Cardiovascular diseases constitute more than 45% of total deaths in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a sedentary lifestyle and inappropriate health habits contribute to an increase in the incidence of these diseases.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and congenital heart defects.
The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which is caused by the buildup of fat deposits in the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack due to reduced blood flow to the heart.
Individuals may be born with a heart condition, or it may develop gradually as a result of poor lifestyle, including failure to control chronic diseases, and the acquisition of bad habits, such as smoking and wrong food choices.
Causes of heart disease
The causes of heart disease vary between individuals, and some common causes include:
- Lifestyle factorsIt includes unhealthy habits, such as smoking, poor diet high in saturated fat and salt, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, and high levels of stress.
- GeneticsFamily history and genetic factors that may increase the risk of heart disease.
- Medical conditions: These include chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic syndrome, which may increase the possibility of heart disease.
Diseases such as diabetes contribute to damage to blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease, and people with diabetes often have other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
- Infections, specifically inflammatory conditions in the heart caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites, such as inflammation of the pericardium or so-called pericarditis.
- Heart valve disorders, which occur due to birth defects, infections, or connective tissue disorders.
- Coronary artery disease: It is the most common type of heart disease caused by the accumulation of plaque in the arteries that supply the heart muscle, which leads to their narrowing, decreased blood flow and possible complications, such as angina or heart attacks.
Other factors also contribute, the most important of which are:
- التقدم في العمر.
- Gender, as men are more susceptible to heart disease in general.
- Race, as heart disease is more common among societies than others.
- Some medications that have a negative effect on heart health.
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What are the symptoms of heart disease?
Varies Symptoms of heart disease Depending on the specific condition and its severity, some common symptoms include:
- Chest pain or discomfort. This is a common symptom of heart disease and may appear as tightness, pressure, or constriction in the chest.
- Difficulty, shortness of breath, or a feeling of constriction, especially during physical activity.
- Feeling overly tired or lacking in energy.
- Heart palpitations, which means an irregular heartbeat or a feeling of a fast, strong or annoying pulse.
- Feeling dizzy or faint, which may occur due to lack of blood flow to the brain.
- Swelling, an accumulation of fluid in the legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen that may be a symptom of heart problems.
What are the types of heart disease?
There are different types of heart disease, each type has its own characteristics and repercussions, and the types differ based on the mechanism of injury to the heart and the extent of its impact on its work on blood flow and oxygen delivery.
Some common types include:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD).: It occurs when the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients become narrow or blocked due to the buildup of fatty deposits.
- Heart failure: A condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, as a result of a problem in the mechanism of contraction and relaxation of the heart muscles, which leads to a weakness in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the body’s organs and tissues.
- Cardiac arrhythmia: Arrhythmia can cause a rapid, slow, or irregular heartbeat, and these conditions vary in severity and danger.
- Heart valve disease: It occurs when the heart valves don't work properly, leading to problems with blood flow in and out of the heart.
- Congenital heart disease: A condition present at birth that affects the structure and function of the heart.
- اعتلال عضلة القلب: A condition in which the heart muscle weakens, leading to difficulties in pumping blood efficiently to the rest of the body.
- Myocardial infarction: Also known as a heart attack, it occurs when blood flow to one part of the heart stops, causing damage or death to the heart muscle.
- Inflammation of the pericardium, also called pericarditis. The pericardium is the fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart.
Treating heart disease
Treatment for heart disease depends on the specific condition and its severity, and some common treatment options include:
- Make lifestyle changes that can help prevent and manage heart disease, including:
- Follow a balanced diet low in saturated fat, salt and simple sugars.
- Do physical activity regularly.
- Quit smoking.
- Stress management.
- Controlling chronic diseases, adhering to the medications prescribed to treat them, and periodically following up with the doctor.
- العلاج الدوائيA variety of medications may be prescribed to manage heart disease, including medications to lower blood pressure, control cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots, regulate the heartbeat, and medications that increase blood flow to the heart.
- Procedures and surgeries: In some cases, medical interventions, such as surgery, may be necessary to treat heart disease.
- Coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
- القسطرة القلبية.
- Installing stents to open blocked arteries.
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG);
- Repair or replace heart valves.
- Cardiac rehabilitation: Cardiac rehabilitation programs offer a structured approach to helping individuals recover from heart-related procedures or surgeries.
Read more: The process of installing a pacemaker
It is necessary to work closely with a cardiologist;
In conclusion, this article highlights the importance of understanding heart disease and how to prevent and manage it effectively.
We hope that the article has provided you with a valuable understanding about heart disease, and we look forward to providing more useful medical information for your heart health.
The article was reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Amin Yassin
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