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What is heart disease?What is heart disease? Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are called cardiovascular diseases. The main cardiovascular diseases are heart attack, angina and stroke. Heart attack and angina are types of coronary heart disease because they arise from problems of the heart's own coronary arteries. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. In 1994, the death rates for cardiovascular disease were 43.3% (for people of all ages). This can be broken down into the following categories:
Medical researchers are learning more about preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. However, everybody can play a major role in looking after his or her own circulatory system. This process should ideally start in childhood. Atherosclerosis The most common underlying problem in heart and blood vessel disease is the artery blocking process called atherosclerosis. Fatty and fibre-like material called atheroma builds up on the inside surface of the arteries so that they become narrower, harder and less elastic. This can cut down the flow of blood and the process often begins during childhood and adolescence.
Doctors used to think atherosclerosis was a natural process of getting older. It is now known that smoking; high blood pressure and a diet high in saturated fat tend to speed up its development. The heart muscle itself needs a good supply of oxygen. If atherosclerosis narrows any of the heart's coronary blood vessels, this can lead to either angina or heart attack. Angina Angina is the chest pain or discomfort occurring when part of the heart cannot get enough oxygen to meet its demands, especially during exercise. The pain goes away with rest. The heart muscle is not permanently damaged but angina is a warning that the muscle is at risk and the rate of heart attack is increased. People who experience chest pain of this type should see their doctor. Heart Attack With a heart attack, the pain does not go away with rest and part of the heart muscle is permanently damaged. If the damage is very large, the heart may stop pumping causing death. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot suddenly blocks a narrowed coronary artery. Blood supplied to the heart is cut off and the affected part of the muscle can die if blood flow is not quickly restored. Stroke A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked
or bursts. As a result, brain cells may be damaged, causing paralysis
of parts of the body or speech problems. Sometimes a stroke can cause
death. A stroke is caused in a similar way to a heart attack and is sometimes
call a "brain attack".
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