Cohort Follow-Up Studies: Cardiovascular Disease (cvd)

Cohort Follow-up Studies: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Valentina Barrett

Dr. Cynthia Davis

HSA535 Managerial Epidemiology

August 22, 2016

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) often called “heart disease” includes a number of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels of the heart. Cardiovascular disease usually refers to any conditions that cause the narrowing or blocking of blood vessels which can lead to heart attacks, chest pain or even stroke. According to the World Health Organization, CVD is the leading cause of death worldwide. It estimates that 17.5 million people reportedly died from CVDs in 2012.  CVD is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Nearly 75% of CVD deaths take place in low and middle income countries. Although heart disease is preventable, it is important to understand once you have heart disease it is a lifelong condition. There are procedures and other interventions that can help improve the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart but the arteries remain damaged.  It is so important to take early action to prevent and control cardiovascular disease. Risk factors for heart disease include unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol use. Poverty, stress and hereditary factors also are underlying determinants of heart disease.

Some examples of cardiovascular diseases include heart failure, arrhythmias, and heart valve problems.  Heart failure, most often referred to as congestive heart failure refers to a condition where the heart is not able to pump blood as well as it should, therefore the body lacks the amount of blood and oxygen it needs for performance.  Arrhythmias refer any irregularity in the beating of the heart which negative affects the hearts ability to deliver the amount of blood and oxygen the body needs. Heart valve problems (stenosis and regurgitation) refer to abnormalities in the opening and closing of the heart valves which also affect the ability of the heart to pump adequate amounts of blood and oxygen to the body.

Heart disease can be treated but not cured. As stated before, this is a lifetime condition once diagnosed with it. The diagnosis is based on the patient’s medical and family history, risk factors, a physical exam, and results of various tests and procedures. Some of the test and procedures may include blood tests, EKG, ECHO, Nuclear Stress Test, Carotid Ultrasound, Holter Monitor, Cardiac Cath, Coronary Angiography and Electrophysiology Study. Once diagnosed with CVD treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications, medical procedures, surgery and cardiac rehab.  The provider’s goals of treatment include releiving symptoms and preventing complications, then reducing risk factors to slow, stop or reverse the damage of coronary arteries by plaque formation. They may start medications to lower risk of blood clot formation. Patient may undergo procedures to widen or bypass clogged arteries. Lifestyle changes sometimes are all some patients need to prevent or treat CVD. Some lifestyle adjustments are smoke cessation, healthy eating, and physical activity.  Healthy ways to deal with stress is also beneficial in preventing cardiac events.  When lifestyle changes aren’t enough to treat CVD, there are many medications that can be used. “Many medications work to reduce heart rate and cardiac output, prevent/treat arrhythmias, decrease clotting ability of blood, thin blood to prevent clots, reduce plaque buildup, expand blood vessels to decrease blood pressure, lower cholesterol, increase force of heart contractions in heart block, cause body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination, and relaxes blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart” (How Heart Disease Treated).