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CVD
What are cardiovascular diseases?
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
They include:
• coronary heart disease – a disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle;
• cerebrovascular disease – a disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain;
• peripheral arterial disease – a disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs;
• rheumatic heart disease – damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic
fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria;
• congenital heart disease – birth defects that affect the normal development and functioning
of the heart caused by malformations of the heart structure from birth; and deep vein
thrombosis and pulmonary embolism – blood clots in the leg veins, which can dislodge and
move to the heart and lungs.
Heart attacks and strokes are usually acute events and are mainly caused by a blockage
that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain. The most common reason for this is a
build-up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels that supply the heart or
brain. Strokes can be caused by bleeding from a blood vessel in the brain or from blood
clots.
What are common symptoms of cardiovascular diseases?
Symptoms of heart attacks and strokes
Often, there are no symptoms of the underlying disease of the blood vessels. A
heart attack or stroke may be the first sign of underlying disease. Symptoms of a
heart attack include:
•pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest; and/or
•pain or discomfort in the arms, the left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back.
In addition the person may experience difficulty in breathing or shortness of
breath; nausea or vomiting; light-headedness or faintness; a cold sweat; and
turning pale. Women are more likely than men to have shortness of breath,
nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
The most common symptom of a stroke is sudden weakness of the face, arm, or
leg, most often on one side of the body. Other symptoms include sudden onset of:
•numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body;
•confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech;
•difficulty seeing with one or both eyes;
•difficulty walking, dizziness and/or loss of balance or coordination;
•severe headache with no known cause; and/or
•fainting or unconsciousness.
What is rheumatic heart disease?
Rheumatic heart disease is caused by damage to the heart
valves and heart muscle from the inflammation and scarring
caused by rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is caused by
an abnormal response of the body to infection with
streptococcal bacteria, which usually begins as a sore throat
or tonsillitis in children.
Rheumatic fever mostly affects children in developing
countries, especially where poverty is widespread. Globally,
about 2% of deaths from cardiovascular diseases are
related to rheumatic heart disease.
Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease
Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease include: shortness of
breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeats, chest pain and fainting.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever include: fever, pain and
swelling of the joints, nausea, stomach cramps and
vomiting.
Common disorders and complications of Coronoary Heart Diseases
(CHD)
RISK
FACTORS
Goals of Dietary Treatment: The goals of dietary management (alone or conjunction with exercise or with lipid
lowering drugs) are to reduce the total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol intake. This is an attempt to reduce total
cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels, thus also reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and modifying its progression
in subjects with the disease.
FAT:A high intake of dietary fats strongly influences the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Saturated fatty acids commonly found in dairy products and meat raise cholesterol levels. Moreover, studies have
also shown trans fatty acids, found in industrially hardened oils, increase the risk of coronary heart disease. While
they have been eliminated from spreads in many parts of the world, trans fatty acids are still found in deep-fried fast
foods and baked goods.
The most effective replacement for saturated fatty acids in the diet are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) which
can lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In particular, they are found in soybean and sunflower oils
as well as in fatty fish and plant foods. Polyunsaturated fatty acids have many positive effects, notably on blood
pressure, heart function, blood clotting, and inflammatory mechanisms.
Most of this evidence is a result of fish consumption studies. In one particular study, a group of patients who
survived a heart attack were given fish oils over several years.
Cholesterol:which is an essential component of cell membranes and certain
hormones, is produced by the liver, but it is also present in dairy products, meat and
eggs. A high amount of a certain type of cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein or
LDL) in the blood can lead to its deposition in the arteries that can restrict blood
flow and may cause heart problems. It is not clear whether dietary cholesterol is
associated with cardiovascular disease, but it is recommended to avoid excessive
intake. Cholesterol is not, in fact, required in the diet because it is produced by the
liver in sufficient amounts.
Dietary fibre is also a major factor in reducing total cholesterol in the blood and
LDL cholesterol in particular. Eating a diet high in fibre and wholegrain cereals can
reduce the risk of coronary heat disease.
Taking potassium supplements has been shown to reduce blood pressure and the risk
of CVD. However, the recommended level of fruit and vegetable consumption
supplies an adequate intake of potassium .
A high intake of salt (sodium) has been linked to high blood pressure, a major risk
factor for stroke and coronary heart disease.
Fish consumption once or twice per week is protective against coronary heart disease and stroke.
Vegetarians should ensure an adequate intake of the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid which is
also found in plant sources (such as canola and soybean oils, pumpkins, and walnuts).

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