Vascular system: how to maintain health

Vascular system: how to maintain health

I. Anatomy and physiology of the vascular system

1. Review: The vascular system, also known as the cardiovascular system, is a complex network of blood vessels, which ensures the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, hormones and immune cells to all tissues and organs of the body. It also removes metabolic waste, such as carbon dioxide, and plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis.

2. The components of the vascular system:

   • Heart: The central pump that provides blood circulation throughout the body. It consists of four chambers (two atria and two ventricles) and valves that regulate the blood flow in one direction.

   • Arteries: Vessels carrying blood from the heart to organs and tissues. They have thick, elastic walls that can withstand high pressure. The largest artery is the aorta that comes out of the left ventricle.

   • Arterioles: The smaller branches of the arteries that regulate the blood flow to the capillaries.

   • Capillaries: The smallest blood vessels, the walls of which consist of one layer of cells. It is here that there is an exchange of oxygen, nutrients and waste between blood and tissues.

   • Venules: Small vessels that collect blood from capillaries.

   • Vienna: Vessels carrying blood back to the heart. They have thinner walls than arteries and contain valves that prevent the reverse flow of blood. The largest veins are the upper and lower hollow veins that fall into the right atrium.

   • Lymphatic system: It is closely connected with the vascular system and plays an important role in immunity and removal of waste. It consists of lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymphoid organs.

3. Circulation:

   • System circle of blood circulation: Provides blood delivery to all tissues and organs of the body, with the exception of lungs. The blood saturated with oxygen comes out of the left ventricle through the aorta, branches into arteries, arterioles and capillaries, where gases and nutrients exchange. Blood, depleted with oxygen and saturated with carbon dioxide, returns to the heart through veins and veins flowing into the right atrium.

   • Pulmonary circulation of blood circulation: Provides gas exchange in the lungs. The blood, depleted by oxygen, comes out of the right ventricle through the pulmonary artery and enters the lungs, where carbon dioxide for oxygen occurs. Oxygen saturated with oxygen returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins flowing into the left atrium.

4. The regulation of the vascular system:

   • Autonomous nervous system: Controls the frequency of heart contractions, blood pressure and tone of blood vessels. The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the cardiovascular system, increasing the heart rate and narrowing blood vessels. The parasympathetic nervous system slows down the cardiovascular system, reducing the heart rate and expanding blood vessels.

   • Hormones: Different hormones, such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, angiotensin II and atrial sodium peptide (ANP), affect the cardiovascular system.

   • Local factors: Fabrics can distinguish local factors such as nitrogen oxide (NO), which regulate the tone of blood vessels.

II. The main diseases of the vascular system

1. Atherosclerosis:

   • Definition: A chronic disease characterized by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of arteries. Plains consist of cholesterol, lipids, calcium and other substances.

   • Causes and risk factors: High blood cholesterol (especially LDL), high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, genetic predisposition, age, male gender.

   • Development mechanism: Damage to the endothelium (internal lining of arteries) leads to the deposition of lipids in the artery wall. Inflammation contributes to the formation of plaques. The plaque gradually increases, narrowing the lumen of the artery and limiting blood flow. The plaque can burst, which leads to the formation of a blood clot and acute impaired blood flow.

   • Complications: Coronal heart disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction), a stroke, intermittent chroma, aorta aneurysm, kidney disease.

   • Diagnosis: Blood test for a lipid profile, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography (echocardiography), angiography, computed tomography (CT) angiography, magnetic resonance (MR) angiography.

   • Treatment: Change in lifestyle (diet, physical exercises, rejection of smoking), medicinal therapy (statins, anti -agents, antihypertensive drugs), surgical intervention (angioplasty, stenting, shunting).

2. Hypertonic disease (arterial hypertension):

   • Definition: A persistent increase in blood pressure is higher than normal values ​​(usually ≥ 140/90 mm Hg).

   • Causes and risk factors: Genetic predisposition, obesity, high salt consumption, alcohol abuse, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, stress, age, kidney disease, endocrine disorders.

   • Development mechanism: Violation of the regulation of blood pressure caused by various factors, including increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, impaired renal function and endocrine glands.

   • Complications: Heart damage (left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, coronary heart disease), stroke, kidney damage (chronic renal failure), eye damage (retinopathy), and peripheral artery disease.

   • Diagnosis: Measurement of blood pressure, daily monitoring of blood pressure (FMA), ECG, ECHOCG, blood and urine test.

   • Treatment: Change in lifestyle (diet with salt restriction, physical exercises, weight loss, smoking and alcohol), drug therapy (diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptors, calcium channels blockers).

3. Corny heart (coronary heart disease):

   • Definition: The condition characterized by insufficient blood supply to the myocardium (heart muscle) due to narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries.

   • Reasons: Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.

   • Forms: Angina pectoris (stable, unstable), myocardial infarction (with lifting the ST segment, without lifting the ST segment), sudden heart death.

   • Symptoms: Pain in the chest (angina pectoris), shortness of breath, weakness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness.

   • Diagnosis: ECG, echocardiography, stress test (ECG with physical exertion, myocardial scintigraphy, stress echocardiography), coronarography.

   • Treatment: Change in lifestyle (diet, physical exercises, smoking rejection), drug therapy (antianginal preparations, antipodigans, statins, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors), surgical intervention (angioplasty, stenting, playing).

4. Stroke:

   • Definition: Acute cerebrovascular disorder, leading to damage to brain tissue and neurological deficiency.

   • Types: Ischemic stroke (blockage of the artery supplying brain), hemorrhagic stroke (rupture of the artery in the brain).

   • Causes and risk factors: Atherosclerosis, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, smoking, alcohol abuse, age, genetic predisposition.

   • Symptoms: Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arms or legs (especially on one side of the body), speech impairment, visual impairment, impaired coordination, severe headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness.

   • Diagnosis: Computed tomography (CT) of the brain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, angiography.

   • Treatment: Thrombolysis (with ischemic stroke), surgical intervention (with hemorrhagic stroke), rehabilitation.

5. Diseases of the peripheral arteries (ZPA):

   • Definition: Diseases that affect arteries that supply the limbs (often the lower limbs), the abdominal organs and the brain.

   • Reasons: Atherosclerosis.

   • Symptoms: Moving lameness (pain in the legs when walking at rest), pain in rest, trophic ulcers, gangrene.

   • Diagnosis: Inspection, measurement of ankle-flare index (LPI), ultrasonic dopplerography, angiography.

   • Treatment: Change in lifestyle (refusal of smoking, physical exercises), drug therapy (antiplatelets, vasodilators), surgical intervention (angioplasty, noise).

6. Varicose veins:

   • Definition: The expansion and inquires of the surface veins of the lower extremities.

   • Causes and risk factors: Genetic predisposition, pregnancy, obesity, prolonged stay in a standing or sitting position, a sedentary lifestyle, age, female sex.

   • Symptoms: Visible expanded veins, pain in the legs, swelling, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, night cramps, trophic ulcers.

   • Diagnosis: Inspection, ultrasound duplex scanning of veins.

   • Treatment: Compression knitwear, sclerotherapy, laser coagulation, surgical removal of veins.

7. Thrombophlebitis:

   • Definition: Inflammation of the vein wall with the formation of a thrombus.

   • Types: Superficial thrombophlebitis, deep thrombophlebitis.

   • Causes and risk factors: Varicose veins, injuries, infections, pregnancy, childbirth, surgical interventions, prolonged immobilization, oncological diseases, thrombophilia.

   • Symptoms: Pain, redness, edema in the field of vein, seal along the vein.

   • Diagnosis: Inspection, ultrasound duplex scanning of veins.

   • Treatment: Compression knitwear, anticoagulants, anti -inflammatory drugs, surgical removal of blood clots (in rare cases).

8. Pulmonary artery thromboembolism (fatla):

   • Definition: Clogging of the pulmonary artery or its branches a thrombus, which is most often formed in the veins of the lower extremities.

   • Causes and risk factors: Thrombosis of deep veins of the lower extremities, surgical interventions, prolonged immobilization, oncological diseases, pregnancy, childbirth, thrombophilia.

   • Symptoms: Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, hemoptysis, heart heartbeat, dizziness, loss of consciousness.

   • Diagnosis: Computed tomography (CT) of the pulmonary arteries, lung scintigraphy, pulmonary arteries angiography, ECG, blood test for D-Dimer.

   • Treatment: Anticoagulants, thrombolytics, surgical removal of blood clots.

III. Prevention of vascular diseases

1. Healthy nutrition:

   • Restriction of saturated and trans fats: Contained in fatty meat, butter, cheese, fried food, pastries. Increase the level of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol).
   • Increased consumption of unsaturated fats: Contained in olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines). LDL cholesterol reduce the level of LDL cholesterol and increase the level of HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).
   • Increase in fiber consumption: Contained in vegetables, fruits, whole grain products, legumes. Reduces the level of LDL cholesterol and helps to normalize blood pressure.
   • Salt consumption restriction: High salt consumption helps to increase blood pressure. It is recommended to consume no more than 5 grams of salt per day.
   • Sugar consumption restriction: High sugar consumption contributes to the development of obesity, diabetes and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
   • Consumption of sufficient amount of potassium and magnesium: Contained in vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds. Contribute to the normalization of blood pressure.
   • Alcohol consumption restriction: Alcohol abuse increases blood pressure and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

2. Regular physical exercises:

   • Aerobic exercises: Walking, running, swimming, cycling. Improve the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol and increase the level of LDL cholesterol. It is recommended to engage in aerobic exercises at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity or 75 minutes a week of high intensity.
   • Power exercises: Strengthen muscles and improve metabolism. It is recommended to engage in strength exercises at least twice a week.
   • Stretching: Improves flexibility and reduces the risk of injuries. It is recommended that stretching daily.

3. Refusal of smoking:

   • Smoking: Damages the walls of arteries, increases blood pressure, reduces the level of HDL cholesterol, increases the risk of blood clots. Refusal of smoking is one of the most important steps in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

4. Maintaining a healthy weight:

   • Obesity: Increases the risk of hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of these diseases.

5. Control of blood pressure:

   • Regular measurement of blood pressure: Allows you to identify hypertension at an early stage and begin treatment.
   • Treatment of hypertension: Reduces the risk of complications, such as stroke, myocardial infarction and kidney disease.

6. Cholesterol level control:

   • Regular blood test for a lipid profile: Allows you to identify an increased cholesterol level and begin treatment.
   • Treatment of high cholesterol levels: Reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

7. Blood sugar control:

   • Regular blood test for sugar: Allows you to identify diabetes at an early stage and begin treatment.
   • Treatment of diabetes sugar: Reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

8. Stress management:

   • Chronic stress: Increases blood pressure and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
   • Stress management methods: Meditation, yoga, tai-chi, walking in nature, communication with friends and family, classes beloved.

9. Regular medical examinations:

   • Regular medical examinations: Allow you to identify risk factors for cardiovascular diseases at an early stage and begin preventive measures.

10. Take of medication as a doctor:

    • Take of medication as a doctor: It is important for monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as for the prevention of thrombosis.

IV. Additional tips for maintaining vascular health

1. Sufficient sleep: The lack of sleep can negatively affect blood pressure and blood glucose, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Strive by 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night.

2. Avoid long sitting: If your work requires a long sitting, try to take breaks every 30-60 minutes to stretch and walk a little. This will help improve blood circulation in the legs and reduce the risk of thrombosis.

3. Massage: Regular massage can improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which positively affects the health of blood vessels.

4. Contrast shower: The alternation of warm and cold water during the shower can train blood vessels and improve their elasticity.

5. Wearing compression knitwear: Compression knitwear can improve blood circulation in the legs and reduce the risk of varicose disease and thrombosis, especially with prolonged flights or standing.

6. Reasonable use of a bath and sauna: Visiting a bath and sauna can improve blood circulation, but caution should be observed, especially for people with cardiovascular diseases.

7. Prevention of infections: Infections can cause inflammation that can damage the walls of blood vessels. Follow hygiene rules and treat infectious diseases in time.

8. Optimism and positive mood: Studies show that positive mood and optimism can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

9. Social support: The presence of strong social support and good relations with friends and family can help to cope with stress and improve the general health, including blood vessels.

10. Herbs and additives (with caution and consultation of a doctor): Some herbs and additives, such as omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, hawthorn and ginkgo bilobe, can have a positive effect on the health of blood vessels, but before use it is necessary to consult a doctor in order to avoid interaction with drugs and side effects.

11. Regular pulse measurement: Knowing its normal pulse and its regular measurement can help identify deviations and consult a doctor in time.

12. Training and awareness: The more you know about vascular diseases and ways of their prevention, the better you can take care of your health.

V. Conclusion (for internal use, do not include in the article)

The vascular system plays a vital role in maintaining the health and functioning of the body. Caring for the vessels is a contribution to longevity and quality of life. Compliance with a healthy lifestyle, regular medical examinations and timely treatment of diseases will help maintain the health of blood vessels for many years.