HEART HEALTH
Everything You Need To Know About Types of Heart Disease
Heart failure or Cardiovascular ailments are among the deadliest disease and most common heart diseases in this contemporary era. Every 36 seconds, someone dies of cardiovascular disease in the United States, as shown by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Medical scientists continuously research heart-related diseases to facilitate proper diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Heart disease is any disorder that is related to the heart. Different risk factors cause these heart disorders, which have different types, symptoms, and treatments. However, lack of information has led to the death of many people worldwide from heart disease. Hence, this article will give you an insight into what you should know about the ailment and ways to prevent heart disease.
Types Of Heart Disease
Heart diseases are of different types. These differences result from the different ways cardiovascular (heart) disease affects the heart and blood vessels in the body. They include:
1. Coronary artery disease
This heart disease is otherwise known as coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease, being the most common heart diseases, was responsible for killing 360,900 people in 2019, according to CDC. This occurs when plaque clogs the arteries supplying blood to the heart, making it narrow and tighter, leading to a decrease in blood supply and lesser oxygen and nutrients. As a result, arrhythmias and heart failure become imminent.
2. Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is a heart condition that occurs when there is an irregular heart rhythm. This result from a malfunction in the electrical impulses that regulate the heartbeat, thereby making the heart beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Arrhythmias are of different types;
- Bradycardia:This is when the heart beats too slowly, yielding sixty beats per minute.
- Tachycardia: When the heart beats too fast, giving a hundred beats per minute. The condition is known as tachycardia.
- Premature contractions:This is a condition when there is a premature heartbeat.
- Atrial fibrillation: When the heart beats erratically, such a condition is known as atrial fibrillation. This condition can make the body’s needs unmet due to the heart not pumping enough blood.
3. Heart Failure
Contrary to the common belief that when a person suffers heart failure, their hearts no longer function, the heart still pumps blood and oxygen but is not up to the body’s needs. Complications resulting from heart failure are life-threatening and, if left untreated, could be fatal. Heart failure happens due to high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, etc. 
4. Heart Attack
A heart attack, otherwise known as myocardial infarction is one of the most common heart diseases. It is caused by an interruption to the blood flow to the heart. Heart attack can lead to the damage of muscles in the body, most commonly caused by a blood clot or/and plaque in the coronary artery.
Congenital heart defects occur when a person is born with a defective heart, this defect may go unnoticed until a routine medical check reveals it, and no symptoms may be noticed.
5. Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects are of different types based on the nature of the defects. Congenital heart diseases are of different types, which include:
Atypical heart valves: This congenital heart disease happens when the valves don’t open as they should or when there is blood leakage.
Atresia:A missing heart valve results in Atresia.
Septal defects: An aperture in the structure between the upper chambers of the heart’s lower chambers results in a septal defect.
6. Aortic Stenosis
Too thick or fused pulmonary valve which does not open as it should result in aortic stenosis. Consequently, pumping blood from the left ventricle into the aorta becomes difficult for the heart.
As a result of congenital anomalies of the valve, one may be born with this condition. Calcium deposits or scarring over time can also make this condition develop.
7. Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart’s chambers become dilated, which means the heart muscle is stretched and thinner. Dilated cardiomyopathy is commonly caused by arrhythmias, past heart attacks, and toxins, but genetics can also influence a person.
8. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, one of the most common heart diseases, occurs when the heart muscle is affected by a genetic problem. Contractions become labored as muscle thickens, affecting the heart’s ability to take in and pump blood. This can lead to obstruction, which is deadly. Therefore, people with a genetic history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy should undergo screening as early detection and treatment can aid the prevention of complications.
9. Mitral Valve Regurgitation
This condition occurs when the mitral valve closes incorrectly, making blood not go back into the heart, halting blood movement in the body, and causing enlargement and heart failure.
10. Mitral Valve Prolapse
This condition occurs when the mitral valve flaps close improperly—bulging to the left atrium instead. This is not life-threatening. Notwithstanding, treatment may be needed for it. This type of heart disease is not usually common and can be traced to problems with connective tissue and family history.
Symptoms Of Heart Disease
The type of heart disease majorly determines the symptoms of heart disease a person has, and in some cases, there may be no symptoms.
Generally, the following signs can be indications of heart disease:
- Difficulty breathing
- Racing heartbeat
- Slow heartbeat.
- Angina (chest pain).
- Fatigue and dizziness.
- Swelling.
- Easily tiring during exercise or activity.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Heart palpitations.
- Nausea.
- Skin rashes or unusual spots
- Lightheadedness.
- Dizziness.
- Fainting or near fainting.
- Gasping for breath during activities like exercise.
- Swollen ankles.
- Dry or persistent cough.
- Chocking sensation.
Symptoms Of Heart disease in Children
- Swelling in certain parts of the body.
- Pale gray or blue skin color.
- In an infant, poor weight gain results from difficulty breathing and dyspnea.
Treatments Of Heart Disease
There are several treatment options available to patients with heart disease. The type of heart disease on has determines the treatment. Heart disease can be treated through;
- Medications
- Surgery
Medications For Treating Heart Disease
Several medications can be used for the treatment of heart disease, this is decided based on the type of heart disease, but these drug classes are majorly for the treatment of heart disease and should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor;
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are blood thinners, and these medications can prevent blood clotting. Examples of anticoagulants are; warfarin and other direct oral anticoagulants, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban.
Antiplatelet Therapies
Antiplatelet drugs are used to prevent blood clotting. An example of a drug in this class is Asetacylic acid (Aspirin).
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme (Ace) Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzymes, also known as ACE inhibitors, treat heart failure and high blood pressure. They work by causing an expansion in the blood vessels. Examples of ACE inhibitors include Ramipril, Lisinopril, Amlodipine, etc.
Angiotensin Ii Receptor Blockers
You can also use angiotensin II receptor blockers to control blood pressure when prescribed by a doctor. Losartan is a drug in this class.
Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors
This drug class can help unload the heart and interrupt the chemical pathways that have caused weakness.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are used to reduce heartbeat and blood pressure. Metoprolol is a drug in this class.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers work by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the heart’s pumping strength. Diltiazem is an example of a drug in this class.
Cholesterol-lowering Medications
This class of drugs lowers the level of cholesterol in the body, also known as Statins. Examples of drugs in this class include Rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, etc.
Diuretics
Diuretics aid in mitigating the heart’s workload, expelling from the body excess water, and reducing blood pressure. Furosemide is a drug in this class.
Vasodilators
Vasodilators are used to lower blood pressure and ease pain in the chest. An example of a vasodilator is Nitroglycerin.
These classes of medications are used for the treatment of heart disease. The use of some of these medications comes with side effects. That is why a doctor must prescribe them, and checks are carried out frequently to monitor the effect of the medications.
Surgical Procedures For Treating Heart Disease
A surgeon can perform surgery when medications are ineffective in treating heart disease. The following are the available surgical procedure for treating heart disease.
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
This common surgery involves fixing a blocked blood vessel by utilizing the vessel from another part of the body.
Coronary Angiography
Coronary angiography involves widening narrow or blocked coronary arteries combined with inserting a stent, a wire-mesh tube that allows for easy blood flow.
Device Implantation
This involves using devices like balloon catheters, pacemakers, and other devices to regulate heartbeat and support blood flow.
Valve Replacement Or Repair
In this surgery, a malfunctioning valve is replaced or repaired.
Repair Surgery
In a repair surgery, congenital heart defects and other heart problems are repaired.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment involves using trans myocardial laser revascularization in treating angina (chest pain).
Maze Surgery
This surgery is where new paths are made for electrical signals to pass through. Maze surgery handles atrial fibrillation.
Powerful Ways You Can Strengthen Your Heart, Prevent, and Manage Heart Disease
According to World Health Organization (WHO), most heart diseases can be countered by checkmating certain risky behavioral patterns such as smoking, harmful use of alcohol, etc.
To ensure a healthy heart, below are some lifestyle tips you can follow:
1. Eat Healthy Foods
The choice of what you eat goes a long way in impacting your health. Eating a heart-healthy diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and fibers and taking an adequate amount of water will help strengthen your heart. If possible, stop or limit the intake of processed foods and foods with cholesterol, sugar, and salt and limit the intake of carbonated drinks and caffeine.
2. Exercising Regularly
Exercising regularly for at least 30 minutes daily and 150 minutes per week is one of the ways to prevent heart disease. It will help you keep fit, strengthen your heart, maintain blood pressure, reduce body cholesterol, and improve your circulatory system.
3. No Smoking
Tobacco is not a heart-friendly item. Smoking is unhealthy, exposing the body to severe heart and cardiovascular conditions.
4. Reduce Alcohol Intake
Taking too much alcohol is a burden for the body. Not watching this can damage the body system, thereby exposing the body to heart disease.
5. Go For Routine Medical Check
Staying healthy also involves getting checked periodically. Blood pressure, glucose level, heart and body mass index (BMI) checks are necessary to detect any possible condition early.
6. Health Management
One of the major ways to strengthen your heart and prevent heart disease is by managing your health properly. If there are underlying ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, ensure to get checked and treated by a doctor.
7. Stress Management
Always create time to rest after your work. Create time to relax and rest properly without any distractions; if it takes a vacation for you to achieve that, go on a vacation.
Five Kinds Of Exercise That Boost Heart-health
According to John Hopkins’s Medicine, certain exercises, such as resistance training and aerobic exercise, improve heart health. Keeping fit will help strengthen the heart muscle and aid weight loss. These five kinds of exercise will boost heart health.
- Aerobics exercise
- Yoga
- Flexibility exercise Luke stretching and balance.
- Resistance training like squats, push-ups, etc.
- Jogging.
8 heart health supplements to take and one to avoid
1. Omega 3 fatty acid (O3AEE)
Omega 3 fatty acids, also known as O3AEE, are a type of heart supplement found in fatty fish oil like mackerel, sardines, salmon, vegetables, plants, walnut, flaxseed oil, and canola oil. The omega 3 fatty oil is not produced in the human body and only gets into the body through the food we eat. The O3AEE works by reducing common fats in the blood that causes stroke and other heart-related diseases.
2. Coenzyme (CoQ10)
CoQ10 are enzymes that help in cell growth and are naturally produced in small amounts in the body but gradually reduce as one age. Coenzyme can also be gotten from food like beef, peanuts, broccoli, and tuna and can help reduce the effect of other drugs causes in the heart and pain in joints and muscles. Although CoQ10 isn’t harmful, it is known to cause minor side effects and must only be taken as directed by the doctor.
3. Garlic
Garlic helps food taste better and works wonders for the heart by reducing high blood pressure, reducing fats in the artery walls, and preventing other heart issues. However, it slows down blood clotting, so taking it hours before major surgery is advisable.
4. Magnesium
Magnesium is a nutrient that is surplus in the body, but when scares can cause various heart problems like increased fat in the heart, fat disorder, and high blood pressure. Magnesium supplements help reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiac arrest, regulate sugar in the blood, and many more.
5. Fiber
Fiber helps reduce fat in the body by storing them in the intestine in the form of a gel-like substance which is then removed from the body as waste before it causes harm. Fibers are easily gotten from fruits and vegetables, and it helps makes the heart healthy. Fiber supplements must be taken with lots of water to avoid dehydration and must be taken as directed by the doctor.
6. Folic acid
Folic acid, also known as Vitamin B9 or folate, helps break down amino acids in the body, lowering the risk of stroke and various heart diseases. They can be consumed in citrus fruits and vegetables and can be taken as supplements called folic acid. Folic acid reduces the risk of cardiac arrest in people with hypertension and helps in red cell production.
7. Red yeast rice
It is a type of healthy heart supplement fermented rice (Tapia) which contains monacolin K a compound that helps lower saturated fat in the blood vessel, reduce common fat in arteries and reduce fatty heart-related problems. Although the red yeast supplement is effective and safe, it must only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
8. Green tea
Green tea contains a compound that helps break down lumps of fat gathered in the heart. It also contains other health benefits such as reducing Low-Density Lipoprotein, known as bad cholesterol, that causes heart disease, reducing common and saturated fat in the blood and arteries, and helping increase High-Density Lipoprotein. This good cholesterol absorbs saturated fat and flushes it out of the body.
While heart supplements are good and safe, it is essential to avoid excess calcium and vitamin D when one has a reoccurring case of heart-related issues, as it increases the risk of heart diseases and may cause the building up of fat in the artery walls.
Fifteen Incredibly Heart-healthy Foods
- Whole grains like rice, quinoa, etc.
- Seeds like chia seeds, flaxseed, etc.
- Berries like strawberries, raspberries, etc.
- Vegetables like spinach, collard green, etc.
- Garlic.
- Almonds.
- Tomatoes.
- Green tea.
- Beans.
- Walnuts.
- Olive oil.
- Dark chocolates.
- Fatty fish and fish oil.
- Avocados
- Fruits like apples, oranges, etc.
Final Thoughts
According to Johnstonhealth, 80% of heart disease is preventable. However, the concern is, why do millions of people still die from heart disease in the United States? It boils down to our behavioral factors, including tobacco use, eating heart-harmful foods, and excess intake of alcohol, among others. For you to live healthily, you need to keep studying about various ways to prevent heart disease.
Consulted links
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/237191#symptoms
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(CVD)
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/3-kinds-of-exercise-that- boost-heart-health
