All About Heart Disease - Symptoms | Causes | Treatment and Prevention

There are different causes of heart diseases. Most heart diseases are mainly caused due to high blood pressure which leads to the hardening of the arteries. LDL or high levels of bad cholesterol build up in the arteries due to an uncontrolled diet with high saturated fat and trans-fat levels.

Heart disease can happen due to many factors, but knowing how to diagnose this is important. You have to make sure that you choose the right clinic for it. This is why; doing thorough research about the experts and clinic would be a good option.

Types of Heart Disease

The term heart disease mainly refers to certain numbers of various situations. There are different heart diseases, including cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

One of the most common diseases is coronary heart disease. It is due to failure of the heart to provide adequate circulation to all the surrounding tissue and cardiac muscles. This can happen due to hypertension, smoking, diabetes and various other reasons. If you find any severe symptoms of heart disease like chest pain, chest pressure, chest tightness or shortness of breath, then this is important to consult a doctor immediately.

Along with coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy is also one of the severe diseases of heart muscles. It is characterised by the weakening of the functioning capacity of heart muscles. Doctors always suggest getting rid of smoke and alcohol to prevent this kind of heart disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are, in fact, another umbrella term, which incorporates all diseases, which affect the cardiovascular system. Some of the known causes of this disease include hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia.

Heart failure is one of the common diseases where the heart cannot supply the body with enough blood. From shortness of breath or swelling of the ankles, anything can be the cause of this disease.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Due to unhealthy lifestyles and tight schedules, people do not get time to take care of their bodies. Lack of exercise and excessive junk food can lead to severe attacks. But not everyone understands the reason for heart diseases. This is why; knowing the symptoms and causes of heart disease is extremely important.

• Chest Discomfort- It is one of the most common symptoms of heart disease. If you are having a heart attack or have a blocked artery, you might feel tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, or discomfort in the chest.
• Indigestion, Heartburn, Nausea or Stomach Pain- Many people face these symptoms during a heart attack. As per the doctors, women are more likely to have these kinds of signs more than men. You may have an upset stomach for various reasons, which have nothing to do with your heart. But you always have to be aware and distinguish the difference between normal stomach upset and something severe.
• Pain that Spreads in the Arm – One of the prominent examples of heart attack symptoms is that pain radiates to the left side of the body. If you feel that your heart pain is spreading towards your arm, you will have to know that this is a serious problem and immediately consult a doctor.

Cause of Heart Disease 

Some heart related diseases should be treated immediately. Most people in recent days have had heart attacks due to ample reasons. Here are some:

High Blood Pressure

It is one of the significant risk factors for heart attack. When your blood pressure is extremely high, then it can damage the blood vessels as well. 

Smoking

Tobacco, cigarettes and other smoking use are also high-risk factors for heart attack. Cigarettes and other harmful substances can narrow and damage your blood vessels. 

High Cholesterol

High cholesterol has been considered one of the main causes of heart diseases. It can aid in formation of developing a blood clot and damage the blood vessels as well. This is why; maintaining your food habit and keeping an eye on what you eat daily is important. Try to remove excessive oil and junk foods from your diet.

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for heart attack. It is also a lifelong situation, which causes the blood sugar level to become too high. This increase the chances of damaging blood vessels.

Inactivity

Due to the lack of time, people are inactive in their daily life. This increases blood pressure and cholesterol levels which leads to heart diseases.

Risk factors Related to Heart Diseases

There are plenty of risk factors for heart disease available, but you need to ensure the right one.

1. Age- Once you grow older, the chances of narrowed and damaged arteries increases. This is why; controlling your food habit and other important routines should be maintained.
2. Family History- As per the recent reports and surveys, if a person has a family history. One can also develop it at an early age, so quitting smoking and drinking alcohol is recommended.
3. Smoking- It is one of the main severe reasons for heart attack. Nicotine tightens the blood vessels, and carbon monoxide has all the probability of damaging their inner lining. For smokers, the risk of heart attack grows rapidly.
4. Poor Diet- You cannot ignore proper home-cooked food. Instead of having junk foods, excessive sweets, and other meals in excessive oil, try to include protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and other important food items in your daily routine. It eases out the blood flow and narrows down reduces the risk of a heart attack. Along with that, obesity and poor dental problems can also increase the risk of a heart attack. For that, heart disease treatment is very important while consulting with a reputed doctor.

Diagnosis of Heart Diseases

Many people might think that they have the proper knowledge to diagnose themselves, but instead of doing it on your own, you can easily take help from the experts.

Physical Exam

A physical examination is a basic and simple method to decide your overall condition of health. You may get different options of heart disease prevention, but diagnosing it properly will be beneficial. During a physical exam, multiple body systems are tested.

Your weight and height could be a good indicator if you have a lower or higher risk of developing certain risk factors pertaining to heart diseases. Your vitals are also a good indicator of your overall health, especially those related to your blood pressure, temperature and respiration.

Heart Disease Treatment

There are different types of heart disease available, but you need to know the right way to do a treatment. The type of treatment you receive depends on the kind of heart disease you have. In general, treatment for heart disease usually includes:

• Lifestyle Changes- You have the option to lower your risk of heart disease by eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet, getting at least 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.
• Medications- If lifestyle changes alone are not enough, your doctor might prescribe medications to control your heart disease. The kind of medication you receive will depend on the type of heart disease.
• Medical Procedures or Surgery- When medications are not enough, then this is possible that your doctor will suggest specific procedures or surgery. The kind of procedure or surgery will depend on the type of heart disease and the extent of the damage to your heart.

Heart Disease Prevention

You may find several risk factors for heart disease, but prevention is extremely important. Plenty of factors are included to prevent the disease easily.

Stop Smoking

You are already aware now that smoking and drinking alcohol might increase the chance of your heart attack, so this is recommended to stop smoking tobacco and cigarettes. Along with that, you also need to ensure that you stop drinking alcohol.

Get Moving

Regular, daily physical activity can easily lower your risk of heart disease. Try to walk or jog for at least 30-40 minutes daily. Physical activity assists you to control your weight and then reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type-2 diabetes.

Balanced Life

Try to set a proper routine and maintain that daily. It would help if you had a proper meal at the right time, and 8 hours of sound sleep is very important. Most importantly, drink at least 7-8 glasses of water daily.

Disclaimer: The information on this website should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health expert if you have questions about your health.