Cardiovascular (Heart) Diseases: Types and Treatments
Heart disease are various conditions that affect the heart, blood vessels and the normal functioning of the Circulatory system of the body.
There are various types of heart disease, and each one has its symptoms and treatment. For some, lifestyle changes and medication can make a massive difference in improving health, while others may need a surgical solution.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):
Coronary Artery Disease is the most common heart problem. In CAD, there are blockages in the coronary arteries. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that transport blood to the heart. Blockages lead to a decrease in the blood flow to the heart muscle and prevent it from receiving the oxygen it requires. The disease is usually a result of atherosclerosis, a condition sometimes called hardening of the arteries.
Coronary heart disease may cause pain in the chest, called angina, or result in a heart attack.
Heart Arrhythmias:
Arrhythmia causes the heart to develop an irregular beating pattern. They may feel like a racing or fluttering kind of heartbeat. Serious arrhythmias can often develop from other heart conditions but can also occur on their own.
Heart Failure:
Also known as congestive heart failure, when the heart does not pump blood throughout the body efficiently, heart failure occurs.
The failure may be due to coronary artery disease, but it can also happen of hypertension, thyroid disease, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), or certain other conditions.
Heart Valve disease:
The heart consists of four valves that open and close to conduct blood flow between the heart, the blood vessels, and lungs. A defect can make it difficult for the valve to open and close. When that happens, the blood flow could be blocked, or blood may leak. The heart valves may not open and close in the right way. This can lead to regurgitation of blood as well.
Congenital Heart Defects:
Congenital heart disease occurs when there is interruption in the formation of the heart in an unborn baby that is still in the womb. It may arise from genetic developmental disorders like Down’s Syndrome, maternal Diabetes, Medications, Flu (Influenza) and even Alcohol. The heart defect sometimes leads to problems right after birth, but at times there no symptoms until you become an adult.
Heart attack:
A heart attack arises when a blood clot wholly and abruptly blocks one of the heart arteries, famishing part of the heart muscle of oxygen. It usually causes permanent damage to the heart muscle.
Symptoms of heart disease depend on the sort of condition a person experiences.
However, common symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.
Treatment
There are two kinds of treatment for heart disease. Initially, an individual can attempt to treat the condition by medication. If these medicines do not show improvements, the doctor would suggest surgical treatment.
Medication
A wide range of medication is available for most of the heart diseases. Many medicines help to prevent blood clots, but some serve other purposes.
The medications used are:
- Use of statins to lower cholesterol
- Blood thinners, such as warfarin to stop blood clots
- Beta-blockers to treat heart failure, heart attack and hypertension
- (ACE) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, for high blood pressure and heart failure
The doctor will work with the patient to suggest a medication that is safe and effective. They will also prescribe medications to treat underlying conditions that may affect the heart, such as diabetes, before they become dangerous.
Surgical Methods
Heart surgery is an intensive option from which is a long road to recovery.
However, they can be useful to treat blockages and heart ailments for which medication is not adequate.
The most common surgical methods are:
- Angioplasty is a method in which involves the insertion of a balloon catheter to widen narrow blood vessels that prevent the flow of blood to the heart.
- Coronary artery bypass surgery helps the blood flow to reach a blocked area of the heart in people who have blocked arteries.
- Surgery towards repair or replacement of faulty heart valves
- Pacemaker helps to control and regulate irregular heart rates or rhythms.
Heart transplants are another option. However, it is often hard to find an organ of the right size and blood type and donor at a given time.
