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What Are The Main Causes Of Ischemic Heart Disease?

What Are The Main Causes Of Ischemic Heart Disease?

Introduction

Commonly known as coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease can put a person at risk of chest pain, heart attacks and other complications. The main causes of ischemic heart disease are accumulation of plaques in the coronary arteries, that cause reduced flow of blood or blockage in flow of blood. This is the reason for symptoms and complications. Let us take a quick look at the main reasons behind the condition.

  1. Buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries narrows the arteries, reducing or blocking flow of blood to the heart.
  2. Hypertension is known to damage the arteries, exposing the arteries to risk of plaque buildup.
  3. High levels of LDL cholesterol is also a reason for plaque build-up in the arteries. In a similar manner, low levels of HDL cholesterol will reduce the body’s ability to remove excess cholesterol.
  4. Smoking is known to damage blood vessels, contributing to accumulation of plaque, and increases blood pressure, increasing risk levels.
  5. High levels of blood sugar bring about damage to the arteries while exposing the person to risk of atherosclerosis.
  6. When body weight increases, it is increases blood pressure, cholesterol levels, while exposing to risk of diabetes. All of these conditions are known to contribute to risk of IHD.
  7. An absence of sufficient physical activity causes obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. All of these conditions are known risk factors.
  8. A diet that is rich in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sugars may increase the risk of obesity. This indirectly contributes to risk of heart disease.
  9. A patient with a family history of heart disease may be at higher risk of heart disease at a young age.

10.   Age, gender are also risk factors with men at higher risk than women before menopause. Post menopause, women are at increased risk, either similar to more than that of men.

Overview Of Acynotic Heart Disease

As part of understanding causes of ischemic heart disease, here is a look at a congenital condition commonly known as acyanotic heart disease. This refers to a category of congenital heart defects that do not usually cause cyanosis, the bluish appearance of the skin, as a result of low oxygen levels. Before we take a look at the overview, it is important to note that presently genetic testing facilities are available in Tamilnadu. These advanced testing facilities help in determining presence of inherited conditions or congenital defects. This helps in predicting future risk of the condition, thereby ensuring timely and appropriate treatment.

The most common type of acyanotic heart defects includes the left-to-right defects. In this scenario, the mixing of oxygen-rich blood from the left side with blood on the right side, causes increased blood flow to the lungs.

Commonly Reported Symptoms Of Acyanotic Heart Disease

The following range of symptoms may be experienced, and this depends on the type of defect and its intensity. 

  •       Difficulty breathing.
  •       Overall tiredness.
  •       Abnormal heart sound
  •       Lesser than common growth and weight gain among infants
  •       Repetitive respiratory infections.
  •       Sweating in infants, mainly when breastfeeding. 

Are There Possibilities Of Reversing Heart Disease?

As part of efforts to learn causes of ischemic heart disease, let us look at the possibilities of reversing heart disease. Certain aspects of heart disease can be reversed, especially in the early stages. Advanced heart disease will result in permanent structural damage, but changes to lifestyle, medication regimen, and surgical procedures can help manage the condition. This could either slow down, stop, or even reverse the effects of certain heart diseases. 

  1. Changes to lifestyle

A heart-healthy diet, for instance, the Mediterranean diet, can reverse the progression of buildup of plaque in the arteries. Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, this diet helps reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels.

Routine physical activity helps to strengthen the heart muscle, and improves flow of blood. This brings down blood pressure levels. Exercises could include aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming.

Managing weight by reducing modest amounts of weight can significantly bring down the workload of the heart. Weight reduction improves blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels.

Smoking is a strong contributor to risk and quitting is an highly effective option to improve heart health. Within a short span after quitting, the risk of heart disease from smoking drops considerably, this progresses over time. 

  1. Medication

The use of medicines like statins lower cholesterol levels and reduce the amount of buildup of plaque in arteries. This has the effect of slowing or partially reversing atherosclerosis.

The use of medicines for lowering blood pressure levels prevent further damage to the arteries. This allows the heart to function more efficiently.

Drugs likes antiplatelets or blood thinners prevent formation of blood clots. This reduces the risk of heart attacks in people with coronary artery disease.

  1. Procedures

Specialist procedures like angioplasty and placement of stent can open up blocked arteries. This will restore flow of blood to the heart and also reduce symptoms.

Coronary artery bypass surgery allows blood to flow around blocked arteries by creating new pathways. This improves flow of blood to the heart muscle.

  1. Specially designed holistic intensive programs

Certain specially designed programs focus on plant-based diets, fitness regimen, and stress management. Additionally, the formation of a community with support groups, has helped many members achieve promising results in reversing buildup of plaque. This has greatly helped people with coronary artery disease.

Limitations of attempts in reversing heart disease

It is important to note that reversing heart disease is technically possible to a certain extent, but only in some conditions. Examples of people achieving significant improvements, and a complete reversal of heart disease is always limited to certain types of heart disease. This many not be always possible in patients with advanced stages of heart disease.

After damage to heart tissue, it is not possible to regenerate the scarred portions. This occurs after an heart attack. However, by combing the right lifestyle changes and medications, further damage can be prevented.  

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What are the common risk factors of heart disease?

What Are The Common Risk Factors Of Heart Disease?

Introduction

Broadly divided as modifiable and non-modifiable, the risk factors of heart disease contribute to the development or progression of the condition. It is important to be fully aware of these risk factors and take suitable remedial measures to reduce the risk of heart disease. This can be tackled through early detection, identification of symptoms and following recommended mitigating measures. Here is a quick overview of risks and conditions that are linked to heart disease.

What Is The Connection Between Obesity And Heart Disease?

Obesity is closely linked to heart disease and is considered as one of the risk factors of heart disease. This is mainly because excessive body weight leads to conditions that increase the risk of heart disease. Here is a quick look at the connection between obesity and heart disease: 

Aggravates/contributes to cardiovascular problems

  • Obesity results in conditions that increase the possibility of developing or aggravating heart disease. For instance, excess body fat is known to elevate blood pressure levels, and this strains the heart, damaging arteries.
  • Obesity is also linked with high levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol. This causes plaque buildup in the arteries.
  • Obesity can lead to diabetes, and this increases the risk of heart disease as high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels gradually.

Strain on heart

Obesity adds to the workload on the heart, as blood needs to be pumped to bigger body mass. This causes left ventricular hypertrophy, where the heart’s left ventricle thickens due to the increased workload. This increases the risk of heart failure.

Inflammation, fat buildup

  • Obesity causes low-grade inflammation in the body, and this chronic condition leads to atherosclerosis.
  • Fat in the abdominal area is known as visceral fat, and is harmful and clearly linked with heart disease.

Other risk factors

Obese people often lead a sedentary lifestyle, increasing risk of heart disease.

Obesity may cause from sleep apnea, wherein breathing is interrupted during sleep. This causes high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and develops into heart disease.

Yes, snoring is linked to heart disease, mainly because of the link between obstructive sleep apnea and heart disease. Sleep apnea, as mentioned above is one of the risk factors of heart disease. Here is a look at the link between snoring and heart disease:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea – is a condition when the airway repeatedly gets blocked while asleep. This has an impact on breathing and causes the person to wake up. While snoring is a symptom of OSA, it is wrong to assume that all people who snore may have sleep apnea. When the airway is repeatedly blocked, this reduces blood oxygen levels, increasing the strain on the cardiovascular system.
  • Risks from obstructive sleep apnea – include high blood pressure levels, and hypertension is regarded as a silent killer, with the risk increasing over time. Other risks of developing heart disease include coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and atrial fibrillation.

Quick Outline Of Triglycerides And Heart Disease Impact

One of the key risk factors of heart disease include triglycerides. Here is a quick overview of triglycerides and impact on heart disease. Triglycerides are essentially a type of fat in the blood, that stores energy from food intake. This is then utilized when there is a requirement for energy between meals.

The normal range for triglycerides is less than 150 mg/dL, while the borderline is 150–199 mg/dL. Levels between 200–499 mg/dL are considered as high, while levels above 500 mg/dL are classified as very high.  High levels of triglycerides contribute to the plaque buildup in the arteries, causing atherosclerosis. High triglyceride levels are linked with increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and type 2 diabetes

Intermittent fasting is linked to heart disease positively as well as negatively. Here is an overview of this link, touching upon one of the risk factors of heart disease.

Positive effects  

  • Intermittent fasting can reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, as a result of reduced calorie intake.  
  • Intermittent fasting is also known to decrease inflammation in the body, due to reduced oxidative stress.
  • Weight loss is another benefit that reduces the risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
  • Insulin sensitivity improves in people on intermittent fasting, thereby managing blood sugar levels.

Negative effects  

  • Possibility of overeating during phases of eating, that may cancel the benefits of fasting.
  • There is a possibility of not meeting the body’s nutrient requirements. 
  • Extended fasting is likely to impact heart rate and rhythm, though this is only for a small percentage of people.

What Are The Causes Of Coronary Heart Disease?

The main causes of coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease is due to blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. This causes reduced flow of blood to the heart muscle. Here is a quick overview of the main reasons which also happen to be risk factors of heart disease:

  • Atherosclerosis – refers to the condition where fatty deposits on the walls of the coronary arteries, result in narrowing, reducing blood flow. This is due to high levels of LDL, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and smoking.
  • Risk factors – are classified as unmodifiable and modifiable. The unmodifiable risk factors include age, gender, and family history. People with a family history of heart disease may be at increased risk. This is due to genetic predisposition, that can be ascertained through advanced genetic testing facilities in Tamilnadu. Blood or saliva samples are collected for analysis, and the test reports will either rule out or confirm genetic predisposition. The modifiable risk factors include high blood pressure, high levels of LDL cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity and lifestyle. These risk factors can be reduced through medications, changes in lifestyle and dietary habits.
  • Other contributing factors – include chronic inflammation from existing conditions, chronic stress, sleep apnea, wrong diet and physically inactive lifestyle.
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What are the heart disease types?

What Types Of Heart Disease Afflict Valves?

Introduction

One of the different types of heart disease is rheumatic heart disease, valvular heart disease. In India, this is prevalent in states where health infrastructure is poor. Greater awareness of the causes for rheumatic heart disease can considerably reduce the prevalence and ensure proper prevention and treatment. This will help bring about better recovery among patients.

What Is Ischemic Heart Disease ICD 10?

This refers to the code for ischemic heart disease in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition. All types of heart disease belonging to ischemic heart disease category belong to the category I20-I25. Here is a quick outline of the ICD-10 codes:

I20 – Angina Pectoris

I20.0: Unstable angina

I20.1: Angina pectoris with documented spasm

I20.8: Other forms of angina pectoris

I20.9: Angina pectoris, unspecified

I21 – Acute Myocardial Infarction

I21.0: ST elevation myocardial infarction of the anterior wall

I21.1: ST elevation myocardial infarction of the inferior wall

I21.9: Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified

I22 – Subsequent Myocardial Infarction

I22.0: Subsequent ST elevation myocardial infarction of the anterior wall

I22.1: Subsequent ST elevation myocardial infarction of the inferior wall

I22.9: Subsequent myocardial infarction, unspecified

I23 – Complications of Acute Myocardial Infarction

I23.0: Rupture of the heart wall due to acute myocardial infarction

I23.1: Acute myocardial infarction complicated by other heart failure

I23.9: Complications of acute myocardial infarction, unspecified

I24 – Other Acute Ischemic Heart Diseases

I24.0: Myocardial infarction due to coronary artery spasm

I24.1: Acute ischemic heart disease due to embolism of coronary artery

I24.9: Acute ischemic heart disease, unspecified

I25 – Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease

I25.0: Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary arteries

I25.1: Atherosclerotic heart disease of grafts

I25.8: Other forms of chronic ischemic heart disease

I25.9: Chronic ischemic heart disease, unspecified

These codes help in diagnosis and documentation of ischemic heart disease, especially in medical records. This assists effective management of patient’s records and treatment, and also helps in structuring records for statistical analysis.

What Does Stable Ischemic Heart Disease Mean?

This is one among the many heart disease types and refers to a chronic condition due to stable coronary artery disease. This triggers predictable symptoms, usually angina, that can be managed to a certain extent. Here is a quick look at the characteristics of the condition.

There are clear and predictable symptoms like angina that follows a pattern, due to physical exertion, stress, etc. This is usually relieved with rest or recommended medications.

Stable angina refers to chest pain experienced when the heart muscle does not receive sufficient blood and oxygen. This is felt as some kind of pressure, or squeezing sensation, or a full feeling in the chest. This may usually be relieved with rest or with medicines like nitroglycerin.

When it is labelled as chronic, it means it is long-term and stable. It indicates that the condition has not progressed or aggravated in a period. This can be managed with changes to lifestyle, medicines, and periodic monitoring.

Which Is The Most Common Cyanotic Heart Disease?

As we look at different types of heart disease, it is time to look at the most common cyanotic heart disease in children – Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition is due to a combination of four heart defects resulting in poor supply of oxygenated blood. This causes a bluish appearance of the skin and lips from low oxygen levels and is known as cyanosis Let us look at the different conditions that cause Tetralogy of Fallot:

  1. Ventricular Septal Defect – a condition where a hole forms between the left and right ventricles of the heart.
  2. Pulmonary stenosis – a condition where the outflow tract from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery is narrowed. This restricts the flow of blood to the lungs.
  3. Overriding aorta – a condition where the aorta is positioned over the ventricular septal defect, across the left and right ventricles. This is instead of the normal position over the left ventricle.
  4. Right ventricular hypertrophy – a condition where the muscular walls of the right ventricle are thickened as a result of increased pressure.

What Are The Different Types Of Rheumatic Heart Disease?

There are different types of heart disease as subsets of rheumatic heart disease. The condition is attributed to rheumatic fever due to untreated strep throat or scarlet fever. Rheumatic heart disease typically affects the heart valves causing multiple complications.  Different types are outlined below:

  1. Mitral stenosis – a condition caused by narrowing of the mitral valve, affecting flow of blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
  2. Mitral regurgitation – a condition where the mitral valve leaks, causing blood to flow back into the left atrium when the left ventricle contracts.
  3. Aortic stenosis – a condition where the aortic valve is narrowed, limiting flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta.
  4. Aortic regurgitation – a condition where the aortic valve starts leaking, permitting blood to flow back to the left ventricle.
  5. Tricuspid valve involvement – a condition that is not common commonly linked to rheumatic fever. However, this can cause narrowing or leakage.
  6. Pulmonary valve involvement – a condition that causes pulmonary stenosis or narrowing or leakage.
  7. Mixed valve disease – a condition where the rheumatic heart disease affects more than one valve, causing stenosis and leakage in different valves.
  8. Carditis – a condition causing inflammation of the heart muscle along with valve damage.

What Are The Various Types Of Valvular Heart Disease?

Disorders affecting one or more of the heart’s valves is known as valvular heart disease. This is one of the types of heart disease affecting the normal flow of blood through the heart. The different types of valvular heart disease include the following:

  • Mitral Valve Stenosis – narrowing of the mitral valve.
  • Mitral Valve Regurgitation – leakage of the mitral valve.
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis – narrowing of the aortic valve.
  • Aortic Valve Regurgitation – leakage of the aortic valve.
  • Tricuspid Valve Stenosis – narrowing of the tricuspid valve.
  • Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation – leakage of the tricuspid valve.
  • Pulmonary Valve Stenosis – narrowing of the pulmonary valve.
  • Pulmonary Valve Regurgitation – leakage of the pulmonary valve.
  • Mixed Valve Disease – multiple valves involvement.
  • Endocarditis-Related Valve Disease – valve damage as a result of infection.
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What Are The Effective And Top Precautions For Heart Disease Diet Plan?

What Are The Effective And Top Precautions For Heart Disease?

Introduction

A lot has been written about heart disease and symptoms and treatment options. However, many people are unaware of the right kind of heart disease diet plan that is effective and easy to follow. Here is a roundup of the top and effective precautions that you need to consider.

What is the ideal heart disease diet plan?

The ideal diet for people with heart disease, also known as the heart-healthy diet, is part of the precautions for heart disease. This diet focuses on improving cardiovascular health, controlling cholesterol levels, and bringing down blood pressure levels. This diet is also focused on weight management. Let’s take a look at heart-healthy diet plan:

  1. More of plant-based preparations – this is one of the main focus areas, i.e. to increase intake of plant based food. A variety of fruits and vegetables are recommended, especially leafy greens, berries, oranges, and carrots. Patients are increase whole grains such as brown rice, oats, whole wheat, barley, and quinoa, rich high in fiber, to lower cholesterol levels. Legumes like beans, lentils, and peas are known to be the ideal sources of protein and fiber with lesser fat.

  2. Stick to healthy fats – such as fat from olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish lower LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. Saturated fats intake is to be controlled significantly, for instance intake of red meat, butter, full-fat dairy products, and processed foods are to be limited.  Trans fats found in fried and processed foods are to be removed from diet. This is known to increase risk of heart disease by increasing LDL cholesterol levels and lowering HDL cholesterol.

  3. Intake of Omega-3 fatty acids – this is known to be heart-friendly fats that reduce inflammation, lowering risk of heart disease. This is typically found in salmon, mackerel, sardines, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and fish oil supplements.

  4. Cut down salt – high sodium levels will elevate your blood pressure, that happens to be a major risk factor for heart disease. Ensure that your daily intake is lesser than 2,300 mg of sodium, and if possible, below 1,500 mg per day for optimum blood pressure control.

  5. Lean proteins – most people may find it difficult to understand the term lean proteins. Essentially, this includes skinless poultry, lean cuts of beef and tenderloin of pork. If your dietary preferences are vegetarian, then choose beans, lentils, and tofu as alternatives. Ensure that you take fish twice a week, for your supply of heart-healthy omega-3s.

  6. Other changes – include cutting down on added sugars, such as soda, coffee drinks, and sweetened juices. Limit portion sizes, and be aware of calorie-dense foods such as nuts, oils, and whole grains. Keep away from alcohol, as it is a contributor to risk.

What is intermittent fasting heart disease?

Intermittent fasting refers to a special diet plan or pattern, where the person incudes phases of eating and fasting. While it is not considered as part of the precautions for heart disease , it is the subject of studies to check its contribution as part of holistic treatment. Here is a look at some of the common intermittent fasting patterns:

  •  16/8 method – where the person fasts for 16 hours and eats only during an 8-hour window.
  •  5:2 method – where the person eats normally for five days of the week, followed by intake of very few calories on two days. These two days are not consecutive, but spaced apart.
  •   24-hour fast – where the person fasts for 24 hours either once or twice a week.
  •  Alternate-day fasting – where the person alternates between eating one day and fasting on the next day.

Does It prevent or reverse heart disease?

Intermittent fasting can improve certain risk factors linked to heart disease. However, it is not regarded as a direct treatment option for heart disease. It may help reduce the possibility of developing heart disease or it may improve heart health when combined with other lifestyle changes.

Why is health education for heart disease plan very important?

Health education is a key dimension in heart disease diet plan by educating people on options to prevent and manage the condition. Let us take a look at the different ways in which it can help:

  1. Increasing awareness of risk factors:

This gives people the right kind of information to understand key risk factors for heart disease, including:

  •       High blood pressure
  •       High cholesterol
  •       Smoking
  •       Obesity
  •       Diabetes
  •       Poor diet
  •       Stress
  1. Helps with early detection:  

When heart disease conditions are detected early, this can considerably improve outcomes. For instance, awareness about advanced genetic testing facilities in Tamil Nadu continues to help people undergo genetic testing for certain conditions. This gives individuals advance information about future or lifetime risk of heart disease due to inherited conditions or congenital conditions. Additionally, this helps people recognize early warning signs of heart disease, like:

  •       Pain in the chest or discomfort.
  •       Difficulty breathing.
  •       Tiredness.
  •       Dizzy feelings. 
  •       Swelling in the feet.
  1. Promotes lifestyle modifications, such as diet, need for regular exercise, quitting smoking, weight management.

Is heart disease caused by air pollution?

Air pollution can be a contributor to heart disease, as exposure to pollutants over time damages the cardiovascular system. As part of precautions for heart disease here is what you need to know about air pollution and its link to heart disease:

  •       Harmful particulate matter from car exhaust, industries, and fossil fuels.
  •       Nitrogen dioxide from vehicles, power plants, and industries.
  •       Ozone gas from reaction of pollutants in sunlight.
  •       Carbon monoxide released by gasoline.

These pollutants enter the lungs and pass into the bloodstream, resulting in possible inflammation in blood vessels. Pollutants also increase oxidative stress, and raise blood pressure, apart from blood clot formation. 

Heart diseases from air pollution include:

  •       Coronary artery disease.
  •       Arrhythmias.
  •       Heart failure.
  •       Heart attacks and strokes.

Which are the best heart disease foods to eat?

Your precautions for heart disease should include awareness of food products that are ideal or heart-friendly. This includes the following:

  •       Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.
  •       Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard.
  •       Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons.
  •       Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
  •       Oats, brown rice, barley, and quinoa.
  •       Whole wheat bread, pasta.
  •       Avocados, almonds, walnuts.
  •       Flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds.
  •       Salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna. 
  •       Beans, Lentils, and Peas.
  •       Olive oil, canola oil, flaxseed oil.
  •       Low-fat yogurt, skimmed milk, low-fat cheese. 
  •       Dark chocolate.
  •       Green Tea
  •       Garlic
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What are the different treatment options for rheumatic heart diseases?

What are the different treatment options for rheumatic heart diseases?

Introduction

sCertain conditions and factors contribute to increased risk of rheumatic heart diseases, and there is a clear ack of awareness among high risk populations. Here is a good look at the factors that are considered as critical risk and the different treatment options available to manage the condition with better outcomes.

What is rheumatic heart diseases in Tamil?

In Tamil, rheumatic heart disease is pronounced as rheumatic ithaya noi or vatha idhaya noi.  Rheumatic heart disease refers to the condition where the valves of the heart are damaged due to rheumatic fever. This arises due to a complication of poorly treated or untreated strep throat. The damaged heart valves cause long terms heart health problems.

Rheumatic fever is caused by an immune response to strep throat fever, and in some cases scarlet fever. The immune system of the body ends up wrongly attacking own tissues, especially the heart valves, post infection. Rheumatic fever triggers inflammation resulting in scarring and deformation of the heart valves mainly the mitral and aortic valves.

By identifying symptoms of rheumatic fever, it is easier to seek timely treatment that will help avoid complications. Commonly reported symptoms include:

  •    Fever.
  •    Pain in the joints and possible swelling.
  •    Outbreak of rashes.
  •    Abnormal involuntary movements.
  •    Inflammation of the heart.

When the disease causes rheumatic heart disease, or progress to the condition certain other symptoms may be experienced. Timely detection can help in seeking early treatment, and commonly reported symptoms include:

  •   Difficulty breathing.
  •   Pain in the chest.
  •   Overall tiredness. 
  •   Swelling in the feet.
  •   Irregular heartbeats.

When these symptoms follow the first set of symptoms, then it could indicate rheumatic heart disease and suitable treatment measures are to be commenced.

Diagnosis of rheumatic heart diseases. 

This is typically performed by reviewing the medical history, such as past strep throat infections and other reported symptoms of rheumatic fever. Diagnosis also includes a physical examination where the patient is checked for signs of heart murmur or valve dysfunction.

Diagnostics include echocardiogram to look for possible valve damage and heart function. Other tests such as blood tests look for inflammation and previous infection. Electrocardiogram, commonly known as ECG help to look for arrhythmias or heart rhythm problems.

What happens when there is rheumatic heart diseases?

  1. Rheumatic heart disease can cause the following:
  2. Heart valve damage – narrowing or leakage of the affected valves.
  3. Heart failure – due to impaired heart valve function.
  4. Atrial fibrillation – irregular heartbeats because of valve damage.
  5. Endocarditis – infection of the heart lining.

What are the different treatment options for rheumatic heart diseases?

Treatment options include the use of any of the following or a combination of the following, depending on the actual condition, and severity:

Antibiotics – to treat and prevent streptococcal infections.

Anti-inflammatory medicines – to reduce inflammation.

Medicines for heart issues – to manage symptoms and complications.

Valve replacement or repair – surgical procedures for severe valve damage

What does a rheumatic heart diseases murmur mean?

Rheumatic heart disease murmur refers to the abnormal heart sound typically detected in people with the condition, during a physical examination. This murmur is due to the damage to the heart valves after rheumatic fever.

For instance, heart valves are affected due to rheumatic fever, especially the mitral and aortic valves. Damage includes either narrowing or leakage of these valves, and these valve problems create some kind of turbulence. This is responsible for the abnormal heart sounds, known as murmurs.

There are different types of murmurs, such as mitral regurgitation murmur, mitral stenosis murmur, aortic regurgitation murmur, and aortic stenosis murmur. These murmurs are detected using a stethoscope and the characteristic timing, location, and quality of the murmur give information about the affected valve and nature of damage.

What are the critical rheumatic heart disease risk factors?

Critical risk factors for rheumatic heart disease may be the underlying causes and different contributing conditions. For instance, the following can be considered as risk factors:

  1. History of rheumatic fever – people who have had rheumatic fever are at higher risk as it can cause damage to the heart valves.
  2. Poorly treated or untreated strep throat – when strep throat infections or scarlet fever are not properly treated with antibiotics, this can cause rheumatic fever, possibly leading to rheumatic heart disease.
  3. Age – typically children and adolescents are at risk of developing rheumatic heart disease, especially after episodes of rheumatic fever.
  4. Socioeconomic reasons – such as poor access to health care may result in poor treatment of streptococcal infections.  People living in overcrowded conditions may be exposed to spread of streptococcal infections.
  5. Other reasons – include environmental factors, family history, poor hygiene, immune system, and previous heart conditions.

What is known as the best rheumatic heart diseases treatment for adults?

The best treatment for rheumatic heart disease in adults may include a combination of medications, changes to lifestyle, and possible surgical procedures.  

  1. Medicines – like penicillin or other antibiotics prevent recurrent streptococcal infections. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or corticosteroids help to reduce inflammation. Diuretics reduce fluid buildup and manage symptoms of heart failure, while beta-blockers manage heart rate and reduce blood pressure. ACE inhibitors or ARBs lower blood pressure levels while anticoagulants prevent blood clots. 
  2. Lifestyle changes – like a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise improves overall cardiovascular health and manages weight. Quitting smoking prevents worsening of heart disease.
  3. Surgical procedures – like valve repair, valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, and aortic valve replacement offer advanced interventions in severe cases.

What is meant by the rheumatic heart diseases age group?

Rheumatic heart disease usually afflicts different age groups in different ways, as outlined below:

  1. Children and adolescents – develop the condition after rheumatic fever, which is common in this age group. High incidence is reported between 5 to 15 years.
  2. Young adults – may get the condition when it extends into their 20s and 30s.
  3. Adults – this is less common in adults, but can still occur if the patient has not received proper treatment.
  4. Older adults – this is less common in the elderly, but elderly people may experience complications from longstanding valve damage from past conditions.
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What is the pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease, especially ?

What is the Pathogenesis Of Rheumatic Heart Disease, especially rheumatic heart disease?

Introduction

Despite the easy access to information about heart diseases and various conditions, most people are unaware of factual information. This causes confusion about recognizing symptoms, or choosing the best recommended approach to treatment or management of conditions. Here is a good look at the Pathogenesis Of Rheumatic Heart Disease and the manner in which certain conditions can be proactively prevented.

What is the main cause of ischemic heart disease?

Atherosclerosis is considered as one of the main reasons for ischemic heart disease. Atherosclerosis also happens to be one of the main contributors when studying the pathogenesis of heart disease. This refers to a condition where fatty deposits, accumulate on the walls of the coronary arteries. This buildup of plaque narrows the arteries and hardens it, significantly affecting flow of blood to the heart muscle.  Here is an outline of the condition and related information.

  1. Atherosclerosis – the restricted flow of blood through the coronary arteries, decreases the oxygen and nutrients delivered to the heart muscle.
  2. Coronary Artery Disease – causes symptoms pain in the chest, known as angina and, causes heart attacks when atherosclerosis is severe. 
  3. Risk factors – are primarily due to one of the following conditions or a combination of many conditions. For instance, high blood pressure causes damage to the arterial walls, increasing risk of plaque buildup. High cholesterol levels increase risk of plaque buildup, while smoking causes considerable damage to the blood vessels which result in buildup of plaques.

Other risk factors include high blood sugar levels that aggravate or speed up atherosclerosis. Obesity, physical inactivity are other contributors, through increased risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

People with a family history of heart disease are also at increased risk due to possible inherited conditions. The best way to learn of this risk of inherited conditions or congenital conditions is through advanced genetic testing facilities that are presently available in Tamil Nadu. Simple tests based on saliva and blood samples offer detailed information about possible future risk of heart disease due to genetic reasons.

Is it true that rheumatic heart disease is caused by rheumatic fever?

Yes, rheumatic heart disease is linked to rheumatic fever, the inflammatory disease that develops after strep throat infections. There is a possible and clear pathway from rheumatic fever to RHD, and is part of the study results of pathogenesis of heart disease. It typically begins with an initial infection of strep throat or scarlet fever. When the condition is improperly treated, or left untreated, it may trigger an autoimmune response in the body, causing rheumatic fever. The person may experience symptoms such as fever, pain in the joints, outbreak of rashes on the skin, and inflammation of the heart.

Following this, the body’s immune system erroneously attacks its own tissues, especially the heart valves. When there are multiple episodes of rheumatic fever, this causes chronic inflammation and scarring of the heart valves. This brings about long-term damage and dysfunction of the heart valves and results in narrowing of the valve or leakage from the valve. This triggers symptoms such as heart murmurs, difficulty breathing, and possible heart failure.

Is rheumatic heart disease autoimmune in nature?

Yes, rheumatic heart disease is considered as autoimmune in nature. As outlined above about the pathogenesis of heart disease, an autoimmune response is set off, due to a cross-reaction with the streptococcal bacteria. This response impacts the heart valves, mistakenly identifying it as foreign bodies.

Is it true that coronary heart disease is due to high cholesterol?

Various reasons cause or contribute to coronary heart disease, and high cholesterol levels is a significant risk factor, as seen in pathogenesis of heart disease. Here is a detailed look at the progression from high cholesterol levels to development of CHD:

  1. Atherosclerosis – A person with high levels of cholesterol, especially low-density lipoprotein will end up with buildup of fatty deposits on the walls of coronary arteries. This causes narrowing of the arteries and hardening, which greatly decreases the flow of blood to the heart muscle. The functioning of the heart depends to a great extent on the oxygen and nutrient rich blood supply. When this is reduced, the heart’s functioning is considerably affected.

LDL cholesterol carries cholesterol to tissues, and the excess LDL cholesterol is deposited in the arteries, causing plaque formation. Gradually, this plaque accumulates, narrowing the arteries, impacting flow of blood and oxygen.

When flow of blood is restricted, it causes chest pain, also known as angina, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms. When the blockage is severe it may result in a heart attack. This occurs when the plaque ruptures, resulting in formation of blood clots that completely block the artery, resulting in a heart attack.

  1. Different types of cholesterol  
  •    Low-density lipoprotein, also known as LDL is the “bad” cholesterol, and high levels of LDL result in plaque buildup.
  •     High-density lipoprotein, also known as HDL is the “good” cholesterol, as HDL removes LDL cholesterol from the blood. The LDL is moved through the blood stream to the liver, from where it is flushed out of the body.

Quick summary of rheumatic heart disease

As seen earlier, rheumatic heart disease is caused by rheumatic fever, owing to untreated strep throat infection or scarlet fever. As part of information about pathogenesis of heart disease, RHD refers to commonly affected vales like the mitral and aortic valves which suffer the most damage. The damage is typically valve stenosis or regurgitation affecting blood flow and causing the following symptoms.

  •       Pain in the chest.
  •       Difficulty breathing.
  •       Overall tiredness.
  •       Swelling in the feet.
  •       Heart murmurs.
  •       Pain in the joints.
  •       Outbreak of rashes.
  •       Fever.

Diagnosis is usually on the basis of medical history, physical examination, and tests such as echocardiography and imaging tests. The condition can be managed through medicines, that are intended to control inflammation and prevent further damage. Wherever necessary, surgical intervention may be undertaken, such as valve repair or valve replacement.

An effective method of treatment is timely management of strep throat infection using antibiotics. RHD belongs to the category of chronic conditions as it is known to cause long-term damage to heart valves. This may necessitate continuous management and monitoring to avoid complications.

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Top tips for medical management of heart disease

Top tips for medical management of heart disease

Introduction

Diagnosed conditions often progress to complications due to a lack of awareness about the right approach. A large number of patients undergo diagnosis and are aware of existing heart diseases and conditions. However, due to poor medical management of heart disease, this progresses and turns serious. Here is a look at how this can be avoided through the right approach to manage a diagnosed disease.

What is the best approach to medical management of congenital heart disease?

Medical management of heart disease and congenital heart conditions, involves adopting a holistic approach to manage the disease. This is a nuanced approach depending on the severity and specific type or nature of the disease. Let us take a look at the right approach to managing congenital heart conditions:

  1. Diagnosis through the following:
    • History – this involves evaluating the family history, including symptoms, family history, and prenatal/ perinatal complications.
    • Examination – this includes looking for physical signs like heart murmurs, cyanosis, or abnormal growth.
    • Tests – such as echocardiography, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, cardiac MRI/CT and cardiac catheterization.
  2. Medical management through:
    • Medicines – such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, beta-blockers, anticoagulants and digoxin.
    • Managing symptoms – through oxygen therapy to improve oxygen levels, and nutritional interventions to handle growth and feeding complications in infants.
  3. Follow-up through regular check-ups and periodic tests including echocardiograms and other imaging studies. Life-long management through changes to lifestyle such as physical activity and diet.
  4. Interventions like balloon angioplasty, stent placement, and surgeries to rectify structural defects like septal defects, valve issues, or blocked blood flow.

Patients who have not been diagnosed initially, may consider advanced genetic testing to look for congenital conditions and inherited conditions. Blood samples or saliva samples are analyzed to look for genetic reasons for heart disease. This helps to identify, future or lifetime risk of heart disease. Genetic testing facilities presently available in Tamil nadu help to identify and screen conditions

What are the actions performed as part of nursing management of congenital heart disease?

Nursing management is a part of medical management of heart disease including congenital heart conditions. This involves a combination of actions to bring about optimal care, ensure monitoring, and provide support for patients. Key actions that are a part of nursing management include:

  1. Assessment:
    1. Vital signs – monitoring heart rate, blood pressure levels, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation levels.
    2. Symptoms – looking for signs of heart failure, like edema, cyanosis, and breathing difficulty.
    3. Development monitoring – to track parameters of development like height and weight. 
  2. Medicines – administer prescribed medications like diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and anticoagulants. Closely check for side effects of medicines and prevent adverse outcomes of contraindications. 
  3. Nursing care – through nutritional support, and oxygen therapy wherever required, such as cyanotic conditions.
  4. Awareness – to educate families about the condition and care requirements. To offer instructions on medication administration, checking for symptoms and events that require medical help.
  5. Emergency – to be prepared for taking actions during emergencies like acute heart failure or arrhythmias.

Which is the best heart disease treatment food?

Medical management of heart disease includes dietary changes and practices to improve cardiovascular health. Recognized and commonly recommended heart-healthy foods include the following: 

  1. Fruits, vegetables – like apples, berries, oranges, leafy greens, broccoli, carrots.
  2. Whole grains – like oats, brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat bread, barley.
  3. Healthy fats – like avocados, almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds and olive oil.
  4. Lean proteins – like skinless poultry, salmon, mackerel, beans, lentils and tofu.
  5. Legumes and beans – like chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, lentils.
  6. Low-fat dairy – like skimmed milk, low-fat yogurt, plant-based milks.
  7. Herbs & spices – like garlic, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon.
  8. Herbal tea – like green tea, hibiscus tea

What is meant by nursing management of ischemic heart disease?

Nursing management of ischemic heart disease is a part of medical management of heart disease and refers to actions, interventions for managing symptoms and preventing complications. Key actions are similar to that of congenital heart diseases outlined above. Actions that are different or specific to this condition are listed below, while other common nursing care actions are explained earlier.

Symptoms – to look for symptoms like pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, dizzy feelings, or overall tiredness. This helps to assess the severity of ischemic episodes, and on the basis of this evaluation, appropriate care is extended. 

Monitoring – includes use of ECG to continuously observe heart rhythms and detect arrhythmias. This helps in dealing with possible complications.

Medicines – like antianginal drugs, antiplatelet agents and statins help in relieving symptoms, and improving heart function. This also helps to prevent complications such as heart attacks or strokes.

What needs to be remembered when living with rheumatic heart disease?

  • People with rheumatic heart disease will require lifestyle and medical management of heart diseasesymptoms and conditions. This helps to prevent complications and includes the following:
    • Periodic check-ups, diligently following medication recommendations, and prevention of rheumatic fever.
    • Changes to lifestyle include switching over to a heart-healthy diet, following a routine of regular exercise, and quitting smoking, apart from avoiding alcohol.
    • Symptoms need to be recognized and managed, to prevent heart failure. 
    • Preventive care is an important aspect; patients are to take timely vaccination and maintain oral hygiene.
    • Patients and care givers are to be aware of emergencies and have a high level of preparedness. 
  • Prevention of rheumatic fever is critically important and includes following the prescribed course of antibiotics. This will prevent recurrent rheumatic fever, and further damage to the heart valves. Preventive care includes recognizing signs of heart failure, fluid retention or difficulty breathing, to take suitable remedial actions. Vaccinations need to be as per schedule and include shots for flu and pneumonia to prevent infections. Oral hygiene is a neglected area, and poor oral hygiene can cause infections and affect heart valves.
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What are the reliable methods for diagnosis of heart diseases?

What are the reliable methods for diagnosis of heart disease?

Introduction

Undiagnosed heart disease is recognized as the cause for a very high percentage of fatalities from heart conditions. The right diagnosis of heart diseases, carried out on time, can save lives and also help improve quality of life. Let us look at some of the important aspects of diagnosis of heart disease to help save lives and ensure better treatment outcomes.

What is meant by rheumatic heart disease diagnostic evaluation?

The process of diagnosis of heart disease through relevant tests for RHD is known as rheumatic heart disease diagnostic evaluation. This is to assist doctors either confirm or rule out RHD. This will also help in assessing the severity of the condition and help in choosing the best treatment option. Evaluation usually involves the following:

  1. History – the patient’s history of sore throat and rheumatic fever is considered. Additionally, symptoms like pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, or unusual heart beats are also considered. Rheumatic Heart Disease typically develops after rheumatic fever, which happens to be a main indicator of the condition.
  2. Examination – abnormal sounds in the heart, known as murmurs, point to possible valve damage because of rheumatic heart disease.
  3. Electrocardiogram – this is used to record the heart’s electrical activity and will indicate any irregularities in rhythm. This is another key indicator of possible RHD.
  4. Echocardiogram – this relies on ultrasound waves to visualize the heart and valves. This is useful in checking for any damage to the valves, or thickening/narrowing/leaking due to the condition.
  5. X-ray – of the chest will determine the size and shape of the heart, indicating possible heart enlargement or accumulation of fluid in the lungs. These are conditions linked with RHD.
  6. Lab tests – involving blood samples help to look for inflammation or strep throat infections. This is identified through C-reactive protein levels, ESR levels, and ASO titer.
  7. Swab – of the throat looks for the presence of streptococcal bacteria.
  8. Cardiac MRI – offers detailed images of the heart to understand the extent of damage to the valves, apart from heart abnormalities.

What is the ICD code for ischemic heart disease?

The ICD-10 code for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is I20-I25. This is actually a range of codes that refer to the different conditions of ischemic heart disease. The disease, is due reduced flow of blood to the heart muscle, as a result of blockages in the coronary arteries. As part of diagnosis of heart disease let us look at the specific codes, that are used to document the disease and also used for medical billing purposes.

I20: Angina pectoris  

I20.0: Unstable angina

I20.1: Angina pectoris with spasm

I20.8: Other forms of angina pectoris

I20.9: Angina pectoris, not clearly specified

I21: Acute myocardial infarction  

I21.0: ST elevation myocardial infarction of anterior wall

I21.1: ST elevation myocardial infarction of inferior wall

I21.2: ST elevation myocardial infarction of other sites

I21.3: ST elevation myocardial infarction of site not clearly specified

I21.4: Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction

I21.9: Acute myocardial infarction, not clearly specified

I22: Subsequent myocardial infarction

I22.0: Subsequent ST elevation myocardial infarction of anterior wall

I22.1: Subsequent ST elevation myocardial infarction of inferior wall

I22.2: Subsequent ST elevation myocardial infarction of other sites

I22.8: Subsequent ST elevation myocardial infarction of site not clearly specified

I22.9: Subsequent myocardial infarction of site not clearly specified

I23: Complications following acute myocardial infarction

I24: Other acute ischemic heart diseases

I24.0: Acute coronary thrombosis not causing myocardial infarction

I24.1: Dressler syndrome

I24.8: Other forms of acute ischemic heart disease

I24.9: Acute ischemic heart disease, not clearly specified

I25: Chronic ischemic heart disease

I25.0: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

I25.1: Atherosclerotic heart disease

I25.2: Old myocardial infarction

I25.3: Aneurysm of heart

I25.4: Coronary artery aneurysm

I25.5: Ischemic cardiomyopathy

I25.6: Silent myocardial ischemia

I25.8: Other forms of chronic ischemic heart disease

I25.9: Chronic ischemic heart disease, not clearly specified.

What is meant by heart disease test name?

It is important to be aware of common terms used during diagnosis of heart disease. For instance, “heart disease test name” refers to medical tests used in the diagnosis. These tests assist in assessing the heart’s function, and detect abnormalities, apart from understanding the severity. Common heart disease test names include the following:

  • Electrocardiogram – known as either ECG or EKG, is used to record the electrical activity of the heart.
  • Echocardiogram – known as echo, is an ultrasound test to visualize the heart’s structure. 
  • Stress test – known as treadmill test, to monitor the heart’s activity during exertion. 
  • Coronary angiography – is the use of a contrast dye in the coronary arteries to identify blockages. 
  • Cardiac MRI – visualizes the heart’s structure.
  • Cardiac CT – creates cross-sectional images of the heart and blood vessels. 
  • Blood tests – to assess heart disease, including cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and troponins, that indicate heart muscle damage.
  • Holter monitor – to continuously record the electrical activity of the heart. 
  • Nuclear stress test – relies on a small amount of radioactive material to visualize flow of blood.

What is UCI heart disease dataset?

The UCI Heart Disease dataset refers to dataset from the University of California, Irvine. This acknowledged as a good source for research and educational purposes. This helps researchers understand more about diagnosis of heart disease more effectively on the basis of data. The primary objective is to determine if a patient has heart disease, through a binary classification. This is determined through attributes such as:

  1. Age of patient.
  2. Gender of patient.
  3. Type of chest pain. 
  4. Blood pressure levels. 
  5. Serum cholesterol levels. 
  6. Fasting blood sugar levels.
  7. ECG results.
  8. Max heart rate.
  9. Exercise-induced angina. 
  10. ST depression. 
  11. Major vessels coloured by fluoroscopy.

Which diagnostic evaluation of rheumatic heart disease is reliable?

As diagnosis of heart disease involves different tests, it may sometimes prompt you to understand if there is test that is considered as the most reliable. It may be difficult to actually pinpoint some test as the most reliable, as some tests are more suitable for some conditions. However, in the case of rheumatic heart disease, the most reliable diagnostic evaluation is the echocardiogram. Also known as echo, it is regarded as reliable because it offers detailed visualization of the structure of the heart and function.

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What are the easily identifiable signs of heart disease?

What are the easily identifiable signs of heart disease?

Introduction

Recent reports have appeared in the media of many famous personalities tragically passing way due to heart related disease. A common problem among many young fatalities in India is the failure to recognize signs of heart disease. A basic understanding of identifiable symptoms may have helped many families. Here is a look at some easy to understand information about recognizing identifiable symptoms. It is also a good idea to go if for genetic testing to look for future or lifetime risk of heart diseases due to genetic reasons. One of the reasons for heart disease is genetically inherited conditions and congenital conditions. With timely testing, it is possible to mitigate or reduce the effects of outcomes through treatment.

Common heart disease symptoms in men

While the symptoms and signs of heart disease in men may vary, certain symptoms are common, including the following: 

  1. Pain in the chest or discomfort – this is typically experienced as a feeling of intense pressure, or squeezing sensation. Some feel full, and the pain can radiate to the arms, the back, the neck or stomach.
  2. Difficulty breathing – this is typically experienced as shortness of breath, mostly during physical exertion, or while lying in a flat position.
  3. Fatigue – abnormal, extreme tiredness with no relief after rest can be a sign of heart problems.
  4. Pain or discomfort – while pain in the chest is a known symptom, there could be pain experienced in other areas as well. This may spread to the shoulders, the arms or the upper back.
  5. Dizzy feelings – this is usually felt like a lightheaded feeling, or you may feel faint. This is due to reduced flow of blood to the heart.
  6. Palpitations – this is experienced like a fluttering sensation in the chest or pounding feeling, with irregular or rapid heartbeats. 
  7. Vomiting – there is a possibility of patients having a heart attack to experience feelings of nausea.
  8. Sweating – this is typically cold and clammy to the touch, without any relatable reason. 
  9. Swelling – may be observed in the feet, indicating possible heart failure

What are the signs and symptoms of rheumatic heart disease?

Depending on the severity and the affected heat valves, symptoms of rheumatic heart disease may vary. However, there are certain symptoms that are commonly experienced, as listed below: 

  •  Pain in the chest – as a result of inflammation.
  •  Difficulty breathing – as a result of fluid buildup in the lungs.
  •  Overall tiredness – abnormal weakness affecting physical activity.
  •  Palpitations – experienced like a fluttering sensation. 

Symptoms experienced when the Mitral valve is affected

  •  Mitral stenosis – difficulty breathing.
  •  Mitral regurgitation – fatigue, swelling in the feet, and difficulty breathing.

Symptoms experienced when the Aortic valve is affected

  • Aortic stenosis – pain in the chest, dizzy feelings. 
  • Aortic regurgitation – abnormal tiredness, difficulty breathing, and irregular heartbeats.

It is important to be able to recognize or identify signs of heart disease to ensure that timely and effective treatment is rendered.

Which signs of rheumatic heart disease are critical?

Identification of symptoms of rheumatic heart disease are important to ensure treatment. However, it is essential to be able to recognize certain symptoms that clearly indicate a severe or life-threatening situation. Some of the critical signs that can indicate this include:

  1. Severe pain in the chest – this could be Intense or persistent in nature. 
  2. Extreme breathlessness – experienced when lying flat, without any relief from typical measures indicates possible heart failure or valve damage.
  3. Swelling – in the legs or abdomen indicate fluid retention or heart failure.
  4. Dizzy feelings – experienced during physical activity, indicates valve dysfunction.
  5. Irregular heartbeats – that are persistent, along with other symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, indicate possible heart valve problems.
  6. Tiredness – abnormal fatigue that does not improve with rest may be an indication of heart dysfunction.
  7. Cyanosis – refers to bluish tint to skin or lips. This could be the result of lesser oxygenation and heart issues.
  8. Weight gain – this is due to fluid retention and indicates possible signs of heart disease and heart failure

What are the common heart disease pain areas?

One of the signs of heart disease is pain, most people assume that pain is experienced only in the heart. However, pain can occur in other areas of the body, as listed below:

  1. Chest – this is the most common area for heart disease pain, and explained earlier.
  2. Left arm – this may be experienced as radiating to the upper left arm, and could be felt like a dull ache, or at times like a sharp paining sensation.
  3. Back – pain may radiate to the upper back, and may be felt like some pressure or discomfort. 
  4. Neck – pain may radiate to the back of the neck or the sides, and could be sharp or felt like a dull ache.
  5. Jaw – pain may be felt in the left side of the jaw, like a dull ache or pressure. This may often be wrongly assumed as dental pain.
  6. Stomach – pain may be experienced in the upper abdomen like pressure or discomfort. 
  7. Shoulders – pain may spread to the left shoulder, and is felt like a dull ache.

What are the early signs of heart disease in females?

There are certain signs of heart disease in women that can be considered as early indicators of possible heart problems. By recognizing such symptoms, it is possible to identify the condition and take suitable remedial action. These signs may often be subtle or atypical to the signs commonly experienced by males, and include:

  1. Abnormal tiredness – fatigue that does not seem to reduce despite usual measures for relief. 
  2. Breathlessness – could be difficulty breathing and may occur with minimal physical exertion, or even while resting.  
  3. Pain or discomfort in the chest – this could be felt like some kind of pressure, or squeezing, or a dull ache. This may not be experienced as a sharp painful sensation. 
  4. Pain in other areas – this may radiate to the back, the shoulders, or neck, and arms. Women are also known to experience pain in the abdomen. 
  5. Nausea – experiencing vomiting, which can be associated with heart disease, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like chest discomfort.
  6. Dizzy feelings – a faint, or lightheaded feeling, after limited physical activity or even while resting, may indicate lesser flow of blood. 
  7. Sweating – this could be profuse, and is mostly cold and clammy to the touch, and occurs without any physical activity. This is mostly experienced with other symptoms such as chest pain.
  8. Swelling – in the legs, can be attributed to fluid buildup or heart failure. 
  9. Sleep – may be disturbed, and the person may suddenly wake up as a result of breathlessness. 
  10. Heartburn – indigestion or any abdominal discomfort can sometimes be wrongly attributed to gastrointestinal problems, but may be due to heart disease.
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How to congenital heart disease clearly for a proper overview?

How to define congenital heart disease clearly for a proper overview?

Introduction

Despite the amount of informati0on available online, a significant number of people often are unaware of diseases. This makes treatment challenging as those unaware do not recognize symptoms or seek medical intervention for diagnosis. Let us define congenital heart disease clearly to offer clarity on the conditions and the need for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Essentially, heart disease refers to a range of conditions affecting the heart. For instance, coronary artery disease can be described as a condition affecting the blood vessel. Similarly, irregular heartbeats is known as arrhythmias, and there are diseases of the heart muscle and the heat valve. People are also born with structural defects, known as congenital heart defects. It is important to note that many types of heart disease can be effectively treated, while in other cases, the risk can be reduced and outcomes mitigated.

How to define congenital heart disease?

As per of efforts to define heart disease, rheumatic heart disease refers to damaged heart valves from rheumatic fever. Damage may occur after strep throat infection has been left untreated or improperly treated. Following this, an immune response triggers inflammation, causing valve damage.

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease affect connective tissues, including the heart. Over a period of time, this causes inflammation possible scarring, resulting in narrowing or leaking of the heart valve. Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease may include difficulty breathing, pain in the chest and swelling. The extent or intensity will depend on the stage or condition of the disease.

Diagnosis is ideally carried out through throat culture or blood test to check for strep. Similarly, specialists may check for heart murmur during routine physical examination. Tests to diagnose rheumatic heart disease may include echocardiogram, known as echo. This is to depict the damage to the valve, for diagnosing heart valve problems.  Electrocardiogram, known as ECG is another test that records the strength and timing of the heart’s electrical activity; to find heart muscle damage. Chest X-ray helps to understand if your lungs, heart are enlarged. Cardiac MRI is an imaging test to look at the heart valves and heart muscle in detail. Blood tests are also part of diagnosis to check for infection and inflammation.

Common congenital heart disease examples

To continue efforts to define heart disease, let us look at the types of congenital heart defects. The defects can be broadly classified between simple to complex and critical. Simple defects refers to conditions that may resolve without the need for surgery.  Complex and critical defects are classified as life-threatening conditions that need immediate treatment. Babies born with critical congenital heart defects may require surgery within one year. Some of the common congenital heart disease examples include:

  • Atrial septal defect – refers to a hole in the heart between the left and right atria, the two upper chambers. This causes blood to flow from the left to the right atrium, instead of the other parts of the body.
  • Ventricular septal defect – refers to a hole in the wall between the left and right ventricles, the two lower chambers. This causes blood to flow from the left to the right ventricle, instead of going to other parts of the body.
  • Patent ductus arteriosus – refers to a condition when improper closure of the connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This causes blood to flow instead of stopping.
  • Pulmonary stenosis – refers to a heart valve disease where the pulmonary valve is narrow/stiff. This impacts movement of blood to the pulmonary artery, connecting the heart to the lungs.
  • Tetralogy of fallot – is regarded as the most common complex congenital heart disorder. This refers to a combination of four defects – pulmonary stenosis, large ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy.

It is necessary to bear in mind that in addition to the above common heart defects, there are other critical congenital heart defects.

Why congenital heart disease diagnosis is important?

Diagnosis of congenital heart disease is extremely important apart after you have finished efforts to understand define heart disease. Timely diagnosis will help seek prompt medical or surgical treatment, avoiding severe complications. Left untreated, some congenital heart defects can turn life-threatening.

Advantages of timely diagnosis incudes better outcomes, as specialists get to monitor the condition, and improve quality of life.  Complications such as heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms or organ damage are linked to untreated congenital heart conditions. Families with a history of congenital heart disease, can benefit immensely, especially in planning future pregnancies. Finally, diagnosis helps receive customized care including periodic check-ups, medications, and lifestyle modifications to manage the condition effectively.

Advanced genetic testing facilities in Tamil Nadu offer patients the advantage of genetic testing. This helps identify inherited conditions and congenital heart defects in patients. Analysis is on the basis of saliva or blood samples, following which a detailed report is provided. Based on the report, you will receive treatment that will help mitigate the condition and reduce outcomes.

What is congenital heart disease nursing diagnosis?

As part of efforts to define heart disease clearly, it is important to know the distinction between medical diagnosis and nursing diagnosis. Medical diagnosis is focused on identifying the disease or the condition while nursing diagnosis looks at the patient’s response to the disease. This is mainly to determine the best method for holistic care. 

Common nursing diagnoses of congenital heart disease include the following:

  • Impaired gas exchange – refers to the inability to pump blood, mainly due to structural heart abnormalities.  
  • Decreased cardiac output – refers to reduced ability to pump blood, due to congenital defects.
  • Activity effects – refers to reduced capacity to indulge in activities as a result of fatigue, difficulty breathing, due to poor oxygen supply. 
  • Infection risk – refers to medical devices, or potential for infection of the inner lining of the heart.
  • Breathing pattern – refers to respiratory distress due to impaired functioning of the heart. 
  • Nutrition – due to poor appetite or poor feeding in infants/children there could be poor growth and development.
  • Anxiety – caused by stress from diagnosis and treatment of CHD.
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