Posted on March 21, 2012
What are the kinds of heart disease
The term “heart disease” is an umbrella term that covers dozens of different types of heart problems. Some of those types are congenital (an illness someone is born with) and others develop throughout a person’s life. Different forms of heart distress may affect specific sections of the heart, such as the valves, the muscle itself, the chambers, the arteries, the lining, the veins, and so forth.
In example,
- Congestive heart failure affects the heart chambers and causes diastolic and systolic malfunctions.
- The heart’s valves can be damaged by rheumatic fever and create a problem known as rheumatic heart disease.
- What is commonly known as a heart attack is the result of damage to the veins and arteries.
- Endocarditis and pericarditis are conditions that bring inflammation respectively to the inside and the outside linings of the heart.
- Cardiomyopathy is an enlarged and weakened heart muscle resulting often from high blood pressure.
The symptoms of heart illness vary depending on each type. However, the most often associated symptom of heart trouble is chest pain. (Do note, however, that not all chest pain automatically translates into heart disease.)
If you experience chest pains that feel like tightness, pressure, fullness, or achy, sharp, and throbbing sensations in the area between your upper abdomen and your lower neck, you may want to visit your doctor. Regular check-ups by your physician are recommended even in the absence of pain because they work to your advantage always – be it to set your mind at ease or to improve your path to health.
Posted on March 12, 2012
What do I need done if I have an Aortic Aneurysm
Heart disease describes any condition that affects the heart’s blood vessels, valves and tissues. Aortic aneurysm is a problem that occurs in the aorta, the largest and most important artery in the human body. If your physician discovers an aortic aneurysm, he may do several important tests as well as use certain treatment options to help you.
Definition of an Aneurysm
An aneurysm may occur anywhere in the body. It is described as a blockage that prevents the flow of blood in the arterial vessels. Arterial walls damaged or compromised from disease, injury or trauma may cause this problem. However, genetics or family heart problems are also causes.
Although there are many types of aneurysms, two types specifically affect the heart: thoracic (chest) and abdominal (abdomen). Doctors usually find these conditions during routine visits. If your cardiologist performs a chest or abdominal examination, he may spot an aneurysm early
Treatments
Treatments include medications to lower high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Surgery is an option if your condition worsens. However, treatment options may vary depending on the size of the aneurysm.
Affects of an Aneurysm
When an aortic aneurysm ruptures in your arteries, it may lead to heavy bleeding. You should be aware of the signs and symptoms of this type of heart disease.
Signs to look for:
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Passing out
- Pain in the chest or abdomen
- Stroke (loss of feeling on one or both sides, followed by slurred speech and confusion)
Risk Factors
If you have a family history of heart problems, you may be at risk for aortic aneurysms. If you are a male, you are more susceptible for heart problems than women. You also have a major risk if you are white.
Other risk factors are:
- Smoking
- Being over 60 years of age or older
- Having a previous history of blood vessel problems
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Experiencing high blood pressure
A cardiologist can provide the expertise you need to stay heart strong. Most signs of heart disease go unnoticed, and is a leading cause of death. Protect your health by knowing the facts about heart disease.
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Is a Heart Aneurysm Serious?
All heart problems are serious. Aneurysms can form without any symptoms. Over time, they grow and break down blood vessel walls. The walls bulge due to the excessive pressure caused by a thick collection of blood within the blood vessel. Pressure builds up and releases a blood clot. Clots can travel and restrict blood flow in other parts of the body.
Symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Tingling or numbness
- Deep, aching or throbbing back pain
- Unexplained, sudden and severe chest pain
Causes of a heart aneurysm could be:
- A hardened artery (atherosclerosis)
- Local artery injury
- High blood pressure
- Aging
To diagnose a heart aneurysm, you will undergo some of these testing methods:
- ECG which monitors electrical activity of heartbeats while recording their rate and regularity
- CT Scan that takes an X-ray of the chest, showing any bulges in the heart
- MRI reveals heart damage by using magnetism, radio waves and computer imaging
- ECHO which ultrasounds and monitors the movement of blood through the heart
If the aneurysm is small and causes no problems, it will be monitored. If the aneurysm is too big, drugs, such as thrombolytics, hypertensives and antiarrythmics are prescribed. If the aneurysm is severe, you might need surgery. Due to its many risks, surgery is a last resort option.
Preventative measures are:
- Maintaining a healthy blood pressure by keeping stress levels low
- Following healthy lifestyle choices such as no heavy drinking and no smoking
- Keeping regular doctor appointments especially if you have other heart problems or there is atherosclerosis located in other parts of your body
Those most at risk people are those with:
- Untreated diabetes
- Inflammatory conditions
- History of aortic aneurysm in the family
- People over the age of 55, especially males.
- People with Marfan’s Syndrome
Although it may go unnoticed and show no symptoms for quite some time, heart problems are serious. If you think you may have a heart aneurysm or any other heart problems, see a doctor. An untreated aneurysm could cause pain due to a increased in its size, a stroke, cardiac arrest and possibly death.
Posted on March 8, 2012
Atrial fibrillation (AF), refers to the most common type of arrhythmia, which is a problem with the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat. The heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
Atrial fibrillation is the result of electrical signals which get disorganized and prompt the heart’s upper chambers (atria) to rapidly and irregularly contract (fibrillate). The atria receives blood that is not pumped into the two chambers on the bottom of the heart. This causes the upper and lower chambers to not work together effectively.
When you have atrial fibrillation, you may not be aware of it. But you can still have a stroke. Atrial fibrillation can result in chest pain or even your heart to fail. You may have atrial fibrillation occasionally, rarely, or it may end up a on on-going problem lasting years
The older you get, the possibility of atrial fibrillation increases, particularly beyond the age of 60. Potential symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:
- fatigue, not having energy
- heart palpitations (the heart suddenly pounding, racing or fluttering in the chest)
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
- dizziness (feeling light-headed or faint)
- discomfort in the chest (pressure, tightness or pain in the chest)
If you have the following conditions, you are at greater risk for atrial fibrillation:
- past heart surgery
- lung disease
- high blood pressure
- congenital heart disease
- heart valve disease
- coronary artery disease
- pulmonary embolism
- congenital heart disease
- heart failure
If you experience the above symptoms or have the above conditions, it is important to see your doctor to rule out atrial fibrillation. A few people (10%) do not have heart disease and experience atrial fibrillation due to stress, excessive caffeine use, alcohol, stress, drugs or from an infection.
Your doctor can diagnose atrial fibrillation through an electrocardiogram and monitors that allow your doctor to determine if your heartbeats are irregular. Treatment includes surgery, medication, medical procedures and lifestyle changes.
Posted on March 6, 2012
A heart aneurysm is a complication that develops after a heavy heart attack that leaves part of the muscles of the lower chamber of the heart dead. A scar is formed and a layer of muscles that survives is greatly weakened. Blood begins to infiltrate and inflate the weak muscle. Cardiac aneurysm may not show itself immediately but progressively manifests and may be noticed when other conditions like stroke start to emerge .
If this heart aneurysm is not treated, it can lead to dangerous blood clots (embolisms) that are dislodged in blood vessels in other parts of the body. This can lead to stroke or failure of the heart. This is why it advised that if you experience heart attack, you need to consult a cardiologist to examine the status of your heart to find out whether you could be developing the heart aneurysm condition.
This heart condition develops mainly in men who are 40 years and above and who suffer large heart attacks. Also about 10-30% of people who survive acute heart attacks tend to develop cardiac aneurysm. In the same way, up to 25% person of those patients who develop large patches of dead muscle scarring after an heart attack are also likely to get this condition. Signs of heart aneurysm include;
- Pain in the jaw and neck.
- Chest pain.
- Difficulties catching breath.
- Fainting.
- Embolisms may lead to ischemia in the limb causing death of limb tissue.
- Stroke can occur if the embolism blocks vessel supplying blood to the brain.
If a patient has had a heart attack and begins to experience one of more of these signs, there is need to seek immediate medical attention from a heart doctor in New York.
Treatment of heart aneurysm requires constant medical follow up and a patient needs to limit activity not to overwork the heart. Surgery is applied when persistent failure of the left ventricle is experienced or arrhythmia develops. Anticoagulants drugs are administered to prevent thrombosis (blood clotting). Antiarrhythmic drugs are also used. The survival rate of patients with ventricular aneurysm depends on the function of the ventricle muscle that is left.
Posted on March 5, 2012
Heart Murmur – Never Neglect it
Of the many heart related problems that can occur in few children and adults, one is the abnormal flow of blood through the heart. This disorder causes certain sounds termed as heart murmur. A doctor can easily detect the sound or murmur during a routine examination with his stethoscope.
The abnormal sound or heart murmur can result due to:
· Leakage or narrowing of valves
· Certain structural defects of the heart
· Occurrence of abnormal passages that make blood flow near or within the heart.
Depending upon their timing, the murmurs can be systolic or diastolic murmurs. Doctors place these sounds in various grades according to their intensities like:
· Faint – Grade 1
· Soft – Grade 2
· Sound heard all over the pericardium – Grade 3
· Loud murmur with palpable thrill – Grade 4
· Extra loud with thrill – Grade 5
· Extra loud with thrill that can be heard even when the stethoscope is off the chest – Grade 6
Presence of heart murmur in a person does not mean that the person is really sick. Many healthy people especially children have the innocent type of murmur and can get on with their normal life. The murmur will go with passage of time. Sometimes a heart disease condition can result in abnormal murmur. This condition is sometimes present in children since birth. A good cardiologist will be able to distinguish between the two kinds of murmurs.
Reasons for having abnormal murmur:
· Presence of heart valve disease
· Congenital heart disease since birth
· Age related
· Any disease
· An infection.
Cases of abnormal murmur should not be ignored. They need a cardiologist’s attention and treatment. If you or your child has symptoms like:
· Chest pain
· Breathlessness
· Poor growth in children
· Inability to eat
· Bluish tinge on the skin.
Presence of these symptoms indicates a problematic heart accompanied with heart murmur. This condition needs immediate medical attention and treatment. Check with your cardiologist and seek relevant treatment through medication or surgery.
Posted on March 1, 2012
What is Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a common form of irregular heartbeat that is occasionally an indicator of other serious health issues. While it is not normally a serious condition, there are instances in which it can require emergency medical care.
Causes
The condition is caused by the upper chambers of the heart beating out of rhythm with the lower two chambers. In a normally functioning heart the rhythm of the heartbeat is coordinated by electrical impulses with the upper two (the atria) being keeping in rhythm with the bottom two (the ventricles). Atrial fibrillation is the condition wherein the two sets of chambers are out of sync with each other. The upper chambers beat rapidly and spasmodically, with the bottom two doing the same but to a lesser extent. In a normal heart, the rate of beats per minute ranges between 60 and 100, in a person who this type of irregular heartbeat, the rate may be as high as 175 beats per minute.
Symptoms
Atrial fibrillation usually presents with a rapid heartbeat, but there are other symptoms including swelling in various parts of the body (similar to the swelling from water retention), and angina. The symptoms may arise as a result of physical exertion or they may occur on their own. The episodes of this condition may also be occasional or chronic and can occur in different age groups regardless of an individual’s risk of heart disease.
Associated Conditions
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High blood pressure is a condition often linked with atrial fibrillation and therefore it may be a sign of an increased risk of stroke.
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One study has found that the condition is also often found in patients with sleep apnea.
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Patients who have diabetes also disproportionately suffer from this type of arrhythmia. The connection between the two conditions is not completely understood.
Posted on February 28, 2012
How do I get rid of Atrial Fibrillation ?
If you are suffering from Atrial fibrillation (also known as arrhythmia), you may be at risk of stroke and heart failure. Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat caused by a malfunction of the heart’s electrical system. The treatment can involve medication or the use of electricity. It has a number of causes including heart disease and thyroid disorders.
How do I get rid of Atrial Fibrillation ?
Medication or electricity may be used to as therapy for atrial fibrillation. The treatment to reset the heart
Posted on February 27, 2012
What are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation :
Atrial fibrillation is the rapid and irregular beating of the two upper chambers of the heart. It is due to the heart’s electrical system malfunctioning and may or may not be asymptomatic, meaning that you may never know that you have the condition. In some instances, the symptoms may be intermittent, coming and going, in others it may be a chronic condition. In any case, you may want to see a doctor to make sure that your atrial fibrillation is not a sign of a more serious condition.
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
It may present with any one of a number of symptoms including dizziness, fainting, angina, and a rapid, irregular heartbeat. Because the irregular heartbeat means that the heart is unable to pump all the blood that the rest of the body needs, the symptoms will largely be that of poor blood flow. The dizziness and fainting comes as a result of the brain not getting enough oxygen, and the angina is due to the heart muscles not getting a sufficient blood supply. Such problems as general fatigue and muscle weakness (similar to that which is felt after extreme physical exertion) may also be felt. The rapid heartbeat, where the upper and lower chambers of the heart are failing to coordinate with each other, may be uncomfortable and alarming.
Other conditions associated with atrial fibrillation
If it is undiagnosed and untreated, atrial fibrillation may cause strokes and other problems because of pooled blood in the heart clotting and breaking up. The fragments of blood clots may then travel to the brain and block blood vessels there. If you have atrial fibrillation over a long enough period of time, it may weaken your heart muscles and cause heart failure.
Posted on February 22, 2012
Can I Die From Atrial Fibrillation :
While atrial fibrillation may be associated with several potentially fatal conditions, it does not normally cause death. It is usually possible for a person with atrial fibrillation to adapt to living with it.
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
In a person suffering from atrial fibrillation, the two upper chambers of the heart beat out of rhythm due to problems in the heart’s electrical system. They quiver and this results in a rapid and irregular heartbeat. In someone suffering from this condition, the heart rate may be as high as 175 beats per minute, whereas in someone without the condition the heart rate is only between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Potentially Fatal Conditions Arising From Atrial Fibrillation
One potential problem with atrial fibrillation is the possibility of blood pooling in the upper chambers of the heart. When blood is not flowing it can clot, and with blood clots there is the possibility of pieces breaking off and traveling to the brain, causing a stroke. Sufferers of atrial fibrillation face a a risk of stroke that is considerably higher than that of people who do not have the condition. Taking blood thinning medication can substantially reduce the risk of strokes from blood clots.
In some cases atrial fibrillation can weaken the heart, reducing its ability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. In this situation the body may retain fluid in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary edema. If this happens, the person with atrial fibrillation is at risk of heart or respiratory failure.
Studies have shown that sufferers of atrial fibrillation are more likely to develop various forms of dementia (including Alzheimer’s Disease) than people who do not have the condition. Other studies have shown that having dementia doubles the patient’s risk of death within six years of diagnosis.
