Oral Pathology Abstract #1

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CD) is an extremely serious and detrimental group of

diseases which affects many individuals. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the

leading cause of death worldwide. In the U.S. alone, 652,091 individuals die each

year of the disease. This represents a staggering 27% of all the deaths reported in

the country. According to the American Heart Association, in 2006, 80,000,000

people in the U.S. were affected by some form of cardiovascular disease. These

statistics include heart conditions such as high blood pressure, angina pectoris, and

stroke. CD is a serious group of conditions that can lead to death. However, there

are ways to prevent and reduce the onset of a specific heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease as a whole is defined as any disease that affects the

heart or blood vessels. In most instances, cardiovascular disease is characterized

as atherosclerosis or arterial disease. This is due to the fact that if there is a

buildup of fat or disturbance in the arteries, then the heart is directly influenced and

affected as well. Other types of cardiovascular disease include: rheumatic heart

disease, infective endocarditis, valvular heart defects, hypertension, coronary heart

disease, dysrhythmias/arrhythmias, and congenital heart conditions.

Cardiovascular disease is attributed to a number of factors, many of which

that involve the lifestyle of an individual. These include an unhealthy diet, lack of

exercise, obesity and smoking. A diet that is numerous in fat and calories can

cause an individual’s fat cells to increase, thereby resulting in weight gain. The fat

begins to accumulate if exercise is not included in the daily routine, and, as a result,

the walls of the arteries thicken and constrict. This produces pressure in the arterial
vessels and increases the likelihood of the disease. Another cause of cardiovascular

disease is stress and anxiety. Individuals who have a tendency to experience

extreme anxiety and stress, tend to show signs of high blood pressure, a

contributing factor to CD. (NEXT TALK ABOUT AFFECTS OF SMOKING AND HOW IT

RELATES) Although there are many causes of cardiovascular disease that contribute

to the development of heart disease, prevention is possible with the right

knowledge.

It is simple: if individuals learn how to eat healthy, exercise, refrain from

smoking, and manage their stress, they significantly decrease their chances of

developing some form of heart disease. The key to CD prevention is the

management of specific risk factors. Although some risk factors such as genetic

predispositions, age, race, and gender cannot be modified, lifestyles can change.

Some examples are hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, tobacco and cigarette

use, diets high in calories, cholesterol, fat and sodium, and even periodontal

disease. Research suggests that the influence of periodontitis in cardiovascular

disease is great. Inflammation occurs and as it accumulates, it increases the risk of

developing a cardiovascular condition.