One must be aware of his heart health. If you or your loved one is having a heart condition, or you just want to keep yourself updated to prevent heart issues in the future, then there is a lot of information here that you can benefit from. From heart issues in babies to heart failure in adults, here is a wide range of all the heart-related problem information.
Coronary Artery Disease
It is the most common type of heart disease. The one suffering from this does not get enough blood and which can lead to heart attack. It is fatal and is known to be the number one killer in the states.
It could be a shock when you find that you have Coronary Artery Disease. Most people find out when they have a heart attack. Even before cardiac arrest there are many ways in which you can slow the Coronary Artery Disease, and reduce the risk.
Causes of Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery Disease is caused when the arteries or atherosclerosis hardens themselves, it happens when the fatty deposits ( plaque) buildup inside the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that are known to carry blood rich in oxygen to various parts of the body. Atherosclerosis can affect any artery of the body. When it affects the ones that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart (the coronary arteries), it is known as Coronary Artery Disease. In this case the heart does not get the blood that it needs to work which result in weakening and even failure of the heart. Symptoms
Angina is commonly described as chest pain or uneasy feeling in the chest.
Breathlessness
Heart arrest. It is sometimes the first sign that the body shows in case of Coronary Artery Disease.
Diagnosis and treatment.
Physical examination and certain test can help find out the problem with the heart. Blood test, angiogram, ECG or EKG, chest X-ray are done to find out the condition and the cause of the condition. Family history is important here and the doctors can find the root cause of the disease in here in most of the cases. Treatment can include lifestyle changes like exercise, food and drinking habits which help controlling the situation to worsen. Medicines can help the diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure level which causes heart disease. Operations such as bypass or angioplasty are severe cases but may aid in such situations.
Heart attack
Heart attack happens when the blood flow to the heart is totally blocked. Failure of blood flow stops the heart from performing its necessary acts and it begins to die. Not all heart attacks are fatal, emergency care can restore the blood flow and save one's life. Doctors sometimes call heart attack MI (Myocardial Infarction), unstable angina or acute coronary syndrome
Why is unstable angina a problem?
Angina is a sort of chest pain or uneasiness in the chest, this happens when not enough blood is flowing to the heart. It can be dangerous thus it is important to pay attention to angina's symptoms, how to control it and when to call for help.
Look for signs, most common of them are chest pain or uneasiness, but there are some people who feel the pain, or a strange feeling in the jaw, neck, belly or the back. You should know your body signs and act immediately.
There are two types of angina:
Stable: Stable Angina is the one that shows a typical pattern. You can predict the happening, it mostly happens when your heart is not getting enough oxygen like when you exercise and it goes away when you rest.
Unstable: this type of angina comes in unexpected and resting may not help here. You need immediate doctor's attention in this case.
What should you do if you think you are having an attack?
If you are on medication take your medicine immediately and wait for 5 minutes, if the symptoms persists then call your doctors and wait for the help, do not drive yourself.
Heart failure
Heart failure happens when the heart muscles do not pump as much blood as needed. Failure does not mean that the heart has stopped it means that it fails to perform.
When the body does not get enough blood it tries to cover up for it by:
Holding on to salt and water, which increases the amount of blood in the blood stream.
The heart beating faster
Increasing the size of the heart.
Sometimes that body does such a good job that the body do not show any symptoms, but that does not happen for long and then the body becomes weak and one feels out of breath too often.
Causes of heart failure?
Common known causes of heart failure are:
Heart attack
High blood pressure
Coronary artery disease
There are other conditions that might lead to heart failure:
Cardiomyopathies- disease of the heart muscle
Diabetes
Pericardial disease- Disease of the sac which surrounds the heart (Pericarditis).
Heart valve disease
Heart problems since birth- congenital heart defect.
Arrhythmia- slow, fast or uneven heartbeats.
Abuses such as alcohol, nicotine which can damage the heart.
It is advisable that you consult the doctor immediately in such situations. Your body may be coping up but heart conditions are known to get worse with time.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation is when the heart fails to beat in a systematic rhythm; it is so as the two upper parts of the heart, the atria to fibrillate. This quivering disturbs the normal rhythm of the heart and its lower part called ventricles. It becomes dangerous as when there is a disturbed rhythm then the blood can get pooled on the atria which is more likely to form blood clots. These clots can even cause strokes.
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
Heart attack
High blood pressure
Coronary artery disease
There are other conditions that might lead to heart failure:
Medical problems like lung disease, thyroid problems, heart issues
Diabetes
Pericardial disease- Disease of the sac which surrounds the heart (Pericarditis).
Heart valve disease
Heart problems since birth- congenital heart defect.
Arrhythmia- slow, fast or uneven heartbeats.
Abuses such as alcohol, nicotine which can damage the heart.
Diagnosis and treatment
Physical examination and certain test can help find out the problem with the heart. Blood test, angiogram, ECG or EKG, chest X-ray are done to find out the condition and the cause of the condition. Family history is important here and the doctors can find the root cause of the disease in here in most of the cases. Treatment here includes blood thinner which helps prevent the strokes. Rate-control medicines that keep the heart from beating too fast. And rhythm control medicines that bring the heart rhythm back in control.
Cardioversion is sometimes used to bring the heart beat to normal. It is mostly done through medicines, but sometimes low-voltage electrical shock is used. Lifestyle changes can be very helpful here. Regular exercise is advised but under guidance and pulse control. Healthy and fresh diets are great in such cases. Stress should be avoided and one must keep away from smoking and other forms of drugs. Alcohol should be taken in prescribed quantities if needed.