FOR
ALL YOUR MEDICAL NEEDS
TEL:
021-63863388, 63862364
FAX: 021-63865139
EMAIL: majusehatraksa@yahoo.com
UNDERSTANDING
OF CARDIAC DISEASE’S (ELEMENTARY APPROACH)
You know how important a person's heart is,
so it's no wonder people worry when they hear someone has heart
problems. Heart disease, also called cardiovascular
disease, mainly affects older people and means
that there are problems with the heart and blood vessels.
You might know someone who has cardiovascular
disease because 61 million Americans have some form of it. This
disease includes a variety of problems, including high blood
pressure, high blood cholesterol, hardening of the arteries,
chest pain, heart attacks, and strokes
The heart is the center of the cardiovascular
system. Through the body's blood vessels, the heart pumps blood
to all of the body's cells. The blood carries oxygen, which
the cells need. Cardiovascular disease is a group of problems
that occur when the heart and blood vessels aren't working the
way they should.
Here are some of the problems that go along
with cardiovascular disease:
Arteriosclerosis
and atherosclerosis: Also called hardening of
the arteries, arteriosclerosis means a person's arteries become
thickened and are no longer as flexible. People with atherosclerosis
have a buildup of cholesterol and fat that makes their arteries
narrower so less blood can flow through. Those deposits are
called plaque.
Angina:
People with angina feel a pain in the chest that means the heart
isn't getting enough blood.
Heart attack:
When a blood clot or other blockage cuts blood flow to a part
of the heart.
Stroke:
When part of the brain doesn't get enough blood due to a clot
or a burst blood vessel.
How
Do You Get Heart Disease? Heart disease is not contagious - you can't
catch it like you can the flu or a cold. Instead, there are
certain things that increase a person's chances of getting cardiovascular
disease. Doctors call these things risk factors. Some of these
risk factors a person can't do anything about, like being older
and having other people in the family who have had the same
problems. But there are some risk factors that people have control
over. Smoking, having high blood pressure, being overweight,
and not exercising can increase the risk of getting cardiovascular
disease.
What
Are the Signs of Heart Disease?
Many people do not realize they have cardiovascular disease
until they have chest pain, a heart attack, or stroke. These
kinds of problems often need immediate attention and the person
may need to go to the emergency department of a hospital. If
it's not an emergency and a doctor suspects the person could
have cardiovascular disease, the doctor can do some tests to
find out more about how the heart and blood vessels are working.
These tests include:
Electrocardiogram
- This test records the heart's electrical activity. A doctor
puts the patient on a monitor and watches the machine to
see the heart beat and determine if it's normal.
Echocardiogram
- This test uses sound waves to diagnose heart problems.
These waves are bounced off the parts of the heart, creating
a picture of the heart that is displayed on a monitor.
Stress
test - For this test, the person exercises
while the doctor checks the electrocardiogram machine to
see how the heart muscle reacts.
Catheterization
- This test uses a long, thin tube that is inserted into
the patient's body to inject a special dye. It can locate
narrowed areas in arteries due to plaque buildup and find
other problems.
Carotid
artery scan - This test uses sound waves
to check for blockages in the carotid artery, a large blood
vessel in the neck that supplies blood to the brain.
If the doctor finds that a patient has cardiovascular
disease, he or she will talk with the patient about how stopping
smoking, losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting exercise
can help. The person also may need to take medicine, have surgery,
or both.
There are different surgeries for the heart
and blood vessels. Some of these include:
Angioplasty
- This opens a blocked vessel by using a balloon-like device
at an artery's narrowest point. The doctor may also insert
a stent, which is a tiny, stainless steel tube that props
the vessel open and makes sure it stays clear.
Atherectomy - This involves cutting
the plaque out of an artery, so blood can flow freely.
Bypass surgery - This involves taking
part of an artery or vein from another part of the body
(like the arm or leg) and using it to channel blood around
a blocked area in an artery.
Pacemakers - A pacemaker is a small
electronic device that's put inside the body to regulate
the heartbeat.
Valve replacement - If a heart valve
is damaged or isn't working, a surgeon can replace it.
Carotid endarterectomy - During this
procedure, a surgeon removes plaque deposits from the carotid
artery to prevent a stroke.
If someone you know is getting one of these
operations, you might feel worried. The good news is that these
surgeries can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other
problems. The amount of time the person will need to spend in
the hospital will vary, depending on the operation and the person's
health. The person may be tired and worn out after the surgery,
but you can help by making a "Get Well" card and visiting
the person.
Can
Kids Get Heart Disease?
Kids usually don't have any symptoms of heart and blood vessel
problems while they are young. But by starting heart-healthy
habits right now, kids can reduce the chance they will ever
need to worry about cardiovascular disease. So what should you
do? Don't smoke, for one. And be sure to eat healthy, exercise,
and maintain a healthy weight. Your heart and blood vessels
will thank you later!
