Where Knowledge Rules

Health & Fitness:

Disease

Get a Widget for this title

A look at heart disease

Heart Disease is a number one killer among men and women equally and it can be a little overwhelming to understand it. There are preventative measures that can be taken to ensure that your risk of this disease is visibly reduced. There are many types of heart disease that require different treatments and tests used in diagnosis.

Types of Heart Disease

1. Coronary Artery Disease This type of heart disease is commonly referred to as the number one killer of people. The coronary arteries become clogged and narrowed. The blood flow to the heart is restricted and it becomes starved for oxygen and necessary nutrients needed to function properly. Symptoms include shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, skipped beats, fast heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, sweating.

2. Heart Attack Also known as myocardial infraction. When plaque is hard, there is a rupture and the platelets which help with the clotting of blood come to help. If the blood clot blocks the artery completely, the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen. Symptoms include, pain in chest, pressure, discomfort in back, jaw, throat, arm. Also included are indigestion, nausea, sweating, extreme weakness, anxiety, rapid or irregular heartbeat.

3. Irregular Heart Rhythm Also known as dysrhythmia or arrhythmia which means irregular heartbeat. Heart rates can also be abnormal. Can be silent and not cause any symptoms. Symptoms include palpitations, pounding in chest, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and fatigue.

4. Atrial Fibrillation An irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of having a stroke and heart disease. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, fatigue.

5. Heart Valve Disease Occurs when the heart valves do not work the way they are supposed to. Symptoms include shortness of breath, weakness, swelling of feet, ankles, or abdomen, rapid weight gain.

6. Patent Ductus Arteriosus Mostly occurs in premature babies. It is a heart defect when there is an opening between the main heart vessels. Thankfully, this situation is treatable.

7. Sudden Death Cardiac Arrest This situation occurs when there is a sudden unexpected death caused by the loss of the hearts ability to function (cardiac arrest). Death follows if no emergency treatment is given. Symptoms include racing heart beat, dizziness.

8. Congenital Heart Disease Congenital heart disease is a defect or malformation in the structures of the heart or blood vessels usually occurring before birth. Common types are heart valve defects or defects


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

A look at heart disease

  • 1 of 31

    by Ann Johnstone

    Fifty years ago the most common cause of death would have been an infection of some kind. Today in western countries cardiovascular

    read more

  • 2 of 31

    by Shannon Beineke

    Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In fact, approximately 650,000 Americans die of heart disease annually.

    read more

  • 3 of 31

    by Amy Wilber

    Heart Disease is a number one killer among men and women equally and it can be a little overwhelming to understand it. There

    read more

  • 4 of 31

    by Rana Williamson

    The culprits are many - genetics, obesity, smoking, inactivity - but they all commit the same crime. They destroy the human

    read more

  • 5 of 31

    by Cory Davison

    Heart disease is the collective term for a series of coronary conditions. It is the most common type of death in North America,

    read more

View All Articles on:
A look at heart disease

Add your voice

Know something about A look at heart disease?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Does buying “pink” help breast cancer patients, or just profits?

Click for your side.

102293

Featured Partner

Breakthrough India

Breakthrough India has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to write for a cause. Browse Breakthrough's ...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA