Understanding Heart Conditions and Treatment

Heart disease is one of the most prevalent health issues globally. Here are some common conditions that can affect your heart:

• Arrhythmia: An arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat, where the heart may beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or in an irregular pattern. This can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently and may lead to symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
• Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thickened, or stiffened. This abnormality can weaken the heart and impair its ability to pump blood effectively. There are various types of cardiomyopathy, including dilated cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart chambers), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscle), and restrictive cardiomyopathy (stiffening of the heart muscle).
• Congestive Heart Failure: Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. This can result from various conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, or cardiomyopathy. Symptoms include fatigue, swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen (oedema), and shortness of breath.
• Coronary Artery Disease: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition where plaque buildup inside the coronary arteries narrows them, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. This can lead to angina (chest pain or discomfort) and increase the risk of heart attack if a coronary artery becomes completely blocked.
• Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterised by elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia). Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, including those in the heart. People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
• Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes suddenly blocked, cutting off blood flow and oxygen to part of the heart muscle. This can cause chest pain or discomfort (angina), shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or fatigue. Prompt medical treatment is crucial to restore blood flow and minimise heart muscle damage.
• Heart Valve Disease: Heart valve disease involves malfunctioning of one or more heart valves, which control blood flow through the heart chambers. This can lead to valve stenosis (narrowing) or valve regurgitation (leakiness), disrupting normal blood flow and potentially causing symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, fatigue, or shortness of breath.
• High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) is a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. Over time, untreated hypertension can damage arteries and organs, including the heart. It is often referred to as a “silent killer” because it may not cause symptoms initially but increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
• High Cholesterol: High cholesterol refers to elevated levels of cholesterol and other fats (lipids) in the blood. Excess cholesterol can contribute to the formation of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis), narrowing them and reducing blood flow. This increases the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
• Pericarditis: Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause chest pain, which may worsen when lying down or taking deep breaths. Pericarditis can be caused by infections, autoimmune disorders, or other medical conditions, and treatment aims to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.

These conditions highlight various aspects of heart health, ranging from structural abnormalities and electrical disturbances to metabolic disorders and inflammatory conditions affecting the heart and its function.