Signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease

The words are furthermore usually associated with only heart attacks and strokes. If you just made the same assumptions about cardiovascular disease than most people do, you are in for a surprise.

“While it is true that cardiovascular diseases are much more likely to occur with age, it is certainly not limited to men, nor to overweight ones at that,” says Dr Colin Schamroth, a Cardiologist at Netcare Milpark Hospital.

The truth is that no one is immune to developing cardiovascular disease. You may be fit and skinny yet have a family history that would predispose you to develop one of the many cardiovascular diseases, sometimes at a much younger age than others. What is more, while heart attacks and strokes are the more commonly known cardiovascular diseases, the term also describes diseases such as coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, aneurysm, arrhythmias and many others.

With the better known heart attack and stroke, however, the signs and symptoms of the disease usually will not present for many years. When it does, it may already be too late to make the necessary preventative lifestyle changes.

This is probably the number one reason why, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa, between 1997 and 2004, 195 people died every day in South Africa because of some form of heart and blood vessel disease. What is more, premature deaths caused by heart and blood vessel diseases in people of working age (35 to 64 years) are expected to increase by 41% between 2000 and 2030.

Another interesting statistic by the American Health Association is the fact that, each year in the USA, fifty thousand more women die of heart attacks than men. Heart disease is responsible for half the deaths of all American women over the age of 50.

“Estrogen helps protect women against cardiovascular diseases during the childbearing years,” explains Dr Schamroth. “This is true even when they have the same risk factors as men, including smoking, high blood cholesterol levels, a sedentary lifestyle and a family history of heart disease. But the protection is temporary. After menopause the incidence of cardiovascular disease increases, with each passing year posing a greater risk.”

Another reason why older women seem to be such likely candidates for developing cardiovascular diseases, Dr Schamroth believes, is the fact that women take longer to arrive at emergency units after developing chest pain. “With the disease mostly associated with men, women simply do not seem to think that they may be suffering a heart attack. They therefore do not necessarily realise the urgency of receiving treatment soon enough.”

When should one take note of the fact that you may be suffering a heart attack or a stroke? Dr Schamroth gives the following pointers:

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attacks

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most may start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often those affected are not sure what is wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that may indicate that a heart attack is happening:

· Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the centre of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
· Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
· Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
· Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light headedness.

“As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain,” says Dr Schamroth. “Remember, even if you are not sure that it is a heart attack, have it checked out. Tell a doctor about your symptoms and do it as soon as possible.”

Stroke Warning Signs

· Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
· Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
· Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
· Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
· Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

“If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, do not delay! Immediately call an emergency medical service for assistance. Also, check the time so that you will know when the first symptoms appeared,” says

Dr Schamroth. “This is important since it will help the emergency medical personnel and the doctors at the hospital to determine the best form of initital therapy which may limit the extend of the damage already caused.”

How do I reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke?

Dr Schamroth says that men over the age of 55 and women over the age of 65 are particularly susceptible to developing cardiovascular diseases. Long before you reach these ages though, you need to take care of your body and live a healthy lifestyle.

Generally it is recommended that you:

Stop smoking
Have your blood pressure, blood glucose and blood cholesterol checked at least once a year
Get medical advice and treatment for the control of:

High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Diabetes mellitus

Follow a diet low in animal fats and dairy products, and high in fruit, vegetables and fibre
Get regular moderate exercise

Released on behalf of Netcare Milpark Hospital