Cardiovascular diseases (i)

Cardiovascular diseases are those that affect both the heart and blood vessels. In the 2020 global health statistics published by the World Health Organization, it highlights:

• "In 2016, an estimated 41 million people died from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), accounting for 71% of all deaths. Most of these deaths were caused by four major diseases: cardiovascular diseases (17.9 million), cancer (9 million), chronic respiratory diseases (3.8 million), and diabetes (1.6 million)."
• "The underlying causes of these diseases are multiple, including genetic predispositions and modifiable risk behaviors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets, in addition to environmental hazards such as air pollution. The prevalence of these factors varies by geographic region, economic status, and sex."

Major cardiovascular diseases

Coronary artery disease occurs when blood flow to the heart is impaired by plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. Coronary artery diseases include:

• Angina pectoris: occurs when the blood (and oxygen) supply to the heart muscle is insufficient, causing chest pain. This condition is associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events.

• Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack): results from the death of heart cells, caused by an interruption of blood flow. It is the leading cause of mortality worldwide in both men and women.

Peripheral vascular disease: refers to the blockage of arteries that carry blood to the extremities, commonly caused by arteriosclerosis. Cerebrovascular disease (stroke): includes disorders that affect the blood vessels of the brain, resulting in ischemia (lack of blood) or hemorrhage. Hypertension is the main risk factor for these conditions. Renal artery stenosis: is the narrowing of the artery that carries blood to the kidney, which can lead to kidney failure and hypertension. Aortic aneurysm: occurs when a section of the aorta weakens and dilates. If left untreated, it can rupture and cause massive internal bleeding. Cardiomyopathy: is the disruption of the heart muscle that can lead to arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Hypertensive heart disease: is the pathological enlargement of the heart, which can lead to heart failure and increase the risk of aneurysm. Heart failure: is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to the body, being one of the main causes of hospitalization in people over 65 years of age. Pulmonary heart disease (cor pulmonale) includes changes in the right ventricle of the heart due to breathing problems, which can lead to right-sided heart failure. Heart rhythm disorders: include variations in heart rate or rhythm, such as tachycardia (high heart rate) and bradycardia (low heart rate). Inflammatory diseases of the heart:

• Endocarditis: is inflammation of the inner lining of the heart and valves.

• Cardiomegaly: abnormal enlargement of the heart.

• Myocarditis: inflammation of the he