The circulatory system plays an important role of transporting nutrients, oxygen and hormones to all body parts. Heart, blood and blood vessels are the major organs that facilitate this transport. Learn more about the circulatory system disorders and treatment in the article below.
The circulatory system does the work of distributing blood and lymph fluids throughout the body. Problems in the functioning of this complex system may lead to different types of diseases. Heart, arteries, veins, lymph vessels, etc. are the different parts of this system. The circulatory system diseases and treatment therefore, revolve around the health of these elements. Any problem in the working of arteries and veins results into complications which may in turn affect the functioning of other body organs. Let us understand more about these diseases through this article.
Diseases of Circulatory System
Most of the circulatory system diseases are associated with the functioning of heart. The important human circulatory system diseases and treatments are presented in the paragraphs below.
Arrhythmia
This disease is characterized by abnormal beating of heart. Sometimes, the heart slows down while in some cases it becomes suddenly fast. One can also experience a condition in which the heartbeat is skipped. Structural defects in the heart vessels (congenital heart defects) can lead to problems like arrhythmia.
The treatment measures for arrhythmia mainly include use of medications and surgery, etc. Beta blockers like atenolol and metaprolol prove to be useful in treating slow heartbeat. Amongst the medical procedures used for treating arrhythmia, the installation of pacemakers is an important one. This device makes use of electrical impulses and thereby helps the heartbeat at a normal rate.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
In this disease valves inside the leg veins get damaged, which increases the blood pressure above normal level. Blood clots which develop in veins is the main cause of chronic venous insufficiency. Another cause of this disease is the swelling and inflammation of veins; this condition is referred to as phlebitis. Itching is one of the major symptoms observed in chronic venous insufficiency. Other symptoms associated with skin are thickening, discoloration, inflammation, etc.
There are many different treatment measures used for chronic venous insufficiency and manual compression lymphatic massage therapy is the important one. Patients are also asked to wear medical stockings while walking that aids in quick recovery.
Angina
Angina results from obstruction of blood vessels of heart; it causes restricted blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Angina is amongst important circulatory system disorders. Chest pain is the main symptom associated with this heart disease. Based on the occurrence of chest pain, this disease can be classified as stable and unstable angina.
In stable form of angina, pain in the chest occurs frequently. A sudden occurrence of chest pain is observed in the unstable form of this disease. There are many different variations of the symptom of chest pain. A burning sensation, feeling of getting choked, tightness in the chest and other variations can be observed in angina. Causes behind angina are varied just like the symptoms observed in this condition. The important causes of angina are as follows: hypertension, diabetes, smoking, etc.
The treatment measures used for angina are aimed at increasing or restoring normal blood flow to the heart; vasodilators are therefore, used in the treatment. Medications like calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers are helpful in easing the pressure put on the heart; chances of blood vessels getting obstructed are therefore, reduced.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
It is a type of circulatory disease which hampers the functioning of veins and arteries that are present outside the heart and brain. Build up of fatty materials, hardening and other problems associated with veins and arteries can be observed in the peripheral vascular disease. One of the common symptoms of this disease is pain experienced at the time of walking; this condition is also referred to as claudication. Pain in feet experienced at the time of resting also is one of the symptoms.
The treatment that is recommended for this peripheral vascular disease deals with management of different health problems like hypertension, diabetes, etc. However, along with these treatment measures, specific problems like claudication can be treated with medications such as pentoxifylline and cilostazol. In order to prevent the clotting of blood vessels, the statins, clopidogrel and aspirin can be used.
List of Other Circulatory System Diseases
The circulatory system is associated with the functioning of almost all organs of our body. List of diseases associated with circulatory system is therefore, a long one. The names of circulatory system diseases presented below should be useful for the readers.
Disease | Description | Treatment |
Acute Coronary Syndrome | The symptoms of coronary syndrome are unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and ST-elevation myocardial infarction. | Nitroglycerin and aspirin are the medications used in the treatment of this syndrome. |
Endocarditis | Here, the inner layer of heart is inflamed. This disease is of two types i.e. infective and non-infective. | Antibiotics are used in the treatment of infective endocarditis. Replacing the heart valve is another treatment measure used for endocarditis. |
Conceptual Apraxia | The human brain possesses an ability to organize work that involves use of different motor skills. In conceptual apraxia, this ability of organizing tasks is lost. | It is hard to say anything about the treatment or recovery of this disease at present. The problem might just get cured without any medical help. |
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis | In this condition, the pulmonary valve opens only incompletely. The discharge of blood that comes to lungs from the right ventricle is therefore, affected. | Surgery of the valve is the treatment used for pulmonary stenosis. Replacement of the valve also is one of the treatment measure being adopted. |
Thrombophlebitis | It is a condition in which blood clots develop in the veins of arms and especially legs. This condition mostly results from inactivity for a long time. | Pain medications are primarily used for the treatment of thrombophlebitis. Preventing the formation of clots is necessary; in order to stop clot formation, anticoagulants are used. |
Ventricular Tachycardia | In ventricular tachycardia, heartbeat rises above the normal level. The fast rhythm of heat beat responsible for ventricular tachycardia originates from ventricles. | The treatment for ventricular tachycardia is given only in emergency. Otherwise, this condition is not a cause of concern. Cardioversion, CPR and anti-arrhythmic medications are used for treating emergency situations. |
Temporal Arteritis | In this disease, blood vessels in the neck region are damaged. Defect in immune response is said to be the cause of temporal arteritis. The exact cause is however, not known. | Corticosteroids which mitigate the damage caused to tissues is recommended for treatment of this disease. |
That was an overview of the important circulatory disorders and treatments for the same. Keeping the circulatory system free of cholesterol clogging is one of the best preventive measures one can follow for all heart diseases.