Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term for a variety of heart diseases and vascular disorders. Any complication with the heart can develop due to a number of risk factors.
They include age, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity and a family history of heart problems.
Common Cardiovascular Diseases
High blood pressure and obesity affect the heart, however these disorders are not considered to be heart problems per se.
Cardiovascular disease examples that have a direct impact on the heart include the following:
- Coronary Artery Disease: This disease affects the arteries of the heart
- Cardiomyopathy: This disorder affects the way that the heart muscle squeezes and contracts
- Valvular heart disease: This disease affects the heart valves and blood regulation into and out of the heart.
- Heart Rhythm Disturbances: This disorder affects heartbeat, making it irregular.
- Heart Infections: These are defects in the heart’s structure caused by an accident or developed at birth.
- Heart Attack: This is not exactly a disease. A heart attack occurs when a plaque ruptures and forms a clot in the artery causing a blockage of the blood vessel.
Symptoms Of Heart Disease
The first sign of a heart problem is usually discovered by experiencing various symptoms. Some common symptoms are chest pain, breathing difficulties, an increased pulse rate and an irregular heart beat.
It is extremely important to determine the reasons for any symptom.
When symptoms are caused by physical activity, it is not always definitive. That said, when your heartbeat rises when sitting down, it may be a sign of potential heart problems.
When symptoms continue during rest it is highly recommended that you get a medical exam immediately. It’s best to visit a cardiovascular specialist in this situation.
When symptoms are severe enough to disrupt your sleep, it is definitely a cause for concern.
Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease
Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity are risk factors that increase the onset of cardiovascular disease.
A healthcare specialist will carry out preliminary tests to determine if you are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
A review of a patient’s history and physical examination lets a physician determine if additional tests are needed. A general physician will consult with a cardiovascular disease specialist to determine which tests to conduct.
Diagnostic tests may include a combination of the following:
Electrocardiogram – EKG / ECG
Your heart generates an electrical pulse when it pumps blood in your body. Electrodes placed on the skin can capture those impulses which are then recorded by an ECG machine.
A heart that isn’t functioning properly will not pump the necessary blood supply and will show electrical irregularities.
An ECG will capture abnormal blood supply and electrical deviations
At the same time, the results are compared to previous electrical patterns to identify any cardiovascular disease.
Stress Tests
When we physically exercise, there is extra pressure on the heart to pump blood. During a stress test, a patient is asked to perform physical activity, such as walking on a treadmill.
During the test, the heart beat is monitored to evaluate it’s performance under pressure.
Echocardiography
An ultrasound is taken of the heart and surrounding muscles to determine the anatomy of the heart and arteries. The test can be performed at rest or during physical activity.
Nuclear Imaging
A radioactive tracer is injected into a vein to monitor the blood flow to the heart. A counter is used to measure the time for the heart muscle to absorb the radioactive chemical.
This will determine if a blockage exists in the veins thus identifying cardiovascular disease.
Any part of the heart or varicose system showing a lack of uptake in radiation is an area not getting sufficient blood supply.
CT Scan And MRI
Computerized Tomography Scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques. These also are used to determine the blood flow in your body.
The tests help determine when there is a narrowing of the arteries causing blockage. Each test has a benefit and risk.
Your cardiologist may recommend one, or both, tests depending on your specific situation. This goes along way in determining the severity of any cardiovascular disease.
Cardiac Catheterization
This is a highly effective diagnostic tool to identify blockage within the heart or vascular system. A cardiologist inserts a very thin tube into the coronary artery from the groin, elbow or back.
Special dye is injected into the artery to assess the anatomy and to identify blockages. This process is called a coronary angiogram and is yet another tool to determine the level of cardiovascular disease.
If a blockage is detected, a cardiologist may recommend an angioplasty to widen the affected artery. This will alleviate the blockage and any discomfort that is felt.
If you experience any symptoms or discomfort, immediately call your physician!
It is critical that you are checked out thoroughly should any cardiovascular disease exist!
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