Causes Of Heart Disease, Heart disease is a general term that includes many diseases that may affect the heart. These diseases affect the functions of the heart and its working mechanism. They can affect the heart muscle itself, the main arteries and veins in the heart, the valves, or the membrane surrounding the heart. Although we often do not know the true cause of heart disease, some heart diseases are hereditary or congenital, while others are acquired diseases due to lifestyle.
Reasons heart disease
The heart muscle consists of the atria and ventricles, in addition to the valves, main arteries and veins, and the heart’s working mechanism is through The nerve nodes in the heart release electrical charges,In order to stimulate the heart muscle to contract and relax in a harmonious and harmonious movement with the opening and closing of the valves, as a result of which blood flows into the arteries, and is pumped to nourish the rest of the body’s organs, and feeds the heart muscle itself through the coronary artery.
Diseases that affect the heart can be divided as follows:
- Heart valve diseases.
- Arrhythmia.
- Congenital heart defects.
- Cardiomyopathy.
- Vascular diseases.
- Inflammation of the heart
First, heart valve diseases
The heart contains four valves: the aortic valve, the pulmonary valve, the mitral valve, and the tricuspid valve. A defect can occur in any of these valves, thus affecting the amount of blood flowing to and from the heart. Heart diseases resulting from valve dysfunction are divided into three types. According to the nature of the defect that occurs in the valve, it is as follows:
- Valve stenosis: In this type, the valve thickens and does not open sufficiently, so the amount of blood passing through it decreases, which requires greater effort from the heart muscle to pump blood more strongly to the body’s organs.
- Valve regurgitation: In this condition, the valve does not close well and some of the blood refluxes back.
- Valve prolapse: This means the valve becomes loose and the tissues that make up the valve expand. It is susceptible to valve regurgitation and requires periodic monitoring.
Symptoms of heart disease resulting from a valve defect are as follows:
- shortness of breath.
- Fatigue and tiredness.
- Fainting and dizziness.
- Arrhythmia.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles.
Causes of heart valve disease:
- Rheumatic fever.
- Calcium deposits.
- Inflammation of the pericardium.
Secondly, heart rhythm disorder
Arrhythmia is a disease or disorder that results from an electrical imbalance in the heart. This imbalance either causes the heartbeat to slow to less than 60 beats per minute, or causes the heartbeat to accelerate to more than 100 beats per minute.
Symptoms of electrical heart disease appear on the patient as follows:
- Heart palpitations.
- Shortness of breath, chest pain.
- Dizziness and loss of consciousness.
- Heart rate
- Slow heartbeat.
The causes of arrhythmia are:
- Hypertension.
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Excessive drinking of stimulants and caffeine.
- Drugs.
- Constant exposure to stress and stress.
- Some medications may cause irregular heartbeat as a side effect.
Third, heart disease due to birth defects
Some individuals may be born with congenital heart disease. Congenital heart defects develop during the first months of the fetus’ growth in the womb. They may be minor deformities or severe deformities and include:
- Cyanotic heart disease, in which a heart defect occurs that results in a lack of oxygen in the blood.
- Septal defects in the heart, which are represented by the presence of a hole between the chambers of the heart.
- Obstructive heart defects, which represent complete or partial obstruction of blood flow between the heart chambers.
Symptoms of congenital heart disease
- Change in skin color to blue or grey.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, around the eyes and in the abdomen.
- Shortness of breath upon exertion.
- Fluid buildup in the heart or lungs.
Fourth, cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy can occur due to increased thickness of the left ventricular wall and is a known genetic disorder or occurs without known causes.
Cardiomyopathy can occur because the heart muscle is weak, thickened, or stiff.
Symptoms that appear as a result of cardiomyopathy are as follows:
- Fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
- Fatigue and tiredness.
- Shortness of breath, whether when exerting effort or when relaxing.
- Heart rhythm disorder
- Feeling dizzy.
Heart failure can occur, meaning it loses its ability to pump blood efficiently. Heart failure is often a complication of other heart diseases, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure or coronary heart disease.
Fifth: vascular diseases of the heart
It occurs due to narrowing or blockage in one of the blood vessels, resulting in obstruction of blood access to parts of the body, including the heart muscle itself. For example, coronary artery disease (which is the artery that supplies the heart muscle with elements). And oxygenIf a defect occurs in this artery, it results in an imbalance in the amount of blood supplying the heart muscle.
Symptoms of cardiovascular disease are as follows:
- shortness of breath.
- pain in chest.
- Feeling tired and heart palpitations.
Causes of cardiovascular disease
- High cholesterol in the blood.
- Following an unhealthy, high-fat diet.
- Do not exercise or exert physical effort.
- Obesity.
- Smoking.
Sixth: heart infections
Heart infections include three types according to the location of the inflammation, which are as follows:
- Inflammation of the pericardium (inflammation of the pericardium). Pericardium Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, which covers the heart.
- Endocarditis refers to heart disease resulting from inflammation of the internal heart membranes separating the heart chambers and valves.
- Myocarditis is a type of inflammation that affects the middle layer of the heart muscle.
Symptoms of heart disease caused by infections
- Fever and high temperature.
- shortness of breath.
- The appearance of a skin rash.
- Complaining about a dry cough that may be continuous.
- Swollen legs and abdominal bloating.
Causes of heart infections
- Bacterial, viral or parasitic infection.
- Some medications may induce allergic reactions and inflammation of the heart.
Diagnosis of heart disease
Heart diseases are diagnosed through clinical examination and discussion of symptoms with the treating physician, in addition to performing examinations and tests determined by the doctor, which include:
- Electrocardiogram.
- Echocardiography.
- Holter monitoring.
- X-ray imaging.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Cardiac catheterization.
Treating heart disease
Treatment varies according to the type of cardiovascular disease the patient has, in addition to the severity of the disease and the stage the patient has reached. The patient’s health status and age also play a major role in determining the appropriate treatment plan for him. In general, the treatment options for cardiovascular disease are:
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Changing the patient’s habits and lifestyle
In some early cases of heart disease, prevention and treatment can be done by changing the patient’s lifestyle to a healthy lifestyle based on eating healthy food, exercising, and maintaining weight, in addition to stopping smoking and alcohol.
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Drug treatment
In simple and moderate cases of heart disease, medications can be used to control the disease and prevent the condition from deteriorating, in addition to alleviating the symptoms, but the patient must adhere to the medication and regular follow-up.
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Surgical treatment
It means performing heart surgery in order to solve the problem, and it may be through open-heart surgery or using a catheter or surgical laparoscope. The success rate of heart operations has increased to a point where98% Due to modern technologies and the possibility of some of them being performed with limited intervention, which makes the surgical option safer while ensuring a faster recovery for the patient.
If you are suffering from a heart problem, we advise you to contact the professor Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghannam is a professor and consultant Heart and chest surgeries, Call now and book your appointment via the clinic’s mobile phone 01211979117, or you can communicate online to book an appointment.
