Causes of Cardiovascular Disease

Any disease that affects the normal functioning of blood vessels, arteries, veins and the heart are categorized under cardiovascular diseases. They are also called as heart diseases. There are approximately 60 types of cardiovascular diseases and they have become the number one cause of death in the U.S. and European countries. According to a study, deaths in the USA, due to cardiovascular diseases account for 27% of the total deaths each year.

Heart attacks, strokes, angina, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and aneurysm are few of the cardiovascular diseases. Some of the causes of cardiovascular diseases are given below.

Smoking - A Cause of Cardiovascular Disease
Often the statutory warning "Smoking is injurious to health" is ignored. It is least effective for smokers unless some dangerous disease either kills them or affects them chronically. Every year, the number of deaths resulting from this 'brown plague' is increasing drastically. According to a study, smoking 16 cigarettes per day is loosing nearly six and a half years of life! Be it the cigarette, pipe, cigar or hookahs, all forms of smoking are equally harmful.

How does Smoking Cause Cardiovascular Disease?
What makes smoking so harmful? Tobacco, most commonly found in cigarettes, is obtained from leaves of the plant Nicotiana tabacum. The leaves of this plant contain nicotine, an alkaloid that is responsible for the addiction. Nicotine enters the bloodstream when we smoke and directly goes to the brain. This is why people derive a good-feeling when they smoke, but simultaneously it opens the door for addiction. Each cigarette contains nearly 1 mg of nicotine. But, if a smoker smokes 20-30 cigarettes per day, the amount of nicotine entering the body can be disastrous. Smoking increases the heart beat and it is one of the main causes of high blood pressure. Certain carcinogen, such as carbon monoxide found in tobacco, form carboxyhemoglobin when it combines with hemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin decreases the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Narrowing of arteries, blockage of blood vessels and high cholesterol levels are the negative effects of smoking that paves the way for cardiovascular diseases.

Unhealthy Diet - A Cause of Cardiovascular Disease
A famous quote says, "To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art." How often we ignore the latter part of this message and invite cardiovascular diseases to affect our lives. An unhealthy diet is a major risk factor for chronic cardiac diseases. It is not difficult to figure out the diets that are unhealthy. Fast food and beverages containing colorants and preservatives are harmful for the heart. Fast foods are responsible for obesity of the millions of Americans.

A study has revealed that eating habits of teens and adults in America are very unhealthy. Healthy diet such as green vegetables and fruits are not an integral part of their diet. This makes them vulnerable to heart diseases.

Alcohol and Drugs also Cause Cardiovascular Disease
It has been found that very mild consumption of alcohol helps to decrease the risk of heart attacks as it increases HDL or good cholesterol level in the body. However, alcoholism can be devastating. Alcohol addiction can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, alcoholic cardiomyopathy and strokes. If a person finds it hard to quit alcohol, then he/she should join an alcohol rehab center.

Drug addiction is another cause of cardiovascular diseases. Narcotics such as heroin, cocaine and other similar hard drugs cause contraction in the heart valve and weakens the circulatory system.

Sedentary Lifestyle
Physical activity is absolutely necessary for the human body. Exercises must be a part of our daily life, but sadly enough we claim to have no time for things that matter most. Sedentary lifestyle and long work hours has made us highly susceptible to cardiac diseases. Workouts, be it at the gym or at your home, triggers faster blood flow and strengthens the ligaments and muscles. Swimming, cycling, jogging etc., should be incorporated in our daily routine. Cardiovascular exercises are especially advised for people who have heart problems.

Genetics and aging are also known to be risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, but the fact is that both are only risk factors and not exact causes. Healthy living can go a long way in curing cardiovascular diseases. It is extremely important that we put a check on our lifestyle so that we can enjoy all the gifts that life has to offer.