Heart diseases

Today, many heart diseases are described in the world, different in nature and degree of danger. Each has its own symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatments. Some pathologies are treated with medication and lifestyle changes. Others may require surgery.

“Heart problems are possible at any age,” says Cardiologist Natalya Gavrilyuk. – There are congenital anomalies of the heart, there is a pathology of the heart in children. But, of course, the older the population, the more diseases of the heart and blood vessels we will find in it. The sad moment is that diseases of the cardiovascular system are “getting younger”. If even 10 years ago in residency I rarely met patients at the age of 30 with hypertension, today it is not at all uncommon.

What are heart diseases

Heart disease is any disease that affects the structure or function of the heart. Most people consider heart disease to be one disease. But in fact, heart disease is a very large group of pathological conditions with many different underlying causes.

There are many different types of heart disease. Some types can be grouped according to how they affect the structure or function of the heart.

Cardiac ischemia. Called IHD for short, it is the most common heart problem, especially in older people. With coronary artery disease, a person may experience blockages in the coronary arteries (coronary arteries) – the vessels that supply blood to the tissues of the heart itself. Usually, the vessels are clogged with blood clots (blood clots) or a piece of detached atherosclerotic plaque (dense fatty substance with blood cells adhering to it). This can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, preventing it from getting the oxygen it needs. The disease usually begins as a result of atherosclerosis, a condition sometimes referred to as hardening or “fatty” of the arteries. The vessels do not close completely, leaving a small gap through which very little blood passes. Coronary heart disease can cause chest pain, called angina pectoris, or can lead to a heart attack (heart attack) if the vessel closes completely.

There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing coronary heart disease:

• age – for men, the risk of heart disease increases after 55 years, for women – after menopause;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• diabetes or metabolic syndrome;
• family history of coronary artery disease (heart problems in close relatives);
• genetics;
• high blood pressure;
• high levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) or low levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL);
• obesity;
• smoking;
• stress.

cardiac arrhythmias. When an arrhythmia develops, the heart beats irregularly. Serious arrhythmias often occur due to other heart problems, but can also occur on their own as an independent disease.

Heart failure. In heart failure, the heart does not pump blood as it should, and cannot meet the body’s needs for oxygen and nutrients (it is the blood that delivers them to the tissues). This condition usually occurs as a result of coronary heart disease, but can also develop with thyroid disease, high blood pressure, damage to the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), or certain other conditions.

Heart valve damage. Our heart has four valves that open and close to properly direct blood flow between the four chambers of the heart, the lungs, and the blood vessels. A defect can make it difficult to properly open and close the valve.

If the valve is damaged, blood flow can be severely obstructed (when the valve narrows sharply) or excess blood can flow through it (if the valve is too wide, stretched). Also, the valve may open and close incorrectly.

Causes of heart valve problems include infections such as post-streptococcal rheumatic fever, congenital heart defects, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or as a complication of a heart attack (heart attack).

Heart valve diseases include:

• Endocarditis. This is an infection that is usually caused by bacteria that enter the bloodstream and take root in the heart during illness, after surgery, or after intravenous medication. This often happens if a person already has valve problems. Usually the disease can be stopped with antibiotics, but without treatment it is life-threatening. If the heart valves are severely damaged as a result of endocarditis, a person may need surgery to replace the valve.
• Rheumocarditis. This condition develops when the heart muscle and valves are damaged by rheumatic fever, which is associated with angina and scarlet fever. Rheumatic heart disease was common in the early XNUMXth century. But doctors can now prevent it by using antibiotics to treat the conditions that lead to it. If a person does get sick, symptoms usually appear many years after infection.

Diseases of the pericardium. These are any pathologies of the pericardium – the sac surrounding the heart. One of the most common is pericarditis, or inflammation of the pericardium. This condition is usually caused by viruses, inflammatory diseases (such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis), or damage to the pericardium. Pericarditis often occurs after open heart surgery.

Cardiomyopathy. This is a disease of the heart muscle itself (myocardium). It can stretch, thicken or become too “hard”, lose elasticity. In such cases, the heart may become too weak to actively contract.

There are many possible causes of the disease, including genetic heart disease, reactions to certain drugs or toxins (such as alcohol), and infections caused by viruses. Sometimes, chemotherapy for cancer treatment also causes cardiomyopathy. But often doctors cannot find the exact cause, and then the disease is called idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

Congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease occurs when problems develop during the formation of the heart in a baby who is still in the womb. Heart defects sometimes appear immediately after birth, but other times there are no symptoms until the person is an adult.

Septal defects are one of the most common congenital heart problems. These are holes in the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart. You can solve the problem with the help of the operation.

Another type of defect is pulmonary artery stenosis. A valve that is too narrow causes a decrease in blood flow to the lungs. It is also treated with surgery.

In some babies, a small blood vessel known as the ductus arteriosus (Botalla) does not close at birth when it should. If it remains open, some of the blood leaks back into the pulmonary artery, which puts a strain on the heart. Doctors can treat this malformation with surgery and sometimes medication.

How is heart disease treated?

When a doctor diagnoses heart disease, he will definitely ask about the symptoms that the patient is experiencing. The doctor will also evaluate the medical history. They will then perform a physical exam during which they will listen to the heart, check the heart rate and measure the blood pressure.

Once a doctor suspects a person may have a heart condition, they will do additional tests, such as an ECG. This test can help identify any abnormalities in the heart muscle. X-rays, echocardiography, CT, MRI, or angiography are then performed to obtain images of the heart. In addition to these tests, stress testing may be performed.

Because there are different types of heart disease, treatment depends on the condition. Treatment for heart disease includes taking medication (if available for the condition), keeping the condition stable, and finding ways to control symptoms.

Congenital heart defects are treated with certain medications. Minor problems usually do not require medication. In more complex cases, the doctor may recommend a catheterization procedure or surgery. In rare cases, congenital heart disease cannot be treated at all.

Treatment for heart failure depends on the cause. Usually, the patient needs to take certain medications to control their symptoms. Your doctor may recommend implanting devices, such as defibrillators or pacemakers, which are used to improve the functioning of the heart. Heart transplantation, also in heart failure, can only be recommended for certain categories of patients.

Heart valve disease can be treated with medication. But sometimes the only way to correct it may be surgery, especially if it is a severe case of heart valve disease. Heart valve surgery involves replacing it with an artificial one or repairing your own valve that is behaving abnormally.

Coronary artery disease is treated with medications such as beta-blockers, blood thinners, and ACE inhibitors. Your doctor may prescribe medication to lower your high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Surgery such as open heart bypass or balloon angioplasty and stenting may be required to treat coronary artery disease.

Treatment for cardiomyopathy depends on its cause. The doctor may prescribe medication. For some patients, he may recommend a heart transplant, but this depends on the severity of the condition.

Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias depends on the type of pathology. Drugs are often prescribed to restore the heart rate. Medications, such as warfarin, may also be prescribed to help prevent blood clots or recommend cardioversion. Electrophysiological studies and ablation techniques may be required.

Pericarditis does not always require treatment because it goes away on its own. But the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. In the case of a chronic problem, fluid drainage can be performed – removing it from the pericardial cavity). If the case is severe, heart surgery or corticosteroid hormones may be recommended.

If there are no other treatment options, a heart transplant is recommended. It is usually done only in cases of high risk of heart failure, heart defects, severe coronary heart disease, or dilated cardiomyopathy.

Prevention of heart disease

There are many ways to prevent heart disease.

• Healthy food. Reduce salt and sugar intake. Eat fish and lean meats, fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Dairy products are better to choose fat-free. It is equally important to cut down on trans fats found in cookies, baked goods and packaged snacks. However, fats cannot be completely eliminated. The diet should include olive oil and nuts – they are good for the heart.

– Antioxidants, fiber, water and minerals, as well as other biologically active components have a positive effect on the state of the cardiovascular system as a whole, – says general practitioner, endocrinologist, cardiologist Alexey Zhito. – Restrictions here are possible for patients with certain diseases of the digestive tract and diabetes. The optimal amount of recommended fruits and vegetables for a daily diet can be checked with your doctor.

• Physical activity. To reduce the risk of heart disease, you need to exercise. Exercise helps improve circulation and strengthen the heart, as well as maintaining a healthy body weight, which reduces the chances of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

– Insufficient physical activity, of course, is among the leading causes of cardiovascular diseases, states the fact general practitioner, endocrinologist, cardiologist Alexey Zhito. – We recommend normal activity during the day and more vigorous aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times a week (unless contraindicated).

You can start by walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes 5 days a week. Strength training will also help. If it is not possible to spend 30 minutes on sports at once, you can break the classes into parts – work out 10 minutes in the morning, 10 in the afternoon and 10 in the evening.

Good prevention of heart disease can be gardening and dog walking.

• Healthy sleep. A full 8-hour sleep will keep your heart healthy.
• Fight stress. Try to reduce your daily stress levels.

“Regular walks in the fresh air, communication with relatives and friends, sports and regular sex life will help with this,” says general practitioner, endocrinologist, cardiologist Alexey Zhito.

• Rejection of bad habits. Alcohol and cigarettes increase the risk of heart disease. It is better to refuse them. Moreover, not only active, but also passive smoking is dangerous.

– The state has adopted a number of legislative acts to reduce the harm from smoking, but everyone should also strive to reduce the impact of passive smoking – limit the time spent in places where people smoke, ask to leave outerwear at the entrance to the premises, carry out wet cleaning, recommends Doctor Alexey Zhito. – For those who cannot give up smoking, individual smoking cessation plans have been developed, smoking cessation rooms have been opened.

• Regular doctor visits. Get screened for diabetes, check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to treat.

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