Why do symptoms of vascular diseases occur?
The total length of all blood vessels in an adult exceeds 95,000 km. Veins, arteries, and capillaries penetrate the body and provide blood inflow and outflow. Initially, the walls of blood vessels are strong and dense, they can easily withstand blood pressure. However, for various reasons, the walls lose their elasticity, lipid deposits form on them, and the person experiences symptoms of vascular disease.
Vascular diseases occur under the influence of such factors: congenital defects, complications after inflammatory processes, intoxication, trauma, metabolic disorders, etc. A common cause of vascular damage is atherosclerosis. It becomes the root cause of many diseases of the cardiovascular system. Atherosclerosis affects the vascular walls and impedes normal blood flow, causing occlusions. Cholesterol plaques weaken vascular tissue, which leads to their dissection and the formation of aneurysms.
Holter ECG monitoring
This examination is a continuous recording of heart function on an ECG throughout the day - using a special portable device that is attached to the patient. During the study, the patient is recommended to lead a normal lifestyle - for the most accurate result.
A holter is a small device that is attached to the patient’s belt; the sensors are attached to the chest. The procedure itself is automated; the patient does not need to do anything with the device. During Holter monitoring, the patient keeps a diary of activity and rest, and notes his well-being. After the device is removed, the data from the device and from the patient’s diary are entered into a special program in which this information is analyzed and a daily cardiogram is displayed.
Daily monitoring allows you to track the dynamics of a person’s heart over a longer period of time than with a conventional ECG or measuring blood pressure. As a result, we get a much more complete and reliable picture.
24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).
ABPM is an automatic measurement of blood pressure for a day or more (if necessary) at certain intervals, according to a given program (usually every 15 minutes during the day and 30 minutes at night). A cuff for measuring blood pressure is placed on the patient's shoulder, connected to a portable monitor of small size and weight (about 200 grams), which the patient wears on his belt. Measurements are carried out on an outpatient basis, during the patient’s normal activity. The system provides automatic measurement of pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure at set time intervals, on the basis of which average daily blood pressure and pulse values during the day and night are calculated, the degree of nighttime decrease and morning increase in blood pressure, response to physical activity and psycho-emotional stress is determined, the degree and duration of hypertensive load on target organs, variability of pressure and pulse during the day, episodes of hypotension are detected. For a more accurate assessment, the patient is asked to keep a diary in which he describes his well-being and complaints during the examination, his activities, physical activity, indicates the time of taking medications, notes the time of sleep and awakening. The only limitation for the patient during ABPM is the need to relax the arm on which the measurement is being taken for more accurate registration.
The technique is simple, painless and very informative. It increases the accuracy of assessing the true level of blood pressure, especially if the presence of initial, unstable arterial hypertension is suspected.
Ultrasound of the heart. During the examination, the doctor can evaluate the structural features of the heart, the condition of the chambers and valves of the heart, the aorta, the size of the heart cavities and the pressure in them, the thickness of the walls of the heart, the thickness of the myocardium, the contractility of the heart muscle, the speed of intracardiac blood flow.
Ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck is a screening examination for the presence of atherosclerotic changes in the walls of arterial vessels. An ultrasound will clarify the condition of the arteries and veins supplying the brain, which will allow us to draw conclusions about the risk of developing cardiovascular accidents, as well as see problems in the blood supply to the brain, neck, head and spine.
Vascular ultrasound is especially recommended for men over 40 years of age - unfortunately, in this category of patients there are often changes in the condition of the vessels, which can be determined thanks to this study.
Symptoms of heart vascular disease
The cause of insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle is atherosclerosis of the heart vessels. Because of this, myocardial tissue does not receive the required amount of oxygen and important nutrients. Against this unfavorable background, coronary heart disease (CHD) occurs. The main symptoms of hypoxia in coronary artery disease are angina attacks - periodically occurring pain in the heart or sternum, accompanied by shortness of breath and weakness.
The nature of the pain syndrome and its localization are different, that is, the symptoms of angina pectoris are individual. Depending on the functional class of angina, the conditions for the occurrence of an attack differ: if stable angina pectoris manifests itself during physical exertion, then in an unstable form, the condition is dangerous for the development of myocardial infarction and sudden death. Any manifestation of symptoms of angina pectoris is a reason to think about how to check the blood vessels of the heart and protect yourself from complications. The diagnosis is made only by a cardiologist after a series of examinations: ultrasound,
electrocardiography, coronary angiography, laboratory tests.
Methods for diagnosing the state of the cardiovascular system
Electrocardiogram (ECG) at rest. An ECG measures the heart rate and allows you to assess the condition of the heart muscle and the overall condition of the heart. This is usually a so-called screening examination - that is, one that is recommended to be performed regularly prophylactically, even in the absence of complaints. Unfortunately, it is not very informative due to its short duration, but we can “catch” the most serious pathological changes using an ECG.
If there are complaints or suspicion of diseases, it is recommended to perform more detailed, extensive tests.
ECG with physical activity (treadmill test). This procedure involves continuous ECG recording and blood pressure monitoring under conditions of stepwise increasing dosed exercise on a treadmill until a submaximal heart rate is reached (200 minus age). This makes it possible to identify possible ischemia (oxygen starvation) of the heart muscle, which is not detectable at rest, and to register existing heart rhythm disturbances (most often they lead to sudden deaths in athletes).
The study is carried out on a specially equipped treadmill. During the treadmill test, walking is actually simulated - a familiar type of exercise for any person. This is why most researchers consider the treadmill test to be a more physiological method of stress testing. Adhesive electrodes are attached to the chest and distal extremities to record ECG. Using a computer program, the slope of the track is adjusted, due to which the patient is given a certain physical activity with a gradual further increase. Simulates walking uphill. Along with the ECG, blood pressure is measured at certain intervals.
During the treadmill test, the patient must report the occurrence of pain and other unpleasant sensations. The study ends when a certain heart rate is reached, or due to a deterioration in the patient’s well-being. After stopping the procedure, the cardiogram and blood pressure readings continue to be recorded for about 10 minutes.
The value of any examination is characterized by the sensitivity and specificity of the method, which are quite high for the load treadmill test: according to various authors, the sensitivity of the treadmill test is 80–85%, the specificity is 83–88%.
The results of the treadmill test allow you to choose the most optimal treatment method - conservative or surgical, evaluate the effectiveness of therapy, give recommendations on household and professional physical activity, and create rehabilitation and training programs.
Symptoms of peripheral vascular diseases
When the vessels of the lower extremities are damaged, ailments occur that threaten loss of ability to work. The consequences of some of them, for example, obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, are gangrene and amputation.
The symptoms of vascular disease of the extremities have their own specifics - we have already written about this here. Signs of disease manifest themselves in the form of pain when walking, heaviness, a feeling of coldness, pale skin, erectile dysfunction in men. A common cause of these signs is atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. This group of diseases negatively affects a person’s quality of life, so at the first warning signs it is recommended to undergo an examination of the blood vessels of the legs. This includes physical examination, duplex ultrasound scanning, contrast or magnetic resonance angiography, and other imaging techniques.
The largest vessel of the circulatory system, the aorta, is susceptible to vascular diseases. Most often, aneurysms and atherosclerosis of the aorta occur in this artery. Symptoms of aortic lesions are varied: since the vessel passes through the chest and abdominal cavity, the patient may experience indigestion, chest and back pain. Most people do not notice the symptoms of the disease at all, so treatment of aortic atherosclerosis begins already at the stage of complications.
Regular comprehensive research: why it is useful
Prevention of heart and vascular diseases does not always protect against the influence of concomitant ailments and negative external factors. Treatment of any disease is best started in the early stages. In such situations, it will not cause unwanted side effects and will bring maximum positive effect.
Pathological conditions associated with malfunctions of the heart and blood vessels can be identified through examination. You need to undergo it in a medical facility at least once a year. The following will help identify the first symptoms of disease:
- electrocardiography, i.e. determining the correct rhythm of heart contractions;
- Doppler ultrasound, in which ultrasound makes it possible to analyze the functioning of the heart and its valves;
- daily monitoring of pressure and ECG, allowing to identify the occurrence of arrhythmia and increased pressure during exercise and at rest throughout the day.
People at risk should be especially careful about their health. They need to visit medical specialists every five to six months and undergo a comprehensive examination.
Monitoring changes in the body and a healthy lifestyle will help avoid the appearance and development of heart and vascular diseases. A person will be able to lead a full life, maintain and improve its quality.
Symptoms of cerebrovascular diseases
Damage to the arteries supplying blood to the brain leads to no less serious consequences. The consequences of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries are brain failure. A dangerous condition is stenosing atherosclerosis, when the lumen of the carotid artery is blocked, leading to a stroke. When the carotid artery is damaged, short-term ischemic attacks sometimes occur. In this case, vascular disease manifests symptoms in the form of speech disturbances, headaches, blurred vision, and numbness in the extremities of one half of the body. Read more about the symptoms of stenosing atherosclerosis at: https://endovascularclinic.ru/atherosclerosis/stenosing.
On the importance of timely diagnosis and prevention
Many ailments go undetected until severe complications occur. The chances of a speedy recovery are increased by timely diagnosis of blood vessels. Any symptoms of vascular diseases of the blood vessels are a reason to contact a specialist as soon as possible.
Prevention of vascular diseases is also very important. It is aimed at maintaining vascular health and preventing further development of diseases. You can get more detailed answers to your questions through a free online consultation with a cardiologist, which is available on our website.
Preventative therapy and support for body health
Anyone can prevent the development of vascular and heart diseases. Comprehensive programs that include diets, exercise, timely treatment of infectious pathologies and protection from emotional overload will be of great benefit. Exercise and diet will not save you from poisoning with toxic substances or genetic predisposition. However, they will help stop the filling of the blood with cholesterol and prevent the growth of plaques on the walls of blood vessels.
First of all, you should optimize your diet. Classic diets are quite suitable for fighting diseases. Spicy, salty, smoked, fatty, floury, and fast carbohydrates should be excluded from the menu. You will need to reduce the consumption of strong tea and coffee, and store-bought condiments (ketchup, mayonnaise) and sauces should be abandoned altogether.
For the prevention of diseases, fresh vegetables, seafood, fruits, hard cheeses, and dairy products are recommended. Wheat and oatmeal porridge, cabbage, bananas, and nuts will saturate the body with essential microelements.
Proper physical activity is an indispensable condition for disease prevention. No need to start with cross-country running and marathon running. To maintain health and improve immunity, visiting the gym, swimming pool and walking at the same pace in the fresh air is enough. Such activities should be enjoyable and become a pleasant habit. At the initial stages, sports activities are best done under the supervision of a trainer.
It will be useful to protect the nervous system from the effects of emotional stress. The rhythm of modern life is such that it is impossible to completely eliminate stressful situations. However, it is possible to mitigate the harm from their effects. To do this, you should get enough sleep, have a good rest, and be in nature more often.
A prerequisite for the normal functioning of blood vessels and the heart is the timely disposal of foci of infectious diseases. Inadequate or delayed treatment of influenza and sore throat can cause abnormalities in the functioning of the body.
