Heart Diseases
Heart diseases
Heart disease refers to various types of heart conditions that affect the heart’s ability to function properly. The most common type is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attacks. Other types of heart disease include:
- Arrhythmias – Abnormal heart rhythms.
- Cardiomyopathy – Disease of the heart muscle.
- Heart valve disease – Dysfunction of the heart valves.
- Heart failure – When the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
- Congenital heart defects – Problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth.
Key Risk Factors:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy diet
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Symptoms:
- Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
Prevention & Management:
- Healthy diet (low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium)
- Regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Not smoking or quitting smoking
- Managing stress
- Regular check-ups and monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels
Treatment for heart disease may involve lifestyle changes, medications, or in severe cases, medical procedures like angioplasty, bypass surgery, or pacemaker implantation.