Heart issues occur in both men and women. Some of them are not that harmful, but there are certain cardiac problems that can be life-threatening. There are many diseases that cause heart issues, and each of them has its own symptoms.
In certain cases, heart-related diseases may necessitate specific treatment options, which are recommended by physicians following diagnostic tests. For some individuals, procedures like open heart surgery become essential to address certain cardiac conditions.
Do you know what these heart conditions are? Let’s have a look at these below:
CAD [Coronary Artery Disease]
Coronary Artery Disease is a typical heart condition. This condition causes blockages in the coronary arteries. These are vessels that supply blood to the heart. CAD can reduce the blood flow to the heart muscle and prevent it from receiving the oxygen it requires to function properly. This condition is due to “atherosclerosis,” a condition that hardens the arteries. People who suffer from coronary heart disease will experience pain in their chest, known as angina, which may lead to a heart attack.
Heart Valve Disease
The human heart has 4 valves, which close and open so that the blood can flow to all 4 chambers of the heart, blood vessels, and the lungs. Issues in the heart valves can make the opening and closing of the valves difficult. When a problem occurs, the blood flow gets blocked, and the heart valve might not close and open properly. Infections like coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, and rheumatic fever are some of the primary reasons that cause issues in the heart valve.
Heart Muscle Disease [Cardiomyopathy]
Heart muscle disease is a condition of the myocardium or the heart muscle. People who suffer from cardiomyopathy have stiff, thickened, or stretched heart muscles. The heart will become weaker when it tries to pump properly. Cardiomyopathy is caused due to diseases, such as genetic heart conditions, infections, a particular virus, and reactions due to toxins or drugs. At times, chemotherapy becomes the main cause of cardiomyopathy, and sometimes doctors can figure out what exactly causes this condition.
Also Read more about role of our Heart and get yourself aware of it.
Heart Arrhythmias
When a person has arrhythmia, their heart will start beating irregularly. Severe arrhythmias can develop because of different heart issues. Besides that, the condition can also occur on its own.
Heart Failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump out blood properly like it normally does. This condition is mainly caused due to coronary heart disease but can also occur because of cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, and other diseases/conditions.
Pericardial Disease
The pericardial disease takes place in the pericardium, which is a sac surrounding the heart. The most common type of condition that occurs in the pericardium is inflammation and pericarditis. The condition occurs because of an infection, an injury in the pericardium, or due to inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Myocardial Infarction [Heart Attack]
The open heart surgery experts from renowned hospitals have said heart attack is the primary cause of heart problems. The condition occurs when there is an interruption in the blood supply to the heart. This destroys or damages a part of the heart muscle. The primary causes of heart attack are blood clots or plaque. Heart attack can also occur when an artery suddenly spasms or narrows.
Congenital heart defects
People who have congenital heart defects are born with heart issues. There are three kinds of congenital heart defects, such as:
- Atypical Heart Valve: Valves that don’t open correctly and leak out blood.
- Atresia: A heart valve is missing
- Septal Defects: There is a hole present in the wall between the upper or lower chambers of the heart.
The condition involves primary structural problems, like there is no presence of a ventricle. But there are congenital heart defects that do not show any type of signs or symptoms. It becomes apparent through a medical check. Experts say that heart murmurs can affect children and it only happens because of a particular defect.
Conclusion
There are numerous diseases that can lead to heart problems, ranging from congenital heart defects to lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Identifying and managing these underlying conditions is crucial to preventing the development of heart disease and reducing the risk of complications such as heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke. Thus, it is important to prioritise regular check-ups and maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and its associated complications.
