Heart Health: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Keeping the heart healthy is essential for maintaining overall well-being and quality of life. It pumps blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the cells and eliminating waste products. As well as regulating blood pressure, body temperature, and fluid balance, the heart also regulates blood pressure, body temperature, and fluid balance.
Causes of Heart Problems
There are many factors that can affect the heart’s function and cause heart problems. Some of the common causes are:
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By building up plaque (a fatty substance) on the inner walls of the arteries, coronary artery disease (CAD) narrows or blocks the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Symptoms include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or a heart attack when blood flow to the heart is reduced.
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As a result of damage or weakness in the heart muscle, the heart struggles to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This can cause fluid buildup in the lungs, legs, or abdomen, fatigue, breathlessness, or irregular heartbeats.
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Heart arrhythmias are caused by problems with electrical signals that control heartbeats. Arrhythmias affect blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body by making the heart beat too fast, too slowly, or irregularly. There are several types of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and tachycardia.
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One or more of the four valves in the heart is damaged or dysfunctional in valvular heart disease. The valves can become leaking, narrowing, or not opening properly, affecting blood flow and pressure in the heart chambers. Rheumatic heart disease, mitral valve prolapse, and aortic stenosis are some common types of valvular heart disease.
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Congenital heart defects: These are structural defects of the heart that occur at birth as a result of abnormal development of the heart or blood vessels during fetal development. These can affect the size, shape, or function of the heart or its parts, causing abnormal blood flow or circulation. Common congenital heart defects include atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, and coarctation of the aorta.
Symptoms of Heart Problems
The symptoms of heart problems can vary depending on the type, severity, and location of the problem. Some of the common symptoms are:
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A sharp, dull, or squeezing pain or pressure in the center or left side of the chest, which may radiate to your arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back, may be caused by chest pain or discomfort. At rest or during physical activity, it may occur. Chest pain may last for a few minutes or longer, and may be accompanied by sweating, nausea, or dizziness. Chest pain can be a sign of angina, heart attack, or other heart problems, and should be treated as an emergency.
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In this case, one feels unable to catch their breath, or has difficulty breathing deeply or normally. It can occur at rest or while exercising, and may worsen when they lie down or go to sleep. It can be caused by fluid buildup in the lungs, reduced blood flow to the lungs, or reduced oxygen delivery to the body, due to heart failure, CAD, or other heart problems.
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A palpitation or irregular heartbeat may be felt as if one's heart skips a beat, flutters, pounds, or races, or one is aware of one's own heartbeat. It can occur occasionally or frequently, and may last for a few seconds or longer. An arrhythmia or other heart problem, stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, or medications can cause it.
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It can be caused by reduced blood flow or oxygen delivery to the body, due to heart failure, coronary artery disease, or other heart problems. Fatigue or weakness can negatively affect one's daily activities or quality of life.
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Symptoms include swelling, puffiness, or tightness in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, or hands when there is a buildup of fluid in the tissues. As a result of heart failure, valvular heart disease, or other heart problems, it can be caused by increased pressure or fluid retention in the blood vessels.
Diagnosis of Heart Problems
The diagnosis of heart problems involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and various tests and procedures, depending on the suspected type and cause of the problem. Some of the common tests and procedures are:
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Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, using electrodes attached to the chest, arms, and legs. It can show the heart rate, rhythm, and any signs of damage, ischemia, or arrhythmia.
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Echocardiogram: This is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving image of the heart, using a device called a transducer that is placed on the chest or inserted into the esophagus. It can show the size, shape, function, and movement of the heart and its valves, and any signs of defects, damage, or disease.
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Stress test: This is a test that measures the heart’s response to physical exertion, using an ECG, echocardiogram, or nuclear imaging, while the patient walks or runs on a treadmill or rides a stationary bike. It can show how well the heart pumps blood and oxygen to the body, and any signs of reduced blood flow, ischemia, or arrhythmia.
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With cardiac catheterization and angiography, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin, arm, or neck, and advanced with X-ray guidance to the heart or coronary arteries. With a contrast dye injected into the catheter, X-ray images are taken to show blood flow and blockages or narrowings in the arteries. It is also possible to attach a pressure measurement device or a biopsy device to the catheter in order to measure the pressure or take a sample of the heart tissue.
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CCTA: This test involves injecting contrast dye into a vein and taking multiple images of the heart and coronary arteries using a special X-ray machine called a computed tomography (CT) scanner. By combining the images, a three-dimensional (3D) picture is created of the blood vessels and heart, showing any plaque build-up or blockages.
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MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A strong magnetic field and radio waves are used to create detailed images of the heart and blood vessels without using radiation or contrast dyes. It can provide information about the structure, function, and blood flow of the heart and its parts, as well as signs of disease and damage.
Treatment of Heart Problems
The treatment of heart problems depends on the type, cause, and severity of the problem, as well as the patient’s age, health, and preferences. Some of the common treatments are:
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Smoking, limiting alcohol, reducing stress, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing other medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol are all examples of lifestyle changes. As well as improving quality of life and prognosis, these can reduce or prevent the risk of heart problems developing or deteriorating.
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Medications include drugs that lower blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar, prevent blood clots, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, increase blood flow, regulate heart rate or rhythm, or strengthen the heart muscle. These can help treat or control the symptoms or complications of heart problems, and prevent further damage or events.
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Surgery or procedures: These include procedures or operations that repair or replace damaged or diseased parts of the heart or blood vessels, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), valve replacement, pacemaker or defibrillator implantation, or correction of congenital heart defects. In addition to improving blood flow and heart function, these medicines can also prevent or treat life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, heart failure, and cardiac arrest.
Prevention of Heart Problems
The prevention of heart problems involves taking steps to reduce the risk factors and protect the heart from damage or disease. Some of the common preventive measures are:
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Having regular checkups and screenings include regular doctor's visits, and tests such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and ECG to monitor heart health and detect problems early.
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The prevention and treatment of infection includes getting vaccines against influenza and pneumococcal, as well as avoiding or treating infections such as streptococcal throat, endocarditis, or COVID-19, which can affect the heart or result in complications such as rheumatic fever, myocarditis, or pericarditis.
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Taking low-dose aspirin or antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, under the doctor's advice and supervision, can prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, particularly for people with a history or high risk of such events.
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Preventive measures include education, counseling, exercise, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet as part of cardiac rehabilitation.
