Heart diseases
The term heart disease covers many diseases that affect the heart These diseases include pathologies of blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease;
Heart diseases are also called cardiovascular diseases Cardiovascular diseases mainly include diseases characterized by narrowing or narrowing of blood vessels and lead to heart attack, chest pain (angina) and stroke. Other heart diseases, such as heart muscle, valve or rhythm pathologies, are also considered heart diseases
Many forms of heart disease can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle
How the heart works
The heart is a pump It is a fist-sized muscular organ located slightly to the left of the center of the heart The heart is divided into right and left parts Division prevents the mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood Poor blood returns to the heart after passing through the body
The right side of the heart, consisting of the right atrium and ventricle, pumps blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery
Blood is enriched with oxygen in the lungs Carbon dioxide, which is a waste product, is also released from the lungs
Oxygen-rich blood then enters the left part of the heart, which consists of the left atrium and ventricle.
The left side of the heart pumps blood into the aorta, from where it is supplied to all parts of the body.
Symptoms caused by damaged heart valves
The heart has four valves that help it pump blood at the right time and in the right direction. In order to do its job properly, the valve must be properly formed, open completely, and close tightly The heart valves are:
- Three-door
- Mitral
- Pulmonary artery
- Aortic
Heart beat
The heart contracts continuously and slows down
During contraction (systole), the ventricle contracts, causing blood to flow to the lungs and body.
During relaxation (diastole), the ventricles fill with blood coming from the atria
Electrical system
The electrical system controls the heartbeat, which determines the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the body.
Electrical impulses are generated in the right atrium and travel through special pathways to the ventricles, where they signal contraction.
Thanks to the conduction path of the heart, the heart contracts rhythmically, which promotes blood circulation.
Different causes of heart disease
The cause of heart disease depends on the form of heart disease
Causes of cardiovascular disease
The term cardiovascular disease often refers to atherosclerotic damage to the heart and blood vessels. At this time, fatty plaques accumulate in the arteries, which increase in size and roughen the artery wall It prevents blood supply to organs and tissues through arteries
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease It can be caused by unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, excess weight and smoking
This is because in a healthy heart there is no cause for the arrhythmia, such as scar tissue.
In a damaged or deformed heart, electrical impulses may be generated or propagated abnormally, increasing the risk of arrhythmias.
Causes of congenital heart defects
- Heart defects are mainly formed during pregnancy Heart defects can occur as the heart forms, as early as one month after conception, and alter the blood flow to the heart Certain diseases, medications, and genes can also cause heart defects
- Heart defects also develop in adults As we age, the structure of the heart changes, which can lead to heart defects
Causes of cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is thickening and hardening of the heart muscle Its symptoms depend on the form:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy The cause of this cardiomyopathy is often unknown It can be caused by reduced blood supply to the heart (ischemic heart disease), infection, toxins, or certain medications. It can also be inherited from a parent At this time, the left ventricle mainly expands (dilates).
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy This form, characterized by pathological thickening of the heart muscle, is often congenital It can also develop over time due to high blood pressure or age
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy This is the rarest form of cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart muscle to become stiff and less elastic. The cause of its development is either unknown, or it can be caused by diseases, such as connective tissue disorders, excessive accumulation of iron in the body (hemochromatosis), or cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation
Causes of heart infection
Heart infections, such as pericarditis, endocarditis, and myocarditis, develop when bacteria, viruses, chemicals, or other irritants invade the heart muscle. The most common causes of heart infection are:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Parasites
Causes of valvular heart disease
Many diseases can cause valvular heart disease You may be born with valvular disease or it may be caused by:
- Rheumatoid fever
- Infections (infective endocarditis)
- Tissue damage
Symptoms of heart disease depend on the type of heart disease
Symptoms of blood vessel disease (atherosclerotic disease)
Cardiovascular disease is caused by the narrowing, narrowing, or hardening of blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body. Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases can be different in women and men Chest pain is more common in men, while shortness of breath, nausea and severe weakness are more common in women
Symptoms may include:
- chest pain (angina)
- shortness of breath
- pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the hands or feet if the blood vessels in these parts of the body are narrowed
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, or back
You may not be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease until you have had a heart attack, angina, stroke, or heart failure It is important to watch for cardiovascular symptoms Early detection of cardiovascular diseases is often possible with regular examinations
Symptoms caused by cardiac arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmia is a heart rhythm disorder The heart rate may be fast, slow or irregular Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia include:
- Heart flutters
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Slow heart rate Symptoms of heart defects in children are:
- Pale or blue skin (cyanosis)
- There is swelling around the legs, abdomen and eyes
- In infants, shortness of breath while eating, causing weight loss
Less severe defects do not Signs and symptoms of less life-threatening heart defects include:
- Shortness of breath soon after exercise
- Tired easily during exercise
- Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet
Symptoms of weak heart muscle
- Shortness of breath on exertion or at rest
- Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
- General weakness
- Irregular heartbeat that is fast, strong and fluttering
These symptoms are:
- Increased temperature
- Shortness of breath
- General weakness or fatigue
- Swelling in the legs and abdomen
- Changes in heart rhythm
- Dry or prolonged cough
- Skin Valves can be damaged in many diseases, causing them to narrow (stenosis), leak (regurgitation or regurgitation), or close improperly (prolapse).
Symptoms depend on which valve is damaged The following symptoms are often present:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat that is fast, strong and fluttering
- Swelling of ankles and feet
- Chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat
The doctor advises how to reduce the risk of developing heart disease This is especially important if heart disease runs in your family
If you think you have heart disease, make an appointment with your doctor
