Heart disease refers to a medical problem that affects the heart and its blood vessels. The Mayo Clinic explains that heart disease is also known as cardiovascular disease, and is a potentially fatal condition in which blood vessels are blocked or constricted. Typical treatments for heart disease include making lifestyle changes, such as exercising and eating right, and taking such medications as aspirin, beta-blockers or diuretics. Left untreated, heart disease can lead to complications.
Heart Attack
A heart attack, medically known as a myocardial infarction, is the direct result of heart disease. The heart does not receive enough blood when cholesterol blocks a major blood vessel inside the heart. The Mayo Clinic states that typical heart attack symptoms include chest pain that moves to the shoulder, back, jaw or teeth, sweating, fainting, vomiting, nausea and shortness of breath. Sometimes, a heart attack causes dizziness, fatigue and stomach pain. Left untreated, a heart attack can ultimately lead to irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, a rupture of the heart, or heart valve problems. Treating a heart attack involves taking such medications as aspirin, thrombolytics, nitroglycerin, beta blockers and cholesterol-lowering medications. Sometimes, a surgical procedure such as coronary angioplasty and stenting may be necessary to treat a heart attack.
Aneurysm
An aneurysm refers to a widening of an artery due to a weakness within the blood vessel walls. Heart disease can lead to this. MedlinePlus states that an aneurysm can occur in the brain, behind the leg, in the spleen, in the intestine and in the aorta, a major blood vessel that stems from the heart. Unfortunately, an aneurysm typically presents with no symptoms. Sometimes, a mass can be felt. Surgery is the treatment of choice for aneurysms. However, this typically depends on the aneurysm size and location. Left untreated, an aneurysm can lead to rupture, bleeding, an infection, or death.
Heart Failure
Heart disease can also lead to heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart no longer pumps enough blood to a majority of the body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), specific symptoms of chronic heart failure include a cough, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, swollen feet or ankles and a poor appetite. UMMC also states that some risk factors for getting heart failure include being overweight, having high blood pressure and diabetes. Treatment of heart failure includes exercising daily, eating a balanced diet and taking such medications as captopril, irbesartan, digoxin or propanolol.
