What is Cardiovascular Disease?
Diabetes Hands Foundation is proudly participating in American Heart Month. During this month we will be sharing important information to take care of our cardiovascular health. Do not hesitate to share your stories.
Heart and blood vessel disease — also called heart disease — includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke.
A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked by a blood clot. If this clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die. Most people survive their first heart attack and return to their normal lives to enjoy many more years of productive activity. But having a heart attack does mean you have to make some changes.
An ischemic stroke (the most common type) happens when a blood vessel that feeds the brain gets blocked, usually by a blood clot. When the blood supply to a part of the brain is shut off, brain cells will die. The result will be the inability to carry out some previous functions as before like walking or talking. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel within the brain bursts. The most likely cause is uncontrolled hypertension.