According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, kills more Americans every year than all cancers combined. Heart disease is a blanket term that describes many diseases that affect the circulatory/cardiovascular system, or the heart and blood vessels. Examples include coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, arrhythmias or heart rhythm problems, and blocked blood vessels leading to heart attack and stroke. Estimated costs for heart disease in the United States are $316.4 billion for 2010 alone.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of heart disease vary with specific conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of heart disease occurring in the blood vessels, meaning the vessels are not receiving adequate blood flow, include chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness and coldness or numbness in arms and legs. Abnormal heartbeat or arrhythmias have symptoms of a fluttering, racing or slow heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting. Breathlessness, swelling in feet, ankles and legs, bloating, fatigue, irregular heartbeats and dizziness with or without fainting indicate cardiomyopathy, or thickened heart muscle, another type of heart disease. Any severe chest pain and numbness in arms or legs should be reported to a medical professional immediately.
Causes
Cardiovascular disease can be caused by congenital or hereditary disorders of the heart. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, it is usually caused by the damage to the heart or blood vessels by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Arteries carry nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and too much dietary fat and cholesterol along with too little exercise can cause buildup of plaque. The arteries can also become hardened and stiff, which will restrict blood and nutrient flow as well and is also caused by an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking. Diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, stress, excessive alcohol and caffeine and drug abuse are other causes of abnormal heartbeat and cardiovascular disease.
Complications
Heart failure, which can lead to death, is the most common complication of heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. This occurs when the heart can no longer pump adequate blood to the rest of the body. Coronary artery disease, associated with the buildup of plaque in the arteries, can cause heart attack or stroke, which indicates a blood clot of plaque blocking the flow of blood in the artery. This will cause damage or destroy parts of the cardiovascular system or brain as brain tissue can die after a few minutes of restricted blood flow. Other complications include aneurysm, peripheral artery disease, kidney disease and sudden cardiac arrest, which is a sudden unexpected loss of heart function.
Diagnosis
Blood tests looking at substances including triglycerides and cholesterol are usually conducted to diagnose heart disease. A chest X-ray will also show heart disease looking specifically at any possible enlargement of the heart. An echocardiogram is another way a doctor may look at the heart by means of an ultrasound. An electrocardiogram (EKG) will be used to detect any irregularities in the heart's structure and rhythm. Holter monitors can be worn for 24 to 72 hours to detect irregularities in rhythm as well in order to diagnose heart disease. A heart biopsy, cardiac catherization, cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are other tests that may be done for proper diagnosis.
Treatment
A lifestyle change is usually in order once diagnosed with heart disease. Exercising regularly and eating a healthy low-fat, low-sodium diet has great importance. Medications can be prescribed to lower blood pressure and cholesterol or to thin the blood to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke. Beta-blocker medications can help make the heart beat less forcefully and more slowly to help reduce strain on the heart muscle. Other medications can help regulate rhythm problems in arrhythmias. Some surgical procedures such as a coronary angioplasty may be warranted based on condition and severity. Those with an irregular heartbeat may need to have a pacemaker.
Prevention and Risk Factors
Some risk factors including age; sex, with males at a higher risk; family history; and predisposition to high blood pressure and cholesterol cannot be directly controlled. However, some such as smoking, diet, exercise and controlling conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol and blood pressure can be. The CDC recommends all individuals stay at a healthy weight and eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol to reduce risk of developing heart disease. Regular exercise including 30 minutes of physical activity daily and limiting alcohol use will also reduce risk. Controlling diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol levels through medication, diet or both reduces risk. Reducing stress is also important.
