Heart disease is the collective term for a series of coronary conditions. It is the most common type of death in North America, followed closely by cancer. Some heart conditions are acquired at birth, but the majority are attained throughout the course of your life. The following are three very common heart conditions which you can prevent:
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Overview - Atherosclerosis is essentially a buildup of cholesterol within your arteries. This assemblage of cholesterol creates what is called plaque. This plaque causes your artery walls to harden and narrow, restricting the flow of blood through that point.
Symptoms - There are generally no symptoms for atherosclerosis, until the buildup reaches a critical size. Once the plaque congests a large part of a major artery, the person may feel severe chest pain (angina).
Causes - Atherosclerosis is generally caused by poor choices in diet. These poor choices often include foods high in saturated and trans fat. These fats drastically increase the amount of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your blood. This type of cholesterol is very sticky, and is what causes the plaque buildups. Smoking also causes plaque buildup within the arteries.
Diagnosis - An angiography is required to diagnose atherosclerosis.
Treatment - Often times, the only treatment required is a change in your lifestyle. These changes include regular exercise, proper diet, and decreased alcohol/nicotine consumption. There are also medications available that reduce cholesterol levels. In extreme cases, surgery may be the only solution. If this is the case, an angioplasty would be needed.
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Overview - Congestive heart failure is a condition which affects the pumping strength of your heart. The contractions of your heart weaken, and your body is unable to acquire sufficient oxygen or nutrients. This can also lead to an excessive amount of fluids building up in your lungs which can lead to acute pulmonary edema, decreasing the ability for your body to exchange gases (O2 - CO2).
Symptoms - Luckily, there are many symptoms for congestive heart failure, which may help with a diagnosis. You may experience weight gain, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, fatigue, or swelling in the ankles and legs.
Causes - Congestive heart failure can be caused by many things. It may be caused by poor blood flow for an elongated period of time. This decreased blood flow is generally caused by plaque buildups. It may also be caused by a long period of hypertension (high blood pressure). It has a few other causes,
including an infection of the heart, diabetes, or excessive drug/alcohol consumption.
Diagnosis - For diagnosis, your doctor may require blood tests, various cardiograms, or a chest X-ray.
Treatment - The treatment for congestive heart failure is not a pleasant one. Often it will require many medications, and may also require cardiomyoplasty or even a heart transplant.
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Overview - Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease. It occurs when the aorta (coronary artery) is blocked. This blockage almost always results in a heart attack.
Symptoms - Early symptoms may include fatigue, pain, or disorientation. You also experience feelings of squeezing or burning within the chest.
Causes - Coronary artery disease is a later stage of atherosclerosis. It occurs when a clot becomes lodged in the already narrowed artery. Coronary artery disease is caused by extremely poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Smoking also contributes to this condition.
Diagnosis - An angiography or cardiogram is required to diagnose coronary artery disease.
Treatment - There are many medications and surgical procedures that reduce the lethality of coronary artery disease. These procedures include angioplasties, or even coronary artery bypass surgery.
PREVENTION
All that is required for excellent cardiac health is proper diet and regular exercise. A proper diet includes foods that are high in nutrients, and low in saturated and trans fats. These are foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken, grains, and various plants oils. Things you want to try and cut out of your diet include cheese, pork, baked goods, as well as any sort of processed foods. Regular exercise doesn't mean four hours on the treadmill each day either. Even something as simple as a twenty minute walk each day does wonders for your health. So, next time you have to get something at the corner store, leave your keys at home; get some exercise.