Cardiovascular disease, commonly known as heart disease, encompasses a range of conditions that affect the heart. These conditions include problems with the blood vessels, structural abnormalities, and the formation of blood clots.

Here are some key factors to be aware of cardiovascular disease:

1) Types of Cardiovascular Diseases:

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): CAD, also known as coronary artery disease, is a common form of heart disease. The accumulation of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the coronary arteries, impacts the heart muscle.
• Heart failure: The inability of the heart to pump blood effectively may be due to either weakened heart muscles or the stiffening of the heart chambers.
• Cardiac arrhythmias: These heart rhythms aren’t consistent and can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
• Valvular Heart Disease: Blood flow within the heart can be affected by damage or defects in the heart valves.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): PAD occurs when plaque accumulates in the arteries outside the heart, usually in the limbs, and decreases in blood flow.

2) Risk factors:

• Modifiable risk factors: These factors can be controlled or changed, like having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, not being physically active, being overweight, and having diabetes.
• Non-Modifiable Risk Factors: These factors are within our control and can be altered, such as having hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels, smoking, lack of physical activity, being overweight, and having diabetes.

3) Causes:

• Atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) on the inner walls of arteries, is commonly linked to cardiovascular diseases. This accumulation of plaque leads to the narrowing and hardening of the arteries.
• Risk factors play a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis and other health issues that may eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases.

4) Symptoms:

Cardiovascular diseases can have different symptoms depending on the specific condition. Some common symptoms may include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, experiencing fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, and swelling in the legs or abdomen.

5) Diagnosis:

To diagnose a condition, doctors usually rely on a combination of factors such as the patient’s medical history, a physical examination, blood tests, imaging studies such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and angiograms, along with other specialized tests.

HIV/AIDS is a global problem, affecting many lives since its discovery in the 1980s. Despite progress, misconceptions and biases persist. This blog aims to explore HIV/AIDS, covering its origins, transmission, prevention, treatments, and recent research.

Common myths about HIV:

1) Casual Contact Myth:

Myth: HIV spreads through casual contact.

Fact: You can’t catch it by giving hugs, shaking hands, or sharing utensils.

2) Kissing Myth:

Myth: You can get HIV through kissing or saliva. 

Fact: HIV can’t spread through kissing or saliva.

3) HIV vs. AIDS:

Myth: HIV and AIDS are the same. 

Fact: If HIV is left untreated, it can progress to AIDS. However, it’s important to note that not everyone who has HIV will develop AIDS.

4) Group Affiliation Myth:

Myth: Only certain groups get HIV 

Fact: Engaging in risky behaviors puts anyone at risk

5) Death Sentence Myth:

Myth: Having HIV used to be considered a death sentence.

Fact: With treatment, HIV is manageable, allowing a healthy life.

6) Public Facilities Myth:

Myth: You can catch HIV by using public facilities.

Fact: This is not transmitted through toilets and swimming pools.

1. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus):

Definition: HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS.

Transmission:

HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing contaminated needles, from an HIV-positive mother to her baby during childbirth or breastfeeding, and rarely through blood transfusions or organ transplants (now uncommon due to screening procedures).

Symptoms:

In the initial phase of HIV infection, people might go through symptoms similar to the flu. However, HIV often advances without any noticeable symptoms. As the immune system weakens, more severe symptoms and illnesses can occur.

2. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome):

Definition: AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. It is characterized by severe damage to the immune system, making the person susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.

Criteria for diagnosis:

When a person’s CD4 cell count falls below a certain level or when they experience certain opportunistic infections or cancers that occur in association with advanced HIV disease, a diagnosis of AIDS is made.

Symptoms:

• AIDS defines several symptoms, such as significant weight loss, persistent diarrhea, frequent fevers, and infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia that take advantage of a weakened immune system.