The heart has the function of circulating blood to different parts of the body. It is impossible to live without a heart. If your body does not receive blood, there is no way to receive nutrition to do physical work. The heart's work is affected by many diseases. These diseases are congenital or develop as we age. In either case, there is a problem in circulating the blood. This is when you need heart treatment.
There are various kinds of diseases that can hurt our hearts. The symptoms of each are as follows.
Coronary artery disease
Chest pain, also called angina pectoris, is the most common symptom. I feel discomfort, weight, and pain in my chest. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, palpitations, weakness, dizziness, sweating and so on.
• heart attack
The weight and pain of the breastbone are especially under the breastbone. There are radial discomfort in the back and the jaw. In addition to all of these, sweating, nausea, vomiting. Initially, there is only one discomfort, but it will rise to painful pain.
• Arrhythmia
It is distinguished by an irregular heartbeat. Those heart beats may be too fast or slow. Observed symptoms include wiggling of the heart, pain in the chest, dizziness, syncope, fatigue and the like.
• Heart valve disease
In most cases, breathing difficulties that occur when doing daily physical activity are the main symptoms. Also, I feel an extra weight on my chest and there is weakness and dizziness.
• Heart failure
While coughing, white sputum appears. Weight increases rapidly. Other symptoms include dizziness, weakness, swelling of the ankle, legs, and abdomen.
As with symptoms, the cause of the disease varies. Several causes are described below.
Coronary artery disease
This disease is caused in the body due to the accumulation of treaty plaque. This plaque narrows the coronary arteries leading to less blood flow. It happens for various reasons such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and so on.
• heart attack
It occurs when blood flow is blocked. It occurs due to cholesterol accumulation. It is also known as atherosclerosis. One or other plaque ruptures and causes cholesterol or other substances to flow out into the bloodstream.
• Arrhythmia
These irregular beats are triggered due to a heart attack now occurring. There may be a heart attack before hurting cardiac tissue. Other reasons may include drug stress and sleep apnea.
• Heart valve disease
There are two main causes of valve disease. They are reflux and stenosis. In the former case, blood leaks because the valve is not properly closed. In the latter case, the valve narrows and blood flow decreases.
• Heart failure
It happens for the accumulation of other conditions that have already weakened the heart. Some of the symptoms leading to heart failure are coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart valve dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis and the like.
Below are tests useful for accurate diagnosis of cardiac problems.
• Electrocardiogram - Also known as ECG, it records electrical signals and helps to discover cardiac rhythms and structural irregularities.
• Holter monitoring - this portable device must be fitted to record continuous ECGs, usually 24 to 72 hours. In this test, heart failure not found in the study is recorded.
• Echocardiogram - a noninvasive test in which ultrasound examination of the chest is performed to show details of the structure and function of the heart.
Some of the general procedures for treating irregular hearts are described below.
1. Coronary arteryoplasty
This procedure involves insertion of a small balloon that spreads the clogged artery. It is often combined with a stent to reduce the chance of narrowing the artery. Angioplasty is mainly done to treat atherosclerosis. It is the accumulation of fat plaque in blood vessels. If lifestyle changes are not sufficient, angioplasty is suggested. Recommended if there are heart attacks, chest pain or other related symptoms.
2. Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
CABG is a major operation to redirect the flow of blood around a part of the occluded artery. The new route improves blood flow. Healthy blood vessels can be taken from your legs, arms or chest. This surgery is an option in the case of stenosis of several arteries. If angioplasty does not work, this surgery is proposed. It is also used for emergencies such as heart attacks. Changes in lifestyle after surgery are essential.
3. Heart transplant
Transplantation is a surgical procedure performed to replace diseased, unfunctioning hearts with the help of working ones taken from suspicious donors. It is done to treat end-stage heart failure caused by coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, congenital heart failure, arrhythmia, amyloidosis etc. It is life-saving treatment by itself, not cure of heart disease.
