Everything You Need To Know About Heart Disease

“The heart is the main organ of your cardiovascular system, which is a network of blood vessels that pumps blood throughout your body. In addition, it controls your heart rate and blood pressure, as well as other body systems. Family history, personal health history, and lifestyle all affect how well your heart works.”

About Heart Disease

In today’s world, heart disease is the leading cause of death. Heart disease can affect anyone, including youngsters. It impacts both men and women, and people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds are afflicted. Because heart disease affects such a huge proportion of the population, it’s essential that everyone understands the basics of the condition as well as the characteristics and symptoms to look for. Treatment of heart disease is largely determined by the type of heart disease and how far it has progressed.

Types of Heart Disease

There are many different types of heart disease, each with its own set of causes ranging from genetics to lifestyle decisions to health events that might affect the heart, such as damage from infection. Pre-existing medical disorders, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, might increase a person’s chance of getting heart disease. It’s a good idea to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of the many types of heart disease, regardless of the reason, so that any potential problems can be caught early and treated effectively. 

Here are some of the most common types of heart diseases mentioned below:

Coronary Artery Disease

As we all know coronary artery disease damages the heart’s blood vessels. The arteries around the heart, like the pipes in our homes, can build up plaque and constrict the path. This narrowing can lead to a full blockage, restricting blood flow to certain areas of the heart and perhaps causing a heart attack. While coronary artery disease is frequently identified after a heart attack, we should be aware of symptoms of heart disease that can aid in early detection, treatment, and prevention.

Signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease include:

• Pain, tightness, pressure, or discomfort in the chest (also known as angina)
• Breathing problems
• Pain in Neck, jaw, throat, and back
• Nausea (typically specific to women)
• Extreme exhaustion (typically specific to women)

Arrhythmias

As the name suggests, Arrhythmias are cardiac rhythm abnormalities. The heartbeat might be too slow, too rapid, or irregular due to arrhythmias. If the heart’s rhythm is “off,’” it may be unable to send blood to the rest of the body.

A few symptoms of Arrhythmias are given below:

• A “Fluttering” sensation in the chest
• Heart pounding (tachycardia)
• Heartbeat is slow (bradycardia)
• Pain or discomfort in the chest
• Breathing problems
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Loss of awareness or passing out

Heart Valve and Structural Heart Disease 

The heart contains four valves that help in pumping blood smoothly; structural heart disease affects these valves or the heart tissue. Many structural heart diseases are congenital, meaning they present from birth. Some structural heart diseases can develop later in life.  Blood cannot flow through the heart and out to the rest of the body when the valves or cardiac tissues are not really functioning properly. Blood, for example, can get stuck in the chambers of the heart and clot, which puts an individual at risk of a stroke.

If a person suffers from any below-mentioned symptoms of the heart valve and structural disease, must visit a doctor immediately:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath, particularly while active or lying down
• Heartbeat irregularity
• Swollen ankles or feet
• Fainting
• When using a stethoscope, an abnormal sound (heart murmur) is heard.

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when your heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet your body’s demands. This is usually due to your heart muscle’s inability to “squeeze” out enough blood with each beat. However, heart failure can occur when your heart becomes stiff and unable to fill up with blood efficiently between each beat.

Heart failure is most common in the elderly, although it can strike anyone at any age. It’s a dangerous condition that’s also very common. Many people with heart failure continue to have a full and active life for many years after their diagnosis.

In many cases of heart failure, initial damage weakens the heart muscle. To compensate, your heart beats faster and enlarges (stretches or thickens). Over time, the heart muscle begins to wear out.

Heart failure symptoms differ depending on the type of heart failure you have and a few of them include:

• Breathing problems
• Cough
• Feeling extremely tired and weak.
• Gaining weight (from fluid buildup)
• Ankles, feet, belly, lower back, and fingers swollen
• Around the eyes, puffiness or swelling
• Concentration or memory problems

The basic cause of heart failure (damage and weakness of the heart muscle) cannot be healed, but the symptoms can be effectively managed. Treatment and self-care can help you avoid experiencing worse symptoms.

Congenital Heart Disorder

Heart-related issues that arise while a fetus is growing are known as congenital heart disorder. Some cardiac problems remain undetected for years. This type of cardiac disorder develops when a baby is still in the womb. Some cardiac defects are significant and should be discovered and treated as soon as possible. Some people may go years without being diagnosed.

The anatomy of your heart might also change as you get older. This can result in a cardiac defect, which can cause consequences and issues. Others may be investigated on the basis of symptoms, such as:

• Blue-tinged skin
• Swelling of the extremities
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue and low energy
• Irregular heart rhythm

Note to keep in mind, If you feel you are having any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult a medical professional as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.

Possible Treatment for Heart Disease 

Treatment for heart disease varies depending on the type, but in general, lifestyle changes, drugs, and possibly a procedure or surgery are all options. Heart care experts work with patients to provide a detailed and tailored treatment regimen that may include:

Lifestyle Changes

• Limit your intake of fats, sweets, and processed foods by changing your diet to include more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• Regular exercise helps to maintain a healthy heart by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
• Smoking cessation: smoking puts us at risk for a variety of ailments, including heart disease. Stop smoking if you have not already.

Medications

In any type of heart disease, medication can be an incredibly beneficial and therapeutic resource. Prescription of medications may be given to:

• Assist in the management of a pre-existing ailment such as high blood pressure or cholesterol.
• Prevent the formation of blood clots.

Medical Procedure or Surgery

Heart surgery is particularly specific to the situation in the heart and maybe suggested to help enhance heart function or repair damage. They range in complexity from minimally invasive procedures performed in a heart catheterization lab to sophisticated Open-Heart Surgery and Heart Bypass Surgery.

If you have a family history of heart disease or having heart disease, never hesitate to ask your healthcare professional any questions or concerns you may have.

Prevention of Heart Disease

Regardless of your medical history, there are steps you can take right now to help avoid heart disease. Simple lifestyle adjustments are important, according to decades of scientific research. Some examples are:

• According to a recent study, eating a plant-based diet can have significant health benefits.
• Regular exercising
• Stop smoking 
• Pre-existing diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes should be managed.
• Keep a healthy weight.
• Manage your stress and anxiety, and don’t be afraid to seek medical advice.
• Meditation is a big topic right now, and for good cause! It has been proven to have a significant impact on our overall health.