According to CDC, more than three lacs people have died in 2020 due to different heart diseases. Previously it was said that heart disease belongs to obese people, but time has proven it wrong. According to CDC, it can happen to anyone anytime. Studies have shown that family genetics plays an important role in these diseases but lifestyle habits play a major role as well.
As you know, different types of doctors look after heart diseases. Cardiologists are the experts in heart diseases. It means they are the ones who can diagnose, treat, and manage heart diseases. This post will tell you about heart disease, its symptoms, causes, and what to look for in a cardiologist.
Modernheartandvascular.com provides a full solution to your heart condition. They provide services like Consultations, Emergency Cardiac Services, and Cardiac and Vascular surgeries.
What is Heart Disease?
According to American Heart Association, Heart Disease is a set of problems involving the heart itself and the arteries that bring blood to the heart. If you have these problems together, it is called Cardiovascular Disease. Diseases of the heart itself include coronary heart disease and heart failure. Artery problems include arteriosclerosis, artery narrowing (stenosis), and vein thickening (venous insufficiency). Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction):
Heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, happens when blood cannot reach your heart due to a blockage in a coronary artery. This artery becomes scarred and further narrows over time. During a heart attack, blood flow to your heart is blocked, which causes damage to the heart muscle. You should call 911 immediately if you suspect a heart attack. We will discuss in detail what it feels like to have a heart attack.
Some heart attacks are “stable,” meaning that the damage is limited, and the heart can repair itself by opening up a collateral vessel that is closed in normal conditions. They bypass through narrowed arteries and provide blood to help function the heart properly. Others are “unstable” and can lead to death within hours if not immediately treated.
Risk factors for heart attack include:
- Male Gender
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cigarette smoking
- Age above 45 years or more
- Menopausal women who have undergone hysterectomy
- Certain medications, such as Oral contraceptive pills, also increase your risk for a heart attack.
Heart Attack Symptoms:
Unfortunately, heart attack symptoms are often vague and inconsistent between patients. This is why knowing what triggers your heart attack and how to recognize the signs and get help immediately is essential. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Pain or crushing chest pressure
- Sinking of heart
- Profuse sweating
- Sensation of doom
- Certain types of abnormal heartbeat rhythms (arrhythmia)
- Shortness of breath
- Hallucinations, dizziness, or nausea
- Feelings of warmth or chills
- Experiencing extreme fatigue
Don’t wait to get help or wait for these symptoms to resolve themself. If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should call 9-1-1 immediately and also use a home monitor or alert device to alert emergency services if you experience it.