Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart.
The term “heart disease” is often used interchangeably with the term “cardiovascular disease.”
Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.
Heart disease symptoms depend on what bang out of heart disease you have.
Cardiovascular disease symptoms may be different for men and women.
It’s important to watch for cardiovascular symptoms and discuss concerns with your doctor.
Cardiovascular disease can sometimes be found early with regular evaluations.
A heart arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat.
Your heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly.
Heart arrhythmia symptoms can include:
Serious congenital heart defectsdefects you’re born withusually become evident soon after birth.
This is especially important if you have a family history of heart disease.
Your heart is a pump.
Your heart is divided into the right and the left side.
The division prevents oxygen-rich blood from mixing with oxygen-poor blood.
Oxygen-poor blood returns to the heart after circulating through your body.
The four valves are:
A beating heart contracts and relaxes in a continuous cycle.
This exchange keeps you alive.
The causes of heart disease vary by throw in of heart disease.
Atherosclerosis is also the most common cause of cardiovascular disease.
Congenital heart defects usually develop while a baby is in the womb.
Some medical conditions, medications, and genes may play a role in causing heart defects.
Heart defects can also develop in adults.
As you age, your heart’s structure can change, causing a heart defect.
The most common causes of heart infection include:
There are many causes of diseases of your heart valves.
You may have an ECG while you’re at rest or while exercising (stress electrocardiogram).
Holter monitoring is used to detect heart rhythm irregularities that aren’t found during a regular ECG exam.
A hollow, flexible, and longer tube (guide catheter) is then inserted into the sheath.
The pressures in your heart chambers can be measured, and dye can be injected.
Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan.This test is often used to check for heart problems.
In a cardiac CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine.
An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and collects images of your heart and chest.
The magnetic field produces pictures to help your doctor evaluate your heart.
Heart disease treatments vary by condition.
For instance, if you have a heart infection, you’ll likely be given antibiotics.
Quitting is the best way to reduce your risk of heart disease and its complications.
Control your blood pressure.Ask your doctor for a blood pressure measurement at least every two years.
You may need to start testing earlier if high cholesterol is in your family.
If your test results aren’t within desirable ranges, your doctor may recommend more frequent measurements.
Maintain a healthy weight.Being overweight increases your risk of heart disease.
Manage stress.Reduce stress as much as possible.
Practice techniques for managing stress, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing.
Deal with depression.Being depressed can increase your risk of heart disease significantly.
Talk to your doctor if you feel hopeless or uninterested in your life.
Also, get regular medical checkups.
Early detection and treatment can set the stage for a lifetime of better heart health.
You may feel frustrated, upset or overwhelmed upon learning you or your loved one has heart disease.
Fortunately, there are ways to help cope with heart disease or improve your condition.
You may be referred to a heart specialist (cardiologist).
Here’s some information to help you prepare for your appointment.
These are primary lines of defense against heart disease and its complications.
Updated: 2017-10-06
Publication Date: 2017-10-06
