Know the Characteristics of Heart Disease

What is heart disease?

Heart disease is commonly defined as conditions that cause the blood vessels to become narrow or blocked, or adversely affect the heart’s muscles, valves, and rhythm.

Types of heart disease

• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
  Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by blockages in the coronary arteries due to plaque deposits which contain cholesterol. The narrowing of the coronary arteries prevents oxygen-rich blood and nutrients from reaching the heart.
• Heart arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) 
  When the heart does not beat at a normal rhythm, it either beats too quickly (tachycardia) or too slowly (bradycardia). While everyone occasionally experiences irregular heartbeats, recurring arrhythmias can become fatal if left untreated.
• Congenital heart disease 
  Those born with heart defects are known to have congenital heart disease, where it comes in many forms such as having a hole between two of the heart’s chambers (commonly known as a “hole in the heart”), a narrower aorta and pulmonary valve, or an underdeveloped heart.
• Congestive heart failure 
  Congestive heart failure does not mean that the heart has completely stopped functioning; rather, it is at a stage where it has been thoroughly weakened and is unable to pump blood throughout the body efficiently.

Symptoms of heart disease

It is important to know the warning signs of heart disease. Some symptoms of heart disease include:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms and legs
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, or back
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Excessive sweating

Risks Factors

While not all may suffer from heart disease, there are several factors which can increase one’s likelihood of developing it as listed below:

• Age 
• Family 
• Smoking 
• Poor dietary habits
• Physical inactivity and obesity 
• Stress 

Can heart disease be prevented?

Even though there is no known cure for heart disease, here are several ways of lowering your risk for heart disease:

• Do not smoke or use tobacco Smoking has been well known to be the main contributing factor to heart disease 
• Be physically active - Moderate exercise such as brisk walking for at least 30 minutes per day.
• Practice a healthy diet - Avoid foods high in trans-fat, saturated fats, and sodium (e.g. red meat, deep-fried foods, coconut oil, packaged snacks etc.). 
• Maintain a healthy weight - Keep track of your BMI 
• Get enough sleep - The recommended hours of sleep for adults is seven to nine hours. 
• Manage stress - Find ways to reduce stress (i.e. meditation, exercise, or listening to soothing music)
• Regular health screenings - Preventive care can keep diseases away and detect problems early.

At Island Hospital, Our dedicated team of cardiologists specialise in medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, vascular heart diseases and cardiac rehabilitation services to get you back on your feet and into your life following surgery or medical intervention.