What body systems are affected by heart disease and stroke?

Summary

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  • Several risk factors can contribute to a person’s risk of coronary heart disease (also known as heart disease). Usually, heart disease is caused by a combination of risk factors rather than a single risk factor.
  • You can reduce your risk of heart disease by quitting smoking, following a heart-healthy eating pattern, being physically active, managing your weight, cutting down on alcohol and looking after your mental health.
  • Your doctor may prescribe medicines to reduce your risk of heart disease, depending on your level of risk and other health conditions.

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What body systems are affected by heart disease and stroke?

What body systems are affected by heart disease and stroke?

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

What body systems are affected by heart disease and stroke?

What body systems are affected by heart disease and stroke?

  • Allergy testing is used to find which substances provoke an allergic reaction.

  • Aortic stenosis may be congenital (present from before birth), but is often diagnosed during teenage years.

  • Barmah Forest virus (BFV) disease can cause joint inflammation and pain, fatigue and a rash of variable appearance. A full recovery can be expected. Most people recover completely within six months, although some people have intermittent symptoms for longer.

  • Healthy eating and lifestyle changes can help to manage high blood pressure.

  • Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can increase your risk of heart attack, kidney failure and stroke.

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Brain

A stroke can occur when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked. If the heart isn't working correctly, you become more susceptible to blood clots, which may cause an ischemic stroke. A stroke could kill brain cells in areas of the brain that control speech, strength and memory.

Lungs and kidneys

Heart disease affects the heart's ability to pump blood to other parts of the body. When blood pumps out of the heart, it goes to other organs and tissues in the body before returning to the heart and then traveling to your lungs to collect oxygen. 
If the heart is weak and cannot properly pump blood, fluid can begin building up in your lungs or kidneys. A lack of oxygen-rich blood in the kidneys disrupts the normal cycle of water and waste through the kidneys. This can cause swelling, or edema, in your ankles, feet and legs.

Heart valves

Heart disease can also affect your heart valves. Your valves may become too narrow to allow blood to flow forward, which can cause blood to flow backward into the heart. Heart valve problems can make you feel light-headed and fatigued. They can also cause chest pain and shortness of breath.

Arms and legs

PAD, or peripheral artery disease, is similar to heart disease in that arteries to the arms and legs can become narrow and restrict blood supply to your extremities. This restriction of blood flow can cause pain, numbness or a tingling feeling. Those with heart disease are at high risk for PAD and vice versa.

Care from head to toe

Heart care starts with regular visits to a primary care provider. Need a doctor? Find one today at jacksonclinic.org.

What body systems are affected by heart disease?

It's usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries (atherosclerosis) and an increased risk of blood clots. It can also be associated with damage to arteries in organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes.

Is stroke disease in circulatory system?

Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts.

What other body systems are seriously affected with heart failure?

Over time, blood and other fluids can back up inside other organs, including your lungs, liver, lower body or abdomen. This faulty pumping also means your body isn't receiving enough of the oxygen it requires.