Heart Diseases
This is page will help you understand and learn more about heart diseases and know about their types, symptoms, causes, etc
01
Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease, also known as coronary heart disease, is the most common type of heart disease.
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It develops when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become clogged with plaque. This causes them to harden and narrow. Plaque contains cholesterol and other substances. As a result, the blood supply reduces, and the heart receives less oxygen and fewer nutrients. In time, the heart muscle weakens, and there is a risk of heart failure and arrhythmias.
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When plaque builds up in the arteries, it is called atherosclerosis. Plaque in the arteries can rupture from blockages and cause blood flow to stop, which can lead to a heart attack.
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Causes of CAD
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CAD develops as a result of injury or damage to the inner layer of a coronary artery. This damage causes fatty deposits of plaque to build up at the injury site.
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These deposits consist of cholesterol and other inflammatory products from cells. This buildup is called atherosclerosis.
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If pieces of plaque break off or rupture, platelets will cluster in the area in an attempt to repair the blood vessel. This cluster can block the artery and reduce or block blood flow, which may lead to a heart attack.
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Symptoms
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There are also many symptoms regarding CAD
CAD can lead to angina. This is a type of chest pain linked to heart disease.
Angina may cause the following feelings across the chest:
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squeezing
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pressure
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heaviness
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tightening
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burning
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aching
Angina might also cause the following symptoms:
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weakness
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sweating
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nausea
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cramping
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dizziness
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uneasiness
CAD can also lead to shortness of breath. If the heart and other organs do not receive enough oxygen, any form of exertion can become very tiring, which may cause a person to pant for air. If a plaque has ruptured, it can cause shortness of breath at rest.
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02
Congenital Heart Disease
A congenital heart defect (CHD) is the most common form of congenital heart disease. It is also one of the most common and potentially severe birth abnormalities. This type of abnormality can obstruct blood flow in the heart or nearby vessels, or it may cause blood to flow through the heart irregularly. CHD also has some types. Doctors classify CHDs depending on the part of the heart most affected.
The common type is a ventricular septal defect. This involves the wall between the heart’s two ventricles never fully developing in utero, leaving a gap.
There are also different types of congenital heart disease. It may be cyanotic, in which case an abnormality causes low blood oxygen levels.
Infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease experience breathlessness, fainting, and fatigue, and they may have bluish toes, fingers, and lips.
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The disease can be acyanotic. In this case, there is enough oxygen in the blood, but the heart does not pump the blood around the body effectively.
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CHD also has some symtoms:
Cyanotic CHD
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a bluish tinge to the lips, fingers, and toes, called cyanosis
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small size or low body weight
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delayed growth, difficulty feeding, and poor appetite, in infants
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a low concentration of oxygen in the body, leading to hyperventilation
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sweating, especially during feedings
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chest pain
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fainting
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difficulty breathing
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Acyanotic CHD​
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breathlessness, especially during physical activity
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sweating, especially during feedings
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a slow growth rate and a low body weight
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difficulty feeding and poor appetite, in infants
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extreme tiredness
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chest pain
