Cardiac Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that affect your heart and blood vessels. Without appropriate treatment, heart disease can lead to heart attacks or strokes. You can make lifestyle changes or take medications to manage cardiovascular disease. Earlier diagnosis can help with effective treatment.
A buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries (atherosclerosis) is the most common cause of coronary artery disease. Risk factors include a poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity and smoking. Healthy lifestyle choices can help lower the risk of atherosclerosis.
1. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):
- Description: Damage or disease in the heart’s major blood vessels.
- Symptoms: Chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and heart attack.
- Treatment: Lifestyle changes, medications, angioplasty, and surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting).
2. Heart Failure:
- Description: A chronic condition where the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should.
- Symptoms: Shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs, and rapid heartbeat.
- Treatment: Medications (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers), lifestyle changes, and devices or surgery.
3. Arrhythmia:
- Description: Improper beating of the heart, whether irregular, too fast, or too slow.
- Symptoms: Palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- Treatment: Medications, pacemakers, catheter ablation, and surgery.
4. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure):
- Description: A condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high.
- Symptoms: Often none, but can cause headaches, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds.
- Treatment: Lifestyle changes and medications.
5. Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack):
- Description: Occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked for a long enough time that part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies.
- Symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and cold sweat.
- Treatment: Immediate medical attention, medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery.