Heart Disease
Heart disease may affect any of the heart functions and any parts of the heart, and the most common heart disease is coronary syndrome (or: Coronary syndrome) in its various forms and manifestations.
Coronary blood vessels are the blood vessels on the outside of the heart muscle and their function to deliver blood to the heart itself.
When does heart disease occur?
When there is a process of hardening (accumulation of a layer of mixture of calcium and fats) in the coronary blood vessels, or when there is a constriction in these blood vessels, it is possible that a narrowing occurs in their cavities, which impedes the delivery of blood to the heart muscle.
Any damage to the heart muscle or its ability to contract would cause a temporary or permanent decline in the ability of the heart to contract.
When the heart's ability to contract is impaired, there is a decrease in blood flow to vital organs in the body. This process of narrowing of the blood vessels causes angina pectoris, and if permanent damage to the heart muscle occurs then myocardial infarction is generated.
A person suffering from angina or myocardial infarction may feel pain or pressure on the chest wall, sometimes accompanied by sweating, a feeling of suffocation, shortness of breath, nausea, and a feeling of general weakness.
This situation constitutes an emergency that requires urgent medical intervention.
Treatment options in such cases are many and varied, such as drug therapy or catheters to open and widen closed blood vessels
But the best option in this case is prevention, such as not smoking, maintaining a balance of lipid levels in the blood, and engaging in physical activity.
Heart and circulatory system, how do they work?
Sometimes it may be necessary to transfer the patient to the operating room for a coronary artery bypass graft. This surgery can be performed quickly as an emergency surgery, or as a pre-planned surgery based on the results of various examinations that require surgical intervention.
The heart muscle may develop an inflammatory disease due to infectious heart disease caused by viruses, as a result of reactions involving the immune system, or as a result of alcohol and drug use.
An explanation about the heart
There are four valves in the heart, each of which may suffer damage and malfunction.
Basic heart valve disorders are classified into two groups:
Heart valve stenosis:
It affects the ability to pump blood and move it between the different parts (chambers) of the heart, which requires more pressure in pumping blood in order to reach the normal level that the heart normally pumps.
Heart valve enlargement:
Blood flow continues even while the heart valve is supposed to block blood flow, completely.
A dilated heart valve can be likened to a water faucet leaking out of water, while a narrowed heart valve can be likened to a water tap that does not open completely.
In the heart there is a conduction system responsible for transmitting the electrical signals that stimulate contractions of the heart, regulating the timing of systole, and regulating the relationship between contractions of the ventricles and the contractions of the atria.
Sometimes, there may be a defect in the work of the electrical transmission system that may be reflected in: acceleration of the heart rate, slowing of the heart rate, irregular heart rate, or the absence of any clear temporal relationship between the timing of contractions of the ventricles and the timing of contractions of the atria.
Heart disease in the heart valves may be congenital (congenital - congenital disease), and then it is expected to hear a heart murmur when listening to the sound of the heart.
It may be acquired as a result of various infectious heart diseases that cause damage, directly or indirectly, to the heart valves.
The process of hardening of the arteries, too, can cause damage to the heart valves. Signs and symptoms of valvular heart disease include: shortness of breath, decreased fitness and increased fatigue, coronary artery syndrome, arrhythmias and frequent fainting.
When suspicion of a certain type of heart disease arises, it is necessary to refer to the family doctor or to a doctor who specializes in internal diseases. Sometimes, according to various data, it may also be necessary to consult a doctor who specializes in heart disease (Cardiologist).
Symptoms of heart disease
Symptoms of heart disease vary according to the disease, and are as follows:
Symptoms of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Cardiovascular disease is caused by narrowing, blockage, or hardening of blood vessels, which causes the heart, brain, or other parts of the body not to receive enough blood.
Symptoms of cardiovascular disease include:
Chest pain (angina pectoris)
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Pain, numbness, weakness or a cold feeling in the legs and arms, if the blood vessels in them get narrowed
Heart disease symptoms caused by arrhythmia (arrhythmia)
An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmias may involve the heart beating at a higher rate than normal, less than normal or irregularly.
Heart disease symptoms associated with rhythm of the heart include:
Fluttering (twitching) in the chest
Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
pain in chest
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Fainting or a state close to syncope
Heart disease symptoms caused by a heart defect
Congenital defect in the heart can usually be detected within hours, days, weeks or months after birth. Symptoms of heart disease defects include:
Light gray or blue skin (cyanosis)
Swelling in the abdomen, legs or around the eyes
Shortness of breath while eating, which causes insufficient weight gain
Less severe birth defects are often diagnosed only late in childhood or even in adulthood.
Symptoms of congenital heart defects that do not pose an immediate life threat include:
Ease of shortness of breath, as a result of engaging in physical activity or sports
Ease of feeling tired, as a result of engaging in physical activity or sports
Fluid buildup in the heart or lungs
Swelling in the hands, ankles, or palms of the feet
Heart disease symptoms caused by cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy means that the heart muscle becomes thicker and stiffer. Sometimes, in the early stages of cardiomyopathy, no symptoms appear at all.
As the disease gets worse and worse, its symptoms may include:
Shortness of breath when exerting any effort, or even resting time
Swollen legs, ankles and feet
Swelling (expansion) in the abdomen due to fluid accumulation
Tired
Heart rhythm disorder - tachycardia, palpitations or fluttering
Dizziness and fainting
Symptoms of heart disease caused by infection
There are three types of heart infections:
Pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium), which is inflammation of the tissues (membrane) that cover the heart
Myocarditis, which affects the middle layer of the heart muscle
Endocarditis affects the inner membrane that separates the chambers and valves of the heart
Heart disease symptoms caused by infection in the heart vary, according to the type of infection, and include:
fever
shortness of breath
Weakness or fatigue
Swelling in the legs or in the abdomen
Changes in the frequency of the heartbeat
A dry or persistent cough
Skin rash or unusual spots
Symptoms of heart disease caused by a problem with the heart valves
There are four valves in the core:
Aortic valve
Mitral valve
Pulmonary valve
Ttricuspid valve
All heart valves open and close to direct blood flow through the heart.
Heart valves may be damaged by many factors leading to narrowing, leakage (abnormal flow or insufficiency) or incomplete closure (prolapse).
Heart disease symptoms caused by damage to the heart valves vary, depending on which heart valve is damaged, and include:
Tired
shortness of breath
Abnormal heart rhythm or hearing a heart murmur
Swelling in the palms of the feet or ankles
pain in chest
fainting.
Causes and risk factors of heart disease
Causes of heart disease
Risk factors that lead to heart disease include:
Smoking
Malnutrition
High blood pressure
Excessive cholesterol in the blood
Diabetes
Obesity
Lack of physical activity
Constant tension
Poor hygiene.
How the heart works
Understanding how and how the heart works facilitates understanding the causes of heart disease.
The heart is a pump, which is a fist-sized muscle organ located slightly to the left of the center of the chest.
The heart is divided into two sides, the left and the right. The goal of this separation is to ensure that the oxygen-rich blood does not mix with the oxygen-free blood. The oxygen-free blood is blue in color, and it returns to the heart after it has circulated in the body.
The right side of the heart consists of the right atrium and the right ventricle. It receives blood from the lungs and pumps it to them, through the pulmonary arteries.
The lungs refresh the blood and replenish it with new oxygen. As a result, it changes color and becomes red. The oxygen-rich blood passes from here (from the right side) to the left side of the heart, which also consists of the left atrium and the left ventricle. From there (from the left side) the blood is pumped into the body, through the aorta, to supply the various tissues of the body with oxygen and various nutrients.
The four valves in the heart are responsible for proper blood flow. They all function like gates into a fence. Valves only open in one direction and only when depressed. Each valve opens and closes once in every single heartbeat, or about once every second, at rest.
There are two conditions of the heart:
Systolic:
In this condition, the left and right ventricles contract, pumping blood into the blood vessels and through them to the lungs and the rest of the body. The right ventricle contracts just before the left ventricle.
Diastolic:
The left and right ventricles expand (relax) and fill with blood coming from the right and left atria. And then the cycle begins again.
In the heart, too, is an electrical wiring network responsible for the continuous heartbeat. The electrical impulses begin at the top, in the right atrium, and then travel in a special pathway to the ventricles, carrying orders to draw blood.
The transportation system is responsible for ensuring that the heart beats at a proper and consistent pace so that the blood, thanks to it, continues to flow in a cyclical fashion. The continuous exchange between oxygen-rich and oxygen-free blood is the process that keeps life going.
Causes of cardiovascular disease
The term "cardiovascular disease" refers to several types of cardiovascular disease. The name is also often given to damage to the heart or blood vessels from atherosclerosis - the accumulation of layers of fat inside the arteries.
Over time, the very high pressure on the arteries can make their walls stiffer (less ductile) and thicker, which may, at times, impede blood flow to the various organs and tissues of the body.
This process is called "arteriosclerosis" (or: atherosclerosis) and it is the most common type of this disorder, and it is the most common factor in the emergence of risks and causes of cardiovascular disease.
The factors causing this disorder (calcification of the arteries) are: an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, obesity and smoking.
These are all serious risk factors for developing atherosclerosis, which leads to the development of cardiovascular disease.
Causes of rhythm disturbance:
Common causes of arrhythmia, or diseases that may lead to arrhythmias, include:
Congenital heart defects
Coronary artery disease
Hypertension
Diabetes
Smoking
Excessive intake of alcohol and caffeine
Drug Addiction
Stress
Some non-prescription medications, certain medications require a prescription, some nutritional supplements and some medicinal herbs
Heart valve disease.
It is unlikely that a healthy person has a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder with a normal and healthy heart, without outside intervention such as an electric strike or drug use. This is because the heart in a healthy person does not have any abnormal position that could cause arrhythmias (arrhythmias).
In a sick or deformed heart, the electrical impulses may not function normally and as they should, which greatly increases the likelihood of an irregular heart rhythm.
Causes of heart defects and abnormalities:
Heart defects and abnormalities usually arise and develop while the fetus is in the womb. About a month after conception, the fetus’s heart begins to grow. At this point, heart abnormalities can begin to form.
Researchers do not know for sure what causes birth defects, but they believe that some diseases, certain medications and genetic factors play a role.
Causes of heart disease and cardiomyopathy:
The exact cause of cardiomyopathy (dilated or enlarged heart muscle) is unknown.
There are three types of cardiomyopathy:
Weak or very wide heart muscle
Very thick cardiac muscle
Myocardium is stiff (stiff) and limited
Cardiac causes of infections (infections):
Infections in the heart, such as pericarditis, myocarditis and endocarditis, occur when a stimulant agent, such as a virus, bacteria (germ) or some chemical, reaches the heart muscle.
The most common factors causing heart infections include:
Bacteria (germs)
Viruses
parasites
Medicines that may provoke an allergic (allergic) or toxic reaction
Other diseases.
Causes of valvular heart disease:
Many factors increase the risk of heart disease in the valves (Valvular heart disease).
Heart disease in the heart valve can be congenital (congenital), or it may be caused by some diseases, such as: Rheumatic fever, endocarditis, connective tissue diseases, some drugs and radiation therapy (Radiation therapy) For cancer.
Heart disease complications
One of the most common complications of heart disease is congestive heart failure.
Other complications associated with heart disease include:
Heart attack
brain attack
Aneurysm - a local aneurysm of the walls of blood vessels
Peripheral arterial disease
Sudden cardiac arrest
Diagnose heart disease
Diagnose heart disease
The tests needed to diagnose heart disease are related to the type of disease the doctor suspects.
In all cases, the doctor will likely perform a physical examination and ask questions about the medical history of the patient and his family, before deciding to have any further testing.
Tests to diagnose heart disease include:
Blood tests
Electrocardiogram (Electrocardiogram - E.K.G)
Holter Monitor
Echocardiography
Cardiac catheterization
Heart biopsy
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
If the results of an echocardiogram aren't clear, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound examination through your esophagus.
For this test, the patient swallows a flexible tube containing a small transducer, about the size of an index finger, that reaches the throat. The converter transfers images from the heart to a computer screen.
Treating heart disease
There are different types of heart disease treatment, such as lifestyle and habits changes, drug therapy, surgical treatment or other medical procedure.
Treatment of cardiovascular disease
The goal of treating cardiovascular diseases is, often, to open the narrowed or blocked arteries that cause symptoms.
The type of treatment depends on the severity of the stricture and may include lifestyle and habits changes, certain medications, certain medical procedures or surgery.
Treating heart rhythm disorders
Treatment of heart rhythm disorders can include medications, medical procedures, an artificial pacemaker to regulate the heartbeat, implantation of a defibrillator, surgery and stimulation of the vagus nerve (vagal stimulation).
Treating cardiac malformations
Some heart defects or abnormalities are small and simple and do not require treatment, but there are other defects and abnormalities that require permanent monitoring, drug treatment, and sometimes even surgical treatment.
The type of treatment for heart disease depends on the type and severity of the defect and may include medications, catheter procedures, open heart surgery and heart transplantation.
Cardiomyopathy treatment
Treatment of heart disease and cardiomyopathy depends on the type and severity of the myopathy. It includes
Heart disease treatment:
Treatment with drugs
medical equipments
Heart transplant.
Treating infections
The first treatment for infections (infections) in the heart, such as pericarditis, myocarditis and endocarditis, is often with medications, antibiotics, and pacemakers.
Treatments for heart disease related to valves vary according to the type of valve affected and the degree of severity, but generally include medications, balloon opening, repair and restoration or valve replacement.
Prevention of heart disease
Certain types of heart disease, such as heart defects, cannot be prevented. But changes in lifestyle, which help improve the condition of some patients with heart disease, may also help prevent many types of heart disease.
These changes include:
Quit Smoking
Maintain normal levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
Take care to engage in physical activity
Ensure a healthy diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Reducing and controlling stress.
Alternative treatments
There are several methods in alternative medicine that may be useful in lowering cholesterol and in preventing certain types of heart disease, including:
Plantago ovum (or: ewe bite)
Coenzyme Q10
Flax seed
Oats and oat bran
Omega-3 fatty acids.
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