What is Heart disease? Types, Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosed methods of heart disease.

What is Heart disease?

The term ‘Heart disease’ refers to any condition affecting the heart. Heart disease is any condition that causes cardiovascular problems. But this disease is a group of conditions with many different root causes.

Types of heart disease

1. Coronary artery and vascular disease (atherosclerosis):

However, atherosclerosis happens when the arteries in your heart are narrowed or blocked. Coronary artery disease is the most common heart disease and causes most heart attacks and angina (chest pain). In the same type, vascular disease is problems in other blood vessels which may decrease blood flow and affect the function of your heart.

2. Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias):

However, it may cause the heart to beat too slowly, quickly, or disorganizedly. Moreover, most Canadians experience heart rhythm disorders that disrupt blood flow.

3. Structural heart disease:

However, structural heart disease refers to abnormalities of the heart’s structure that may include valves, walls, muscles, or blood vessels near the heart. This may present or be acquired after birth through infection, wear and tear, or other factors.

4. Heart failure:

Heart failure is a severe health condition that develops after the heart becomes damaged or weakened. The two most possible causes of heart failure are heart attack and high blood pressure (HBP).  There is no cure, but early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and medication can help most people lead active lives, stay out of the hospital, and live longer. However, other heart diseases may include infections, enlarged heart muscle, and inherited disorders.

Causes

The possible causes of heart disease may include:-

Medical conditions

  • High blood pressure (HBP)
  • High cholesterol problems
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure (HBP) during the pregnancy periods
  • Sleep apnea

Lifestyle risk factors

  • Unhealthy diet
  • Not enough physical activity
  • Unhealthy weight
  • Smoking habits
  • Too much alcohol
  • Too much stress
  • Recreational drug use
  • Birth control or hormone replacement therapy etc.

Common risk factors you can not control

  • Sex: A women’s health risk of heart disease and stroke changes over her lifetime.
  • Age: The older you are, the increase your risk of heart disease
  • Your family and medical history may also be responsible for heart disease
  • South Asian and African heritage may cause heart disease problem
  • Indigenous heritage
  • Personal circumstances may include access to healthy food, safe drinking water, health services, and social services.

Heart symptoms

  • Chest discomfort
  • Nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or stomach pain
  • Pain that spreads to the arm
  • You feel dizzy, lightheaded
  • Throat or jaw pain
  • You get exhausted easily
  • Snoring
  • Sweating
  • A cough that won’t quit
  • your legs, feet, and ankles are swollen
  • Irregular heartbeat etc.

How is heart disease diagnosed?

However, your medical consultant may order several kinds of tests and evaluations to make a heart disease diagnosis. Most importantly, some of these tests can be performed before you ever show symptoms of heart disease. Similarly, other tests may be used to look for possible causes of signs when they develop.

Physical exams and blood tests

Firstly, your health consultant will perform a physical exam and account for the symptoms you have been experiencing. And then, they will want to know about your family and personal health history. However, genetics can play a vital role in some heart diseases. And, if you have a close family member with a heart problem, share this issue with your doctor.

Noninvasive test

However, there are few varieties of noninvasive tests that may be used to diagnose heart disease.

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test can monitor your heart’s electrical movements and help your consultant spot any irregularities.
  • Echocardiogram: However, this ultrasound test can give your consultant a close picture of your heart’s structure.
  • Stress test: During this test, your consultant can monitor your heart’s movements in response to changes in physical exertion.
  • CT scan: However, this imaging test gives your consultant a highly detailed image of your heart and blood vessels.
  • Heart MRI: Like a CT scan, a heart MRI can give a clear image of your heart and blood vessels.

Invasive tests

However, if physical, blood, and noninvasive tests are inconclusive, your consultant may want to look inside your body to determine what’s causing any unusual signs.

  • Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography: In this test, your consultant may insert a catheter into your heart through the groin and arteries. Similarly, it will help them perform heart and blood vessel tests.
  • Electrophysiology study: During this test, your consultant may attach electrodes to your heart through a catheter. However, when the electrodes are in place, your consultant can send electric pulses through and record how the heart responds

Last Updated on October 10, 2023 by anup