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We Know: All about Heart Disease
What is Heart Disease?
The generic term heart disease includes several more specific heart conditions such as Coronary Heart Disease, Heart Attack, and other conditions
What is Coronary Heart Disease?
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), the most common type of heart disease, occurs when the coronary arteries, that supply blood to the heart muscle, become hardened and narrowed due to the plaque buildup. The plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) cuts off oxygen supply to the heart.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) can occur when the blood supply to the heart is reduced or blocked, depriving the heart of oxygen. This damage can cause irregular heart rhythms or even sudden cardiac arrest.
What other forms of Heart Disease can I get?
Other forms of heart disease include:
- Angina: chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood. It may feel like pressure or a squeezing pain in the chest, shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It may also feel like indigestion.
- Acute Coronary Syndrome acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina
- Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection where the aorta stretches or dilates (aneurysm) and ruptures (dissection)
- Arrhythmias Irregular, or abnormally fast or slow, beating of the heart
- Ardiomyopathy A weakening of the heart muscle or a change in heart muscle structure
- Congenital Heart Disease Malformations of heart structures, present during pregnancy or at birth.
- Heart Failure (congestive or chronic) is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to meet the needs of other body organs requiring a heart transplant.
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs Painful leg muscles, numbness, swelling in the ankles and feet, and weak pulse are often a result.
- Rheumatic Heart Disease damage to the heart valves and other heart structures due to inflammation and scarring caused by rheumatic fever, which occurs from streptococcal infection
How is Heart Disease Diagnosed?
Doctors can perform several tests to assess CHD in patients who are at high risk or have symptoms. These may include:
- ECG or EKG (electrocardiogram)
- Echocardiogram
- Exercise stress test
- Chest x ray
- Cardiac catheterization
- Coronary angiography
How is Heart Condition Treated?
To prevent heart disease you need to prevent and control high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. You should also avoid tobacco, moderate alcohol use, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and follow a nutritious diet plan.
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