In addition to the causes that can be influenced by every human being, there are factors that are hardly or hardly influenceable, such as: familial predisposition age congenital heart defect. All of these risk factors may be involved in the development of cardiovascular disease or heart failure.
1. Unfavorable blood lipid levels
These can be caused, among other things, by an unhealthy, one-sided diet with a high proportion of animal fats. Doctors also speak of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein)
2. Hypertension
When do you talk about hypertension? Blood pressure values below 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic in an adult are considered optimal. Physicians only speak of high blood pressure (hypertension) when the blood pressure exceeds values of 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic over a longer period of time. A classification of different degrees of severity of blood pressure can be found in the following table.
3. Nicotine consumption
Smoking cigarettes is not only harmful to the lungs but also poison for the heart and blood vessels.
Nicotine stimulates the heart to beat faster, increases the oxygen demand of the heart and has a narrowing effect on the vessels. The heart must therefore pump against increased resistance and thus provide increased performance to provide the body with sufficient oxygen and nutrients. In addition, smoking facilitates the formation of blood clots and thus increases the risk of thrombosis. Statistics show that smoking is a dangerous risk factor for heart attack, arteriosclerosis and stroke. For example, smokers suffer more heart attacks than non-smokers and often recover worse. Also, coronary heart disease occurs much more often among smokers.
4. Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus (Greek for "honey-sweet flow" and popularly called "diabetes") is a chronic metabolic disorder.
Glucose (simple sugar = glucose) is one of the carbohydrates and is the most important source of energy for the organism. Glucose is an important component of food and is obtained through the digestion and breakdown of carbohydrates eg starch (in cereals, potatoes, rice, fruit and fruit juices). Other important carbohydrate suppliers are cane sugar, lactose and the glycogen contained in the meat.
Glucose enters the bloodstream via the intestinal wall. The blood supplies all cells with the energy donor glucose. The glucose concentration in the blood is normally 60-110 mg / dl. With increased energy requirements (e.g. sports, physical work), a body-own control system ensures that this level does not sink too much. With a higher carbohydrate intake, the glucose level rises temporarily. The lowering of the blood sugar level is mainly caused by insulin.
Insulin is an endogenous hormone that is produced in the pancreas. In a healthy person, this hormone is released after eating carbohydrate-containing foods. It causes the cells to open their locks for sugar. There are different types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
About half a million people have this type of diabetes. Cause of this disorder may be a lack of insulin secretion from the pancreas or a congenital or acquired insensitivity of the body cells against insulin (insulin resistance). Both result in insulin not being able to properly handle its transport pickup.
symptoms:
- extreme thirst
- frequent urination
- loss in weight
Type 2 diabetes
This is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism . Due to a disorder of insulin secretion from the pancreas, insulin is missing after the meal. At the same time, insulin can not perform its transport task properly. This disorder is also due to a congenital or acquired insensitivity of the body cells to insulin (insulin resistance). If there is predominantly insulin deficiency in rather lean patients, this form is called type 2a diabetes. Here, the malfunction of the pancreas prevails in insulin production.
Much more common, however, in about 6 million people in Germany, type 2b diabetes occurs. Most of these are affected by overweight people, where the insulin can not work properly - the glucose transport does not work. The glucose remains as too high blood sugar in the blood. In the long term, glucose is excreted by the kidneys, which is noticeable in the urine as uric acid.
symptoms :
- strong thirst
- increased urination
- blurred vision
- cravings
- susceptibility to infection
- itching
- badly healing wounds on the feet
5. Overweight
Approximately 40% of Germans are too fat. If the person consumes more energy in the form of food than he actually consumes, he becomes overweight over time. Who wants to lose weight, must either eat less than he consumes or his energy consumption, eg. B. by sport or physical work significantly.
Of obesity is when the weight is well above the normal weight. Reference value for the normal weight is, inter alia, the body mass index , which represents the body weight in relation to the body length.
Consequences of overweight: metabolic disorders (diabetes, gout, high cholesterol). The risk of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, arteriosclerosis, fatty liver, thrombosis, joint disease, gallstones, increases significantly.
What you can do: You should always take your time for the food. Chew well and do no other activities on the side. It is best to take five small meals a day. Always drink a large glass of liquid before eating, which reduces your appetite.
With every diet you should drink a lot. Each diet should be accompanied by regular physical activity. The only sensible diet consists of a reduced-calorie mixed diet of a balanced diet with many fresh products. Unilateral diets are not recommended as they usually cause a lack of certain nutrients, vitamins or minerals and do not lead to a permanent change in dietary habits.
Laxatives (e.g. with senna leaves), dehydrating agents (e.g. algae extract, birch leaves, pineapple enzyme) or detoxification stones (e.g. senna leaves and birch leaves) only lead to short-term, increased water excretion. In the long term important minerals can be lost. In addition, the regular intake of laxatives leads to constipation. A real weight reduction is not the case here. Important is a permanent change in diet , to avoid eating errors in the future and to keep the lower weight.
6. Lack of exercise
An inactive lifestyle is a major factor in causing health problems. In particular, diabetes, back problems, overweight and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension are consequences of lack of exercise.
When physical activity is targeted, people of all ages can make a major contribution to preventing the development of disease and discomfort. For example, regular exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and reduces other risk factors of arteriosclerosis. Because sporting activities reduce blood pressure, weight and cholesterol levels. Sports such as Nordic walking, cycling, swimming, which are operated with moderation, ideally train the cardiovascular system.
7. Stress
Under stress, stimuli are summarized that go beyond the individual perceived as normal level of physical and psychological stress.
Detrimental stress (stress) is negatively experienced because the demands on oneself or those of the environment exceed their own abilities and possibilities.
Stress factors (stressors) are, for example, pressure to perform, lack of time, lack of sleep, noise or changes in life circumstances such as puberty, divorce, unemployment or relocation. Excessive demands can lead to physical and mental illness symptoms. Because in stressful situations, the body releases more hormones that stimulate physical reactions. Among other things, they increase heart rate and blood pressure and dilate pupils and bronchi. If the stressors last longer, the body reaches a state of fatigue that can have different effects.
Weight loss, sleep disorders, lack of concentration and depression are just a few of the consequences that can spread to high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart attack or asthma in the long term. Depending on the setting, stress is differentiated and perceived as follows:
Positive stress
A difficult situation is seen as a positive challenge that needs to be overcome. He expresses himself in high concentration and motivation and is the driving force for success.
Negative stress
A difficult situation is perceived as excessive demands. We feel at the mercy of the situation. There are no possibilities for action. In the long term, this negative stress makes you sick.
Common causes
Noise, sensory overload, mental stress, anger, disputes, illnesses, physical overexertion, performance, competition and time pressure, sleep deficit, events, e.g. marriage, birth, pregnancy, vacation
It comes to the following body reactions: increased perception of the sensory organs, increased release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine, pulse rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate rise, sugar as an energy source is released, increased blood coagulation ability, lower blood flow to the digestive organs muscle tension. As a reaction to the stress hormones and the blood pressure change, the following symptoms may occur:
- Physical stress
- Psychological stress
- a headache
- heart problems
- high blood pressure
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- allergies
- Tension / cramps
- sleep disorders
- unrest
- irritability