Circulatory system diseases, also known as cardiovascular or heart disease, is the name for a group of diseases. While there are many different types of circulatory system diseases, they all stem from a lack of blood flow throughout the body. The lack of blood flow could be because of heart problems, blocked arteries, or many other issues.
There are many different components involved in your circulatory system, and they all play an important role. If any one of them malfunctions, it can lead to a circulatory system disease. While most circulatory system diseases were once thought to be incurable, there are now many treatment options that can remedy the condition.
Regardless of what type of circulatory system disease you have, medications are usually one of the main treatment options.
Beta-blockers are effective at relaxing your heart and slowing down your heart rate.
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors help relax your arteries and veins, which is necessary to lower your blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading cause of circulatory system diseases.
Diuretics help you urinate more frequently, which is necessary to remove excess liquid and lower blood pressure.
Anticoagulants are one of the most effective medications for preventing blood clots, which are a leading cause of strokes, TIAs, and heart attacks.
Statins help keep your cholesterol within normal ranges. This is important because high cholesterol can lead to circulatory system diseases.
No matter which medications you take to manage your circulatory system disease, it will likely have side effects. Some of these side effects include dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, drowsiness, and more. Most of the side effects happen because the medication you’re taking is too effective. For example, if you take beta-blockers to slow your heart rate, it might be too effective and cause an excessively slow heart rate.
If your circulatory system disease is serious and dangerous enough, you might need surgery to repair the issue. In the same way that the medications you take will depend on what type of disease you have, so will the surgery. For example, if the disease has damaged your heart beyond repair, you may need open heart surgery or a transplant. If your veins and arteries are too clogged, you will likely require a coronary artery bypass graft or repairing of a valve.
In addition to medications and surgery, there are also plenty of dietary and lifestyle changes you’ll have to make if you have a circulatory system disease.
Doing these things will help keep your heart rate and blood pressure under control, which is essential if you have circulatory system disease. Additionally, if you catch your condition early enough, you might be able to treat and manage it with lifestyle and dietary changes alone.
Because of how many different circulatory system diseases there are, your exact treatment plan will depend on which part of your system is being affected. Therefore, if you have a circulatory system disease, it’s vital to see an experienced doctor so they can make a proper diagnosis. Only then can you rest assured that you’re on the right treatment plan.