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Introduction
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a group of illnesses affecting the heart and blood arteries. Examples of CVD (commonly known as a heart attack) are angina and myocardial infarction. Stroke, heart failure, hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, irregular heart rhythms, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, carditis, aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, thromboembolic disease, venous thrombosis are some of the other CVDs.
A heart is a muscular organ that contracts and expands to circulate blood through the circulatory system. Heart illness is caused by any ailment that affects the heart or its function. The medical term for heart disease is Cardiovascular disease.
What are the different types of heart disease?
Rheumatic heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease is a type of chronic heart disease brought on by rheumatic fever. In youngsters, this is relatively prevalent heart disease. This disease is more common in underdeveloped countries, particularly in impoverished communities.
Acute rheumatic fever is a type of inflammatory sickness that mostly affects the joints, heart, and neurological system. The most prevalent complication of rheumatic fever is heart valve damage. The inflammation generated by the rheumatic disease can damage the pericardium (outer sac) and endocardium (inner lining).
Rheumatic fever usually begins as strep throat and progresses to a fever. Antibiotics like penicillin can be used to prevent this from happening.
Treatment
Rheumatic heart disease is usually treated with a combination of medications.
Antibiotics for strep throat and rheumatic fever prevention.
Medicines that help prevent heart attacks by thinning the blood.
Heart valve surgery is a procedure that involves mending the valves in the heart.
Valvular heart disease
Valvular heart disease is caused by injury to any of the heart’s valves (the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves). The damage to heart valves caused by ageing is the primary cause of this condition.
These valves are responsible for ensuring that blood flows at the proper speed and in the correct direction. The valves of the heart become exceedingly thin and rigid in valvular heart disease, which alters the rate and speed of blood flow throughout the system. They may be entirely shut down at times.
Treatment
Following are the treatment options:
Antibiotic treatment over a long time
Medications that prevent blood clots
Dilatation of a balloon
Hypertensive heart diseases
This disorder is caused by high blood pressure. It causes harm to the blood arteries and heart by overburdening them.
Aneurysm
An aneurysm is an arterial bulging or swelling. An aneurysm may be silent, but it can cause major problems, even death. An aneurysm can occur in any section of the body, including the brain, nervous system, and other organs.
Atherosclerosis
This is a disorder in which plaques build up on the inside walls of arteries, making them hard and thick. As a result, blood flow in the system is restricted. Atherosclerosis can occur at any time and in any portion of the body. Coronary artery disease happens when atherosclerosis develops in the heart. Peripheral artery disease is diagnosed when this happens in the legs.
Cerebrovascular heart disease
Cerebrovascular heart disease is a condition in which the brain’s blood circulation is disrupted. This is primarily caused by atherosclerosis. As previously stated, atherosclerosis is a disorder in which fat deposits accumulate in the walls of arteries, causing them to stiffen and thicken.
Blood pressure impacts blood flow, resulting in ischemic stroke, while high blood pressure causes blood vessels to break, resulting in cerebral haemorrhage.
Treatment
Surgery, lifestyle changes, and drugs are all used to treat cardiovascular disease.
Antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel), blood-thinning medications (heparin, warfarin), and anti-diabetic meds are examples.
Surgical procedures include:
Vascular surgery is a type of surgery that involves the removal
Endovascular surgery is a type of surgery that involves the use of
Inflammatory heart disease
Inflammation of the pericardium causes inflammatory heart disease. This condition is caused by a variety of factors:
Bacterial or fungal infection
Heart attack and myocarditis
As a result of chest radiation therapy,
Immune-suppressing drugs are commonly used.
Cancer, leukaemia, TB, kidney failure, and other disorders
Treatment
The treatment’s main purpose is to
Suppress the inflammatory process in the short term.
Streptococcal infection eradication
Prevent sickness from spreading further.
Protect your heart against the effects of carditis.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Ischemic heart disease refers to a group of heart conditions caused by a lack of oxygen delivery to the myocardium, or heart muscle. Coronary artery disease is another name for it.
Angina
Angina is caused by a lack of blood supply to the heart. Because blood transports oxygen throughout the body, depriving the heart of oxygen will result in death.
Angina begins as a pain in the chest that spreads to the left arm, shoulder, and jaw. It happens as a result of shortness of breath and perspiration.
Treatment
Ischemic heart disease is treated with drugs such as
Organic nitrates are a type of nitrate that helps to relax non-specific smooth muscles.
Beta-blockers aid to minimise heart effort and boosting oxygen consumption.
Aspirin is a drug that lowers the risk of angina.
Calcium channel blockers work by inhibiting beta receptors to lower total coronary flow.
How to live with coronary heart disease?
With coronary artery disease, medications and risk reduction techniques such as stopping smoking, adhering to dietary restrictions, regular exercise, and stress management, it is feasible to live a near-normal life. Your life expectancy reduces after a cardiac event such as a heart attack or stroke.
How is coronary heart disease treated?
To treat coronary artery disease, a variety of medications can be utilised, including:
Cholesterol-modifying medications: The major substance that accumulates in the coronary arteries is reduced (or modified) by these drugs. Cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol, fall as a result. Statins, niacin, fibrates, and bile acid sequestrants are among the drugs that your doctor can prescribe.
Aspirin: Your doctor may advise you to take aspirin or another blood thinner daily. This may help avoid coronary artery obstruction by reducing the tendency of your blood to clot.
If you’ve had a heart attack, aspirin can help you from having another one. However, if you have a bleeding issue or are currently taking another blood thinner, see your doctor before taking aspirin.
Beta-blockers: These medications lower your blood pressure and moderate your heart rate, lowering your heart’s oxygen requirement. Beta-blockers can help you avoid having another heart attack if you’ve already had one.
Calcium channel blockers: These medications can be used in conjunction with beta-blockers if they aren’t working or in place of beta-blockers if you can’t take them. These medications can help alleviate the symptoms of chest discomfort.
Ranolazine: This drug may help patients who are suffering from chest pain (angina). If you are unable to take a beta-blocker, it may be administered in addition to or instead of one.
Nitroglycerin: By temporarily dilating your coronary arteries and lowering your heart’s demand for blood, nitroglycerin tablets, sprays, and patches can relieve chest pain.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): These related medications lower blood pressure and may help prevent coronary artery disease progression.
Conclusion
At least one of the primary modifiable risk factors for IHD is present in the majority of individuals with coronary artery disease severe enough to necessitate coronary artery bypass grafting. Modifying these parameters has the potential to lower the disease burden of CAD and cardiovascular mortality.
