Heart Patients must know

Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is a broad term that encompasses various disorders, with the most common being coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, and arrhythmias. Here are some key aspects of heart disease:

1. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This is the most prevalent form of heart disease. It occurs when the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle, become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis). This can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
2. Heart Failure: Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs. It can result from various causes, including CAD, hypertension (high blood pressure), or other heart conditions. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention.
3. Arrhythmias: These are irregular heart rhythms that can cause the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or erratically (atrial fibrillation). Arrhythmias can lead to various symptoms, including palpitations, dizziness, and fainting.
4. Heart Valve Disease: Heart valves control the flow of blood through the heart. When they do not function properly, conditions such as stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leaking) can occur, affecting blood flow and causing symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath.
5. Cardiomyopathy: This term refers to diseases of the heart muscle itself. Cardiomyopathies can cause the heart to become enlarged, thickened, or rigid, leading to impaired pumping function.
6. Congenital Heart Disease: Some individuals are born with structural abnormalities in their heart or blood vessels. These congenital heart defects can affect blood flow and heart function and may require surgical intervention.
7. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Prolonged high blood pressure can strain the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease.
8. Risk Factors: Several risk factors contribute to the development of heart disease, including smoking, poor diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, diabetes, family history, and age. Reducing these risk factors through lifestyle changes can help prevent heart disease.
9. Diagnosis: Heart disease is diagnosed through various methods, including medical history, physical exams, imaging tests (like echocardiograms and angiograms), blood tests, and electrocardiograms (ECGs).