The circulatory system is comprised of the heart along with all the blood and blood vessels that traverse the body. The circulatory system is sometimes referred to as the cardiovascular system. Both terms can be used interchangeably.
The circulatory system is responsible for moving, or circulating, blood throughout the body. By doing this, the circulatory system performs the following functions:
A circulatory system disease is defined as any condition that affects the heart, blood, arteries, veins, or capillaries. There are numerous circulatory system diseases. Some of the most common include:
Circulatory system diseases are characterized by the following symptoms:
The list above represents a handful of symptoms shared among many circulatory system diseases. However, there are a vast number of circulatory system diseases, and some have their own set of unique symptoms. For example, a stroke is a circulatory system disease that is identified by the sudden onset of the following symptoms: severe headache, vision problems, trouble speaking, and numbness on one side of the body.
Circulatory system diseases have many causes. These causes include, but are not limited, to the following:
For some circulatory system diseases (i.e., congenital heart diseases), the cause for the disease remains unknown.
There are several factors that increase one’s risk of developing a circulatory system disease. These risk factors are as follows:
Having a family member with a circulatory system disease increases one’s own likelihood of developing one. This can be due to genetics or similarity in lifestyle.
Older adults have a higher likelihood of developing a circulatory system disease. This is due to the natural deterioration of the circulatory system with age.
Smoking and even second-hand exposure to smoke can increase one’s odds of developing a circulatory system disease.
An example of an unhealthy diet is eating too much salt, sugar, and fat while not eating enough fruits or vegetables. An unhealthy diet can lead to obesity, one of the many causes of circulatory system diseases. It also increases one’s risk for developing high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure.
Normal blood pressure for an adult should be 120/80 mmHg when resting. High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases one’s risk of developing other circulatory system diseases.
One’s total cholesterol levels should remain below 200 mg/dL. High cholesterol contributes to plaque build-up within arteries. This increases one’s risk of developing other circulatory system diseases.
Circulatory system diseases can be diagnosed by many different tests. Diagnostic tests include:
Blood tests are used to check the levels of various substances within the body. High levels of troponin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, D dimer, and inflammatory proteins can indicate a problem with the circulatory system.
Various imaging techniques can be used to produce detailed images of the heart and chest area. These images are useful for diagnosing numerous circulatory system diseases, such as atherosclerosis, aneurysms, congenital heart diseases, cardiomyopathies, and heart valve diseases. The various imaging techniques include the following:
An EKG is an easy, non-invasive test that measures the heart’s rhythm. For an EKG, electrodes are placed around one’s torso. These electrodes measure the electrical signals of the heart and can detect any irregularities in the heart’s rhythm.
For a stress test, electrodes are placed around the torso, a blood pressure cuff is worn on the arm, and a pulse monitor is placed on the finger. This is all done so that a doctor can monitor a patient’s heart rhythm, blood pressure, and pulse rate while exercising (walking on a treadmill or riding a bike). A stress test is used to diagnose an arrhythmia or coronary artery disease.
Circulatory system diseases often lead to more serious circulatory system diseases. For example, high cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, in turn, can lead to hypertension. Eventually, all circulatory system diseases, if left untreated, will lead to heart failure, stroke, or death.
The treatment for circulatory system diseases varies depending on the specific disease in question. Treatment can include any of the following:
Numerous medications are available to lower cholesterol, lower high blood pressure, thin the blood (anticoagulants), and dissolve blood clots. Another type of medication that is commonly prescribed is aspirin. A daily dose of aspirin can help those at risk for blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
There are multiple surgical procedures used to treat circulatory system diseases. These surgical procedures include, but are not limited, to the following:
When applicable, the treatment options listed above are combined with necessary lifestyle changes. For example, if a patient smokes, they must stop smoking immediately. If a patient is overweight, their treatment regimen also consists of eating a healthier diet and exercising regularly. It is recommended that adults exercise at least 150 minutes every week.
Some circulatory system diseases, such as congenital heart diseases, cannot be prevented. Nonetheless, there are still plenty of circulatory system diseases that can be mitigated with a few preventative steps. To lessen one’s chances of developing a circulatory system disease, one must endeavour to make healthy lifestyle choices. Healthy lifestyle choices include quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, keeping a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and reducing stress levels.