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What Are Heart Conditions?
Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Pabba Anish , Cardiologist
Heart problems can cover a range of issues that impact how the heart works and its structure, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and congenital heart defects.
To diagnose these conditions, doctors may use imaging tests, such as ECGs, and treatments may include lifestyle changes, medications, surgeries, and other medical procedures.
What are the Heart Disease Symptoms and Warning Signs?
Symptoms of heart disease may not be clear in the beginning, but they can be life-threatening if not taken seriously.
Common Symptoms
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Swelling in legs, ankles, or feet
- Abnormal heart rhythms
Severe Symptoms
- Dizziness or fainting
- Pain or numbness in the limbs
- Sudden weakness or coldness in the extremities
What are the Types of Heart Disease?
There are various types of heart diseases :
- Coronary artery disease: Blockage of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
- Heart failure: Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively.
- Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats that can be too fast, too slow, or erratic.
- Valvular heart disease: Problems with the heart valves, which control blood flow within the heart.
- Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the structure and function of the heart muscle.
- Congenital heart defects: Congenital heart defects are structural abnormalities present at birth.
- Hypertensive heart disease: Encompasses heart conditions that result from high blood pressure.
- Rheumatic heart disease: Rheumatic heart disease is damage to the heart valves caused by rheumatic fever.
What are the Common Causes and Risk Factors of Heart Disease?
Heart disease can develop due to a combination of underlying health conditions, lifestyle choices, and genetic factors.
Understanding both the causes and risk factors is essential to taking proactive steps toward prevention and early intervention.
Causes of heart disease may include
- Heart muscle scarring
- Coronary artery disease
- Problems with kidney function
- Thyroid problems
- Rheumatic disease
- Injury to part of your heart
- Heart attacks
- People often engage in substance use, which can involve various substances such as alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and more.
- Pregnancy
- High blood pressure and
- Abnormal heart rhythm.
Risk factors of heart disease include
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Smoking or using tobacco products.
- History of heart disease in your family
- Type 2 diabetes
- Having a BMI (body mass index) over 25 (being overweight)
- Eating unhealthy foods and
- Struggling with substance abuse.
Get a second opinion from trusted experts and makeconfident, informed decisions.
Get Second OpinionHow is Heart Disease Diagnosed?
At Medicover, our heart specialists use a range of advanced diagnostic tools to assess heart function and structure:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): Measures the heart's electrical activity.
- Echocardiogram: Ultrasound imaging of heart chambers and valves.
- Stress tests: Evaluate heart performance under exertion.
- Blood tests: Detect markers of heart damage or risk.
- Angiography and Cardiac MRI: Detailed imaging for complex diagnoses.
What are the Treatment Options for Heart Conditions?
There are many options to treat heart disease without resorting to surgery.
- Medication: Doctors may want to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications so that they can recommend blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering medications, or beta blockers.
- Modifications to Lifestyle: Such as giving up smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, and exercising frequently.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: A program intended to enhance cardiac health and assist patients in healing from conditions pertaining to the heart.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): A surgical procedure to bypass blocked arteries using a healthy vessel.
Medicover Approach
- Skilled cardiothoracic surgeons with years of CABG expertise.
- World-class CTVS unit and personalised care plans.
- Post-operative support from rehab to recovery.
When to See a Doctor?
It's important to see a doctor if you experience persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue. Early medical attention can help prevent serious complications and improve long-term heart health.
See a doctor if
- Chest pain lasts more than a few minutes.
- You experience unexplained fatigue or breathlessness.
- You have a family history of heart issues.
- You have risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity.
Early action can prevent serious complications like stroke or cardiac arrest.
Your health is everything - prioritize your well-being today.
Consult Heart Conditions Doctors Today
What is the Recovery Process After Heart Disease Treatment?
After treatment for heart disease, recovery includes regular check-ups, taking medication as prescribed, and lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and exercise.
Post-Treatment Recovery
- Hospital stay: A few days post-CABG or cardiac procedures.
- Follow-up visits: Regular check-ins to monitor heart function.
- Diet and Exercise: Heart-healthy diet, light activities under medical advice.
- Cardiac Rehab: Guided exercise and counselling support for long-term care.
At Medicover
We offer dedicated care teams, personalised recovery plans, and lifestyle coaching to support complete cardiac recovery.
What Precautions Can Help Prevent Heart Disease?
You can reduce the risk of heart disease by following a heart-healthy lifestyle and by exercising a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco as well as exercising regularly.
Prevention
- Have a heart-healthy, low-sodium, balanced diet
- Engage in regular physical activity
- Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol
- Avoid smoking and manage stress
- Routine heart health checkups
Complications If Untreated
It is important to note that complications arising from heart disease can be quite serious and even life-threatening. These include:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Stroke
- Cardiogenic shock
- Cardiac arrest
- Heart valve disease
- Pulmonary hypertension and
- Damage to your kidneys or liver.
What is Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)?
CABG is the surgical management option. Surgical surgery may be required if medical therapy is ineffective. Coronary artery bypass grafting is a common operation used to treat heart disease.
During this procedure, a blocked cardiac artery is bypassed by using a healthy blood vessel from another area of the body.
CABG procedure
- The CABG procedure requires patients to fast before surgery and to undertake a battery of tests to evaluate their general health.
- Anaesthesia: To guarantee that the patient is unconscious and pain-free throughout the surgery, general anaesthesia is given.
- Surgery: To open up a new channel for blood flow, the surgeon will make a cut in the chest, remove a healthy blood vessel, and attach it to the clogged artery.
- Recuperation: Patients will require time to properly recuperate at home after spending several days in the hospital.
Consequences of CABG
Although CABG is usually safe, there are a few possible negative effects, such as:
- Contamination
- Swelling
- Issues with the kidneys
- Dizziness or problems focusing - Heart rhythm abnormalities
Our Experience Treating Heart Disease
At Medicover Hospital, we offer specialised heart care for all forms of heart disease. Our specialists cover all areas of care, from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and recovery, ensuring the best possible outcomes and a renewed quality of life.
