The Affects of Heart Disease on the Body
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The leading cause of death among men and women of the United States, England and Canada is heart disease. The general term heart disease is used to describe a narrowing of the arteries which therefore blocks the blood flow to the body. This widely used terminology is used to indicate other heart problems such as: To better understand the affects of disease on the body, it is important to evaluate the circulatory system and the roll of the heart in it. The circulatory system, is comprised of blood, the heart, and the blood vessels that supply oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the body. Oxygen and nutrients are supplied to the body in a normal functioning circulatory system. If a disturbance occurs, the result is heart disease and a disturbance of the metabolism. As plaque forms in the arteries, cracks begin to form which allow for blood clots to develop. Once these clots form, blood flow is cut off and can damage the function ability of important organs such as the brain, lungs, kidneys and heart. The heart is not the only part of the body that can experience blocked arteries. Peripheral Vascular Disease is the result of blocked arteries in the arms and legs. This condition is very serious as it can cause loss of function and disability in these lower extremities. A rupturing of these plaques causes the artery to be blocked which then can cause the skin to break down, eventually creating skin ulcers on the arms and legs. If undetected, the plaque can also break apart, allowing it to travel through the blood stream to other important areas of the body such as the heart and lungs. This breakage can bring about cardiac arrest or respiratory failure which requires immediate medical attention. For example, a woman, born with a congenital heart disease can consider pregnancy, but the risk factors for both the mother and baby must be evaluated before pregnancy begins. Otherwise, there is a risk for maternal and/or fetal death during the pregnancy. These are ways heart disease affects the body as a whole. Often times, a diagnosis of heart disease can lead a patient into depression or extreme stress. While there is the belief that stress and heart disease are related, there has not yet been any scientific evidence to back it up. Prevention is the key. Making healthy choices regarding, weight, not smoking, avoiding alcohol, controlling high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and getting daily exercise are all great ways to living a healthier, longer life. July 25 2009 06:50 am | Heart Disease 
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