What are circulatory issues?
There are conditions that affect the way blood circulates around the body and the level of certain substances in the blood that can lead to plaque build-up. These issues don’t always present themselves in the heart, but they can impact the health of your heart and the way it functions.
Some common circulatory issues that can impact the heart include:
High blood pressure
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a condition that causes your blood to consistently push too high against your artery walls. Over time, this can cause damage to your arteries and lead to more serious complications.
There are two different types of hypertension:
- Primary hypertension – this is usually caused by habits and lifestyle choices.
- Secondary hypertension – this is usually caused by medical conditions or medications
Hypertension can occur at different moments and can come and go depending on the situation you are in. This includes:
- White coat hypertension – you experience elevated blood pressure in a healthcare setting, but it is normal at home
- Masked hypertension – you experience elevated blood pressure at home, but it is normal in a healthcare setting
- Sustained hypertension – you experience elevated blood pressure in healthcare settings and at home
- Nocturnal hypertension – you experience elevated blood pressure when you sleep
High cholesterol
High cholesterol (also known as hypercholesterolaemia) means there are high levels of the natural fatty substance called cholesterol in the blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but if levels are too high, they can cause fatty deposits to develop in your blood vessels. If these deposits build up, they can result in blocking your arteries, which can cause serious complications such as a heart attack or stroke.
Cholesterol is carried through the blood by particles called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
When LDL carry cholesterol, this is referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol. This type of cholesterol is damaging to your heart and can result in cardiovascular disease.
When HDL carry cholesterol, this is referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol. This type of cholesterol is good for the heart in high levels and can help prevent cardiovascular disease.
Inherited high cholesterol
High cholesterol doesn’t present symptoms and is usually only found by taking a blood test. However, if you have inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia), you may notice symptoms such as:
- Tendon xanthomata – swelling of the knuckles, hands, knees, and Achilles tendon
- Xanthelasmas – small yellow lumps seen in the inner corner of the eye
- Corneal arcus – a pale white ring around your iris (the coloured part of your eye)
High blood pressure rarely presents noticeable symptoms. Even if you feel fine, you should regularly check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, particularly if you’re at an increased risk.
Signs and complications
Having high cholesterol levels can put you at risk of developing further heart issues such as chest pain (angina), heart attack, or stroke. These complications are caused by a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries and blood vessels and result in a blockage.
Having high blood pressure for a prolonged period of time can cause serious health issues, including:
If you experience high blood pressure during pregnancy, it can cause complications. It is important to discuss your concerns with your doctor if you suspect you may have high blood pressure while pregnant.
Causes
There are many causes of high cholesterol and blood pressure, but both are highly influenced by habits and lifestyle choices.
Diet and exercise arguably have the largest impact on the development of these conditions. Eating foods high in saturated fats reduces the liver’s ability to process cholesterol, leading to higher levels in the blood. Being inactive also increases the level of ‘bad’ cholesterol, as being active helps reduce LDL cholesterol levels and increases ‘good’ HDL cholesterol levels.
Non-modifiable factors that may also impact high cholesterol and blood pressure include age, gender, ethnicity, and genetics.
Diagnosis
During your initial appointment, we will assess your symptoms and evaluate your medical and family history.
If we suspect you may have an issue, we will investigate further to determine what may be troubling you.
Depending on the results from these tests, we may conduct further tests to determine what may be troubling you.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the issues we may have discovered during testing and your individual needs.
Our first suggestion will be to implement key lifestyle changes to make sure you are as healthy as possible and tackle your concerns naturally first. These changes may include:
- Implementing a healthy diet and regular exercise routine
- Quitting smoking, drinking, and taking recreational drugs
- Building a healthy sleep routine
- Implementing stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, and tai chi
Maintaining a healthy heart can be challenging, especially if you have a busy schedule and no time to change your routine. We are partnered with Anthem Healthcare, which offers a series of expert-formulated health plans focused on improving the heart and achieving your fitness goals. Learn more here and start your journey to becoming your best self.
Frequently asked questions
Are lifestyle changes effective for managing these conditions?
Yes, they absolutely are. Making healthy changes to your daily routine, such as eating well, being physically active, and managing stress, can significantly improve both blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In many cases, people can reduce their need for medication or prevent their condition from worsening by sticking to consistent, heart-healthy habits.
What benefits does regular exercise offer for blood pressure and cholesterol?
Exercise helps lower your blood pressure by making your heart stronger and more efficient at pumping. It also raises good cholesterol (HDL) and lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. On top of that, regular movement helps control weight, reduces stress, and keeps your blood vessels healthy. Even simple activities, such as brisk walking a few times a week, can make a significant difference.
How can high blood pressure during pregnancy affect me?
High blood pressure in pregnancy can lead to complications like preeclampsia, which affects your organs and can be serious if untreated. It also increases your risk for problems later in life, like chronic high blood pressure or heart disease. For your baby, it can affect growth and increase the chance of early delivery. Regular checkups and managing your health with your maternity care team can help protect both you and your baby.
Common circulatory issues greatly affect the health of the heart. It is important I understand how your blood flows around the body as this can impact your overall heart health.
