Causes of Heart Disease You May Not Know
There are various types heart disease (cardiovascular), from heart attacks to heart failure. Heart disease needs doctor’s treatment as soon as possible, because it can cause death. Therefore, it is important to know the causes of heart disease, as well as the various factors that can increase the risk this disease.
Common causes of heart disease
Common causes of heart disease are blockage, inflammation, or damage to the heart and surrounding blood vessels.
Generally, heart disease is caused by the presence of plaque. It begins with plaque on the coronary arteries, which over time builds up and hardens. This plaque will narrow and reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. At this stage, symptoms of heart disease will begin to be felt, one of which is chest pain.
Plaque that causes heart disease It can also rupture causing blood cell fragments (platelets) to stick to the affected area and form a blood clot.
This condition can narrow the coronary arteries and worsen symptoms. When a blood clot completely blocks the artery, a heart attack can occur. This plaque buildup usually occurs in people with atherosclerosis.
Other types of cardiovascular disease, such as endocarditis, are caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. In addition, cardiovascular disease can also be caused by birth defects. While in the womb, the heart is not fully developed.
Various risk factors for heart disease
On the other hand, there are many factors that cause a person to be more susceptible to cardiovascular disease than other people.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a common cause of heart disease is damage or interference with the function of the heart organ. This can occur due to the accumulation of risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, inflammation in the blood vessels, and high cholesterol or blood sugar levels.
The increase in blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels is influenced by various activities, activities, and environmental conditions around you. All these things you likely do or feel but don’t realize can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Risk factors for heart disease include:
1. Age
The risk of heart disease increases with age, regardless of other risk factors. The risk increases for men after age 45 and women after age 55 (or menopause).
As they age, the arteries may narrow and a build-up of plaque will occur. Blood clots that form can block blood flow in the arteries. This condition is what eventually causes heart disease in the elderly.
2. Total cholesterol levels
Total cholesterol (the amount of all cholesterol in the blood) is a risk factor for heart disease. Remember because cholesterol can form plaque that can build up in the arteries.
The theory is that the more cholesterol in the blood, the more plaque builds up and builds up. So, it can be concluded that the higher the total cholesterol level, the higher the risk of heart disease.
The range of cholesterol levels in the blood that you need to pay attention to, namely:
- Normal: less than 200 mg / dL
- Fairly high: 200-239 mg / dL
- High: 240 mg / dL and more
3. Smoking habits
Smoking can increase the risk of heart disease, in addition to triggering other health problems. The nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes harm the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries). This is possible, even if you only smoke occasionally.
Fortunately, however much or how long you have been smoking, quitting smoking will benefit your heart.
4. The condition of hypertension or diabetes
Having hypertension or diabetes makes a person more susceptible to cardiovascular disease. This is because hypertension (high blood pressure) can increase artery stiffness and plaque buildup.
The effect on the heart and blood vessels around the heart does not differ much in diabetes patients. Therefore, cardiovascular disease is touted as a complication of diabetes.
Unexpected heart disease risk factors
For more details, let’s discuss one by one the various unexpected things that can increase the risk of heart disease.
1. Noise
Sound noise level can be affect heart health so that it is the cause of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Starting at about 50 decibels, which is the equivalent of chattering noise and traffic noise, can raise your blood pressure and the likelihood of heart failure.
For every 10 decibel increase, your chances of heart disease and stroke will also increase. This may be related to how your body reacts to stress.
2. Number of children owned
Women who are pregnant more than once or have many children have an increased risk of heart disease, including an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, also known as AF. This is a conditionirregular heartbeat, which can lead to the formation of blood clots in the heart that lead to stroke, and other complications.
One study reported that women who were pregnant four times or more had a 30-50 percent increase in having AF compared with women who had never been pregnant.
During pregnancy, the heart gets bigger, the hormones are out of balance, and the immune system improves. This is considered to be a trigger for heart disease. However, further research is still needed to understand the relationship between the two.
3. Lonely
Having few friends and being unhappy with friendships or romance will make you feel lonely. Be careful, loneliness increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Feeling lonely is often associated with high blood pressure and other effects of stress. Therefore, you should expand your friendship, for example by joining a sports team. That way you will benefit from exercise and make more friends.
4. Frequent overtime
People who work at least 55 hours per week are more at risk of developing heart disease than people who work 35-40 hours per week.
Researchers explain overtime work makes a person spend more time at the office. This makes a person more stressed due to high work demands or exposure to noise and other chemicals.
Limited time at home due to overtime makes it difficult for someone to exercise or move more so that they are at risk of developing heart disease.
5. Gum disease
Gum disease can increase the risk of heart disease, not just causing problems with the mouth.
The reason is because the bacteria in the gums can cause inflammation or swelling in the gum area, which can eventually spread to the arteries around the heart.
In addition, this disease also worsens blood pressure, allowing plaque to form in the arteries. This causes the arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart) to become thickened due to the buildup of plaque.
This condition is called atherosclerosis, which makes it difficult for blood to flow to your heart and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
6. Shoulder pain
You definitely never guessed that shoulder pain to be the one cause increased risk heart disease.
A research in Journal of Occupational and Environmental MedicinePeople who have risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, are more likely to experience shoulder pain or rotator cuff injury.
The relationship between the two is still uncertain, but researchers say that treating high blood pressure and other risk factors can also help relieve shoulder pain.
Previous research has also found that people with carpal tunnel syndrome, Achilles tendonitis, and tennis elbow also have an increased risk of heart disease.
7. Watch TV too long
There is nothing wrong with watching TV while resting and relaxing at home. However, if watching tv too long can be causes of heart disease. If you are just hours in front of the TV snacking and in the same position, this can increase your risk of having heart disease.
Heart Association in America (American Heart Association) reported that being still or sitting in the same position for a long time is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
An inactive body is generally bad for your overall health, especially your heart. This makes you prone to blood clots.
Besides, when watching tv while overeating, you are more likely to choose junk food as a snack. It will also increase your risk for heart disease.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
