The circulatory system, composed of The heart And blood vessels, is one of the most important to guarantee life. Its correct functioning ensures that oxygen, nutrients and hormones are transported to each body cell. However, diseases that affect their performance are common and have fatal consequences.
Health specialists and professionals know how cardiovascular disease To all those that are related to problems with the heart and blood vessels, elements that make up the circulatory system. According to the Pan American Health Organization, More people die every year due to cardiovascular diseases than for any other cause.
The risk of suffering from this type is greater when there is a unhealthy foodlow consumption of fruits or vegetables, high salt consumption, sugars and harmful fats. Food, in general, is one of the most important risk factors for this system.
Among the most common diseases are:
Arterial hypertension
According to data from the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, during 2022, arterial hypertension was in the first place in the list of the most frequent health care of said institution. In that year, 904 thousand 444 consultations were held, equivalent to 16.8 percent of the 5 million 386 thousand 268 consultations made.
Arterial hypertension is the increase in blood pressure in blood vessels, according to César Gerardo López, cardiologist of the IGSS External Disease Consultation Unit. It is detected by having measurements above 130 over the 80 millimeters of mercury.
“Hypertension is among the most common chronic medical conditions characterized by a persistent elevation of blood pressure. It is one of the most important comorbidities that contribute to the development of a stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure and renal failure, ”says Abner Josué Martínez, doctor and surgeon.
The symptoms of this condition include intense headaches, dizziness or vertigo, blurred vision or visual changes, confusion and fatigue. However, to perform a precise diagnosis, the person’s pressure must be monitored in at least two visits to the medical office.
López recommends periodic reviews from 12 years of age, because there is a trend rises in cases that affect adolescents, including children.
Heart failure
This problem occurs when the heart fails to pump blood at an adequate pace according to tissue requirements. Some of its symptoms are: difficulty breathing when making efforts or resting, difficulty breathing when lying down, chest pain, tachycardiafatigue or general weakness.
Likes Heart failure can be caused by an acute heart attack as a result of hypertension. In addition, it generates discomfort such as lack of air, derived from emotional and work stress.
Coronary heart disease
It is one of the main causes of death in which arteries that supply blood to the heart narrow or obstruct, generally caused by the accumulation of atherosclerosis plate reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.
According to Martínez, this is considered a medical emergency and the symptoms to be identified are the following:
- Pain or pressure in the sudden and intense chest
- Jaw pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Sweating
Vascular stroke
An accident occurs when there is suddenly a neurological deficit caused by the interruption of blood flow. This produces cell death. This happens suddenly.
These are some of the symptoms to identify a stroke:
- Sudden appearance of numbness of half of the body
- Sensation alteration (touch, taste, smell)
- Visual loss
- Double vision
- Slow and confusing
- Facial asymmetry
- Difficulty in march
- Alteration of the state of consciousness
How to prevent diseases of the circulatory system
Doctors recommend performing periodic medical controls to prevent cardiovascular diseases and, in case of diagnosis, keep them under control. It is important to avoid self -medication, since this can aggravate the condition of the person.
Given the appearance of symptoms, a health center must be used to determine their origin and receive timely care, to prevent complications.
“These diseases are considered of multifactorial origin both by non -modifiable factors and genetics, sex and age, as well as modifiable risk factors such as diet, physical activity, stress, alcohol consumption, weight, among others,” Martínez points out. The interaction between these factors can result in one of these diseases, so prevention actions must focus on improving modifiable risk factors. For example, adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Maintain a balanced diet, physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, abandon smoking and alcohol consumption, reduce stress are recommended habits.