Diseased conditions related to heart's structure and its functioning
falls under the category of heart diseases. There are a bunch of
abnormalities that can occur in this vital organ of human body.
Types of heart diseases:
Even though there are a variety of heart diseases but upsetting symptoms for most of them remain similar and silent to a large extent in many cases. Some of them can range from,
There are several causes and risk factors which makes a person susceptible towards heart diseases. They can be divided in three categories,Modifiable
Contributing risk factors
Diagnosis
It is essential to recognise the symptoms of heart disease ASAP and get medical attention fast to reach a good prognosis. Tests and procedures to make the diagnosis are as follows:Lab tests:
Diagnostic Tests:
Treatment
Prevention
This is the key. Regular preventive screening tests can save your heart, literally!!
In today's time, heart ailments are the biggest killer and interestingly, are highly preventable also if timely diagnosis is made. This will require regular preventive health screening, starting early in life.
Indus Health Plus, the leading specialist in preventive health check-up offer several health check-up packages aiming at early prevention for timely diagnosis.
Apart from going for regular checkups, other measures to stay away from heart diseases can be,
Types of heart diseases:
- Coronary artery disease: Arteriosclerosis (narrowing) and atherosclerosis (hardening) of arteries
- Cardiomyopathy: Diseased condition of heart muscles
- Congenital heart disease: Abnormality in heart since birth
- Arrhythmia: Erratic or irregular heartbeat
- Valvular diseases: Defects in the heart valves
- Heart failure: Inability of the heart to sufficiently pump the blood in and out of it
- Myocardial infarction or heart attack
Even though there are a variety of heart diseases but upsetting symptoms for most of them remain similar and silent to a large extent in many cases. Some of them can range from,
- Shortness of breath on exertion
- Palpitation (beating or pounding of heart very fast)
- Sweating and feeling of nausea
- Discomfort or tightness in the chest
- Weakness
- During a heart attack, dull pain radiating towards the jaw, back and left hand
There are several causes and risk factors which makes a person susceptible towards heart diseases. They can be divided in three categories,Modifiable
- Lack of physical movement
- Obesity or weight more than required
- Smoking or use of tobacco
- Men are generally at greater risk than women
- Hereditary
- Risk of getting a heart disease increases with age
- High blood pressure and blood cholesterol
- Diabetes
Contributing risk factors
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Sex hormones
- Contraceptive pills
Diagnosis
It is essential to recognise the symptoms of heart disease ASAP and get medical attention fast to reach a good prognosis. Tests and procedures to make the diagnosis are as follows:Lab tests:
- Elaborate blood tests to check cell count, cholesterol, triglycerides, and presence of a certain enzymes that is released in blood when heart muscles die due to ischemia (in heart attack)
Diagnostic Tests:
- Chest x-ray
- Echocardiography and stress Test
- Holter monitoring
- Echocardiogram
- Cardiac CT Scan and MRI Scan
- Cardiac catheterisation
- Heart bypass
Treatment
Medicines: Patient is given medication to bring down and maintain the blood pressure. Regular daily dose of aspirin, a blood thinning medicines is usually prescribed. Statins or fibrates (cholesterol lowering medications) are also given.- Angioplasty: An invasive procedure to reopen the blocked artery. Sometimes stents are placed to keep the artery remain open.
- Bypass surgery: A vein from the body of the patient is used to bypass the blocked segment of the artery and normal blood flow is restored.
- Valve repair or replacement: Damaged valve is surgically replaced.
- In arrhythmic diseases, pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are placed.
Prevention
This is the key. Regular preventive screening tests can save your heart, literally!!
In today's time, heart ailments are the biggest killer and interestingly, are highly preventable also if timely diagnosis is made. This will require regular preventive health screening, starting early in life.
Indus Health Plus, the leading specialist in preventive health check-up offer several health check-up packages aiming at early prevention for timely diagnosis.
Apart from going for regular checkups, other measures to stay away from heart diseases can be,
- Lifestyle modification by eating right and limiting stress
- Manage and control high blood pressure and diabetes
- Exercising 30 minutes is a MUST
- Quit smoking and follow a healthy diet
- Lose extra weight
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