Heart Disease & Its Type

 
Heart Disease

Any disorder that affects the shape or functioning of the heart is considered as having heart disease. Heart disease makes no distinctions. It is a major cause of death for several people, which includes white people, Hispanics, and black people. About half of all Americans are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and the number is growing. While heart disease can be fatal, it is preventable in most people. You can eventually live longer with a healthier heart if you start developing healthy lifestyle habits at a young age. There are various types of heart disease. In this article, you will be studying different types of heart disease, symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries in your heart narrow or get clocked. It is the most common type of heart disease and is responsible for the majority of heart attacks as well as angina. As a consequence, blood flow reduces, and the heart gets less oxygen and other nutrients. The heart muscle weakens over time, increasing heart failure symptoms and arrhythmias.

Atherosclerosis occurs when plaque accumulates in the arteries. Plaque in the arteries can rupture due to blockages, causing blood flow to cease, potentially leading to a heart attack.

Congenital heart disease


A congenital heart defect is a heart defect that is present from birth. Congenital heart defects come in a variety of forms, such as:

Atypical heart valves:

Valves may fail to open correctly or leak blood.

Septal defects:

It occurs when there is a hole in the wall between the upper or lower chambers of the heart.

Atresia:

It is a condition in which one of the heart valves is missing.

Congenital heart disease:

Coronary heart disease can cause major structural problems, such as the absence of a ventricle or issues with unusual connections between the main arteries that leave the heart.

Several congenital heart diseases do not manifest any symptoms and are discovered during a routine medical examination.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia is a heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart to beat too slowly, too quickly, or in an unorganized manner. It occurs when the electrical impulses that direct and regulate heartbeats do not work correctly. The heartbeats as a result of this:

  • excessively quick (tachycardia)
  • excessively slow (bradycardia)
  • too soon (premature contraction)
  • excessively erratic (fibrillation)

Almost everyone will encounter an abnormal heart rhythm at some point in their life. You may experience racing or fluttering heartbeats.

Arrhythmias are common and generally harmless, but some can be dangerous. When an arrhythmia disrupts blood flow to your body, it can harm:

  • lungs
  • brain
  • other essential organs

Arrhythmias can be fatal if they are left untreated.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy causes the heart chambers to dilate, causing the heart muscle to expand and thin. The most prevalent causes of dilated cardiomyopathy include previous heart attacks, arrhythmias, and toxins, but genes can also play a role.

As a direct consequence, the heart weakens and is unable to properly pump blood. It can cause arrhythmia, blood clots in the heart, and heart failure.

Myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, is characterized by a disruption in blood flow to the heart. It has the potential to harm or destroy a portion of the heart muscle.

Plaque, a blood clot, or both in a coronary artery are the most common causes of a heart attack. It can also happen if an artery unexpectedly constricts or spasms.

Heart valve disease

The heart's aortic, mitral, pulmonary, tricuspid valves are open and close to direct blood flow through the heart. Many factors can cause heart valve disease, resulting in narrowing, leaking, or prolapse.

Valvular heart disease signs and symptoms vary depending on which valve isn't functioning correctly.

  • Breathing difficulty
  • Heartbeat irregularity
  • Fainting (syncope)
  • Foot or ankle swelling
  • Chest ache

Heart failure

When a person suffers heart failure, their heart works, but not that well as it should. Congestive heart failure is a type of heart failure caused by a problem with the pumping or relaxing function of the heart.

Arrhythmias, untreated coronary artery disease, hypertension, and other disorders can all lead to heart failure. These diseases can impair the heart's capacity to pump or rest effectively.

Although heart failure can be fatal, seeking medical treatment for heart-related problems as soon as possible can help to avoid complications.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

This disease typically arises as a result of a genetic problem affecting the heart muscle. It is usually an inherited condition.

Muscle walls thicken, and contractions become more difficult. It impairs the heart's ability to take in and expel blood. A blockage may occur in some cases.

Many people go undiagnosed because there are no symptoms. Moreover, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can deteriorate with time and lead to a variety of heart issues.

Someone with a family history of this disorder should request a screening, as treatment can help prevent problems.

Mitral valve regurgitation

It happens when the mitral valve in the heart does not close tightly enough, allowing blood to return to the heart.

As a consequence, blood cannot flow efficiently through the heart or the body, putting pressure on the chambers of the heart. The heart can enlarge over time, leading to heart failure.

Mitral valve prolapse

It occurs when the mitral valve flaps do not close properly. They instead protrude into the left atrium. It can result in a heart murmur.


Mitral valve prolapse is not usually fatal, but some people may require treatment for it. This condition, which affects about 2% of the population, can be caused by genetic factors and connective tissue problems.

Aortic stenosis

The pulmonary valve is thickened or fused in aortic stenosis and does not open properly. It makes the heart's ability to pump blood from the left ventricle into the aorta difficult.

It can be present at birth due to congenital valve anomalies, or it can grow over time due to calcium deposits or scarring.

Symptoms and signs

A wide range of symptoms can be caused by various types of heart disease.

Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats. The symptoms you experience may vary depending on the type of arrhythmia you have — too fast or too slow heartbeats. Lightheadedness is one of the symptoms of an arrhythmia.

  • a racing heartbeat or a fluttering heartbeat
  • a slow heartbeat
  • spells of fainting
  • dizziness
  • pain in the chest

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis reduces the flow of blood to your extremities. Atherosclerosis symptoms include, in addition to chest pain and shortness of breath:

  • coldness, particularly in the limbs
  • a lack of muscle strength in your arms and legs
  • numbness, particularly in the limbs
  • pain that is unusual or unexplained

Infections of the heart

The term "heart infection" can refer to a variety of conditions, including endocarditis and myocarditis. The mentioned symptoms could be caused by a heart infection:

  • pain in the chest
  • coughing or chest congestion
  • sickness
  • chill bumps
  • rashes on the skin
Congenital heart defects

Congenital heart defects are heart problems that occur during the development of a fetus. Some heart defects go undetected. Other defects may be discovered if they cause symptoms, such as:

  • blue-tinted skin
  • swelling in the legs and arms
  • breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
  • fatigue and a lack of energy
  • irregular heartbeat

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

CAD is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries that transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the lungs. Symptoms of coronary artery disease are:

  • pain or discomfort in the chest
  • breathing difficulty
  • nausea
  • symptoms of indigestion or gas

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that causes the heart muscles to enlarge and become rigid, thick, or weak. Symptoms of cardiomyopathy are:

  • fatigue
  • bloating
  • swollen legs, particularly the ankles and feet
  • breathing difficulty
  • pounding or a quick pulse

Treatment

The treatment you receive is related to the type of heart problems you have. In general, heart disease treatment typically consists of the following:

Lifestyle changes:

Lower the risk of heart disease by choosing to eat a low-sodium diet, low-fat, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, giving up smoking, and restricting alcohol consumption.

Medications:

If lifestyle modifications alone aren't enough to regulate your heart disease, your doctor may recommend medications for it. You can also get heart medication online instantly. The type of heart disease you have will decide what sort of medication you get.

Surgery or medical procedures:

If medications are ineffective, your doctor may recommend specific procedures or surgery. The type of surgical procedures required will depend on the type of cardiovascular disease and the severity of heart problems.

Prevention

A few precautions can help lower your risk of heart disease. These are some examples:

Consuming a well-balanced diet:

Pick a good heart-healthy diet that emphasizes whole grains, fruits and veggies, and low-fat dairy products. Limiting your intake of processed foods, as well as additional fat, sugar, and salt may also be beneficial.

Regular exercise:

It can assist to improve the heart and circulatory system, lower cholesterol, and regulate blood pressure.

Keeping a healthy body weight:

A healthy BMI (body mass index) ranges between 20 and 25.

Quit or avoid smoking:

Tobacco use is a major risk factor for heart and cardiovascular disease.

Managing the underlying causes:

Receive treatment for heart-related conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.

Taking these activities can help improve general health and lower the risk of heart disease and its effects.

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