meningitis, stroke, seizures, dementia, general weakness, and posterior column dysfunction.DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES— Chancroid— HSV type 1 infection— Lymphogranuloma venereum— Tinea, sarcoid— Lichen planus— Seborrhea dermatitis— Molluscum contagiosum— Traumatic ulcer— Furuncle— CarcinomaEVALUATION: The clinical diagnosis can be confirmed by darkfield microscopic examination or more commonly serologic testing.THERAPY1. The standard treatment for primary, secondary, and early tertiary syphilis is benzathine penicillin G (2.4 million U administered intramuscularly as a single dose).2. For late tertiary syphilis or neurosyphilis, benzathine penicillin G (2.4 million U, three doses administered intramuscularly 1 week apart) is used. Doxycycline (100 mg orally twice daily for 14 days) can be given to patients who are allergic to penicillin.DISPOSITION1. Primary and secondary syphilis can be treated on an outpatient basis.2. Patients with neurosyphilis or major cardiovascular manifestations require admission for intravenous therapy.

Tue, 15 Nov 2022

What is Pemphigus Vulgaris?
What is Pemphigus Vulgaris?
Pemphigus Vulgaris is a rare disease that affects elderly patients. The mortality rate is 10%; most deaths result from steroid complications, secondary infection, dehydration, or thromboembolism. Pemphigus Vulgaris is caused by the attachment of immunoglobulin G autoantibodies to the epidermis. It has been associated with D -penicillamine and captopril administration.CLINICAL FEATURES1. Mucosal lesions and erosions are very common. Examination of all mucosal sites is warranted.2. Non-pruritic, painful, flaccid bullae appear that rupture easily. Blisters can be extended or new bullae formed by applying firm tangential pressure on the intact epidermis.3. Weakness, weight loss, and dysphagia may be presenting complaints.DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES— Erythema multiforme— Bullous impetigo— Herpes zosterEVALUATION: Biopsy of lesions shows eosinophils, intraepidermal bullae, and acantholysis. Indirect immunofluorescent staining shows immunoglobulin G antibodies. Serum titers can be followed to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy.THERAPY1. Prednisone (200 to 350 mg/day) for 5 to 10 weeks is used until the cessation of new blister formation occurs. The dosage is then reduced to 40 mg on alternative days and tapered over 1 year.2. Azathioprine (100 mg/day) is added to the regimen and the dosage is reduced over a 4- to 6-month period. Methotrexate and cyclophosphamide can be used instead of azathioprine.3. Topical analgesics (e.g., viscous lidocaine) can be used to alleviate the pain associated with oral lesions.DISPOSITION: Patients with severe cases and oral lesions may require hospital admission for intravenous hydration. Others can be treated as outpatients with close follow-up.

Tue, 15 Nov 2022

Know about Scorpion Stings
Know about Scorpion Stings
Introduction: A nocturnal arachnid that lives in the Southwest of the United States is the scorpion. It has two venom glands and a stinger in its tail. The majority of species are rather benign, and they often only create a limited reaction similar to that brought on by a bee sting. The bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) venom, on the other hand, has neurotoxic that can result in a serious reaction. This dangerous scorpion is found on trees in Arizona and New Mexico.CLINICAL FEATURES1. Local effects: The C. sculpturatus scorpion bite causes immediate, excruciating pain at the stung site, as well as swelling and ultimately, numbness. The area that was hurt is extremely sensitive, and the implicated extremity could become paralyzed.2. Systemic effects: The neurotoxin is strongly cholinergic and can cause excessive salivation, blurred vision, muscular spasms, hypertension, and respiratory difficulties.DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES — Snakebite— A puncture wound or other trauma— Insect or spider bite— Drug intoxicationEVALUATION: Typically, the offending scorpion is seen or assumed by history; if safety allows the scorpion to be brought in, this is best. Due to the wide range of symptoms and quick progression, a thorough history and physical examination are necessary.THERAPY1. Pre-hospital management includes rapid transportation of the patient, application of an ice pack to the sting site, and safe transport of the scorpion for identification. When serious symptoms appear, life-saving procedures should be started.2. ED managementa) Antivenin should be administered in all cases of severe envenomation.b) Ventilatory support may be required, with intubation and oxygen for patients with severe systemic response or anaphylaxis.c) Atropine may be required to counteract the cholinergic effects; the dose is titrated to relieve the cholinergic signs.d) Benzodiazepines may be used for seizures and muscle spasms.DISPOSITION: All victims should be observed for 24 hours, especially children. Symptomatic patients should be transferred to the intensive care unit if symptoms are severe.

Sat, 12 Nov 2022

All blogs