Overview:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States as of the 2007 survey. It is an actual umbrella term for a host of different diseases which actually affect the heart. There are different diseases of the heart, and the most common types are the following:

1. Coronary heart disease - this disease is caused by the accumulation of atheromatous plaques inside the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium: This affects the heart itself;

2. Ischaemic heart disease - this a disease of the heart itself, manifested by decreased blood supply to the organ;

3. Cardiovascular disease - a sub-umbrella term for a wide array of diseases that affect the blood vessel system and the heart itself, especially the major veins and arteries;

4. Hereditary heart disease - this heart disease is caused by inevitable genetic factors;

5. Cor pulmonale - a failure of the actual right side of the heart;

6. Hypertensive heart disease - this disease is caused by localized high blood pressure;

7. Inflammatory heart disease - this disease involves inflammation and swelling of the heart muscle including the tissue surrounding it;

8. Valvular heart disease - a heart disease in which the valves of the heart are affected.

Cardiovascular disease refers to the disorders of the different parts of the cardiovascular system that include the heart and the blood vessels. The human heart is the body’s hardest operational organ. For the entire life, it constantly pumps blood - rich with oxygen and vital nutrients, to all parts of the actual body. For it to perform the laborious task, the heart muscle requires an abundant supply of oxygen-rich blood. A network of coronary arteries provides the oxygen-rich blood to the heart’s muscular walls, known as the myocardium. If flow of blood to the myocardium is interrupted, infarct occurs, known as myocardial infarction, or in layman’s tern - heart attack. Cardiovascular diseases include angina, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, heart attack, high cholesterol, stroke, aneurysms, and arrhythmia.

On the other hand, a stroke is the “brain attack” that occurs when there’s a formation of blood clot that blocks the artery going to the brain or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting normal blood flow to an area of the brain. When these things happen, the brain cells begin to die and damage to the brain occurs. When brain cells die, abilities controlled the area affected with the death of cells in the brain are lost. The common abilities that are affected include speech, movement and memory. The effects of stroke depend on the extent of the damage in the brain.

Contrary to the term, heartburn is condition that is not at all related to the heart. It is a condition that is felt just below the breastbone, caused by a painful feeling in the esophagus. The release of gastric acid from the stomach causes heartburn. When the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) muscle is not able to block the release of acids in the stomach, gastric acid reaches the esophagus. The pain extends from the esophagus to the chest and may even be felt in the upper respiratory parts like the throat. Heartburn is said to be one of the main reasons for acquiring the condition of the chronic cough.

Causes of Heart Health Deterioration and Risk Factors:

Cigarette smoking is one of the major causes of acquiring heart diseases. Cigarettes weaken the immune system and contain toxic chemicals. Heart disease usually involves previous tobacco-induced impaired breathing, and death is the most common consequence of cigarette smoking.

Known and related causes of cardiovascular disease are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia and hypercholesterolemia. Inherited genes are known factors in the occurrence of heart disease.

Blood vessels are the most common affected area in women who suffer with cardiovascular disease, while the heart muscle is the most affected area in men with cardiovascular diseases.

Strokes are caused by problems with your heart, arteries and veins, or the blood that flows through them. Fatty deposits - caused by atherosclerosis or the hardening or buildup of cholesterol plaque and other fatty deposits in the arteries can obstruct and block the arteries that take blood from the heart to the brain. The arteries that are greatly affected are situated on each side of the neck; they are called carotid and vertebral arteries. Blood problems like sickle cell disease and severe anemia may also cause stroke, it left untreated.

Stroke may happen to anyone. But your probability for having a stroke increases in uncontrollable risk factors like, being over age 55, being male, being African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, or having a family history of stroke. Other stroke risk factors are controllable. 80% of strokes are preventable.

Smoking increases twice the risk for stroke. Increased alcohol intake elevates the risk for stroke by as much as three times and this can also lead to liver disease, accidents and more. High cholesterol level in the body, with elevated LDL (low density lipoprotein), identified as the “bad” cholesterol, is the form that builds up and causes plaque that may narrow arteries and interrupt the normal blood flow. LDL can be hereditary and it can be the result of a high-saturated fats diet, lack of exercise, or diabetes. Increased sodium and fat in the diet contributes in the promotion of higher stroke cases.

An unhealthy person is the primary target of heartburn. It is caused mainly by a poor eating diet complimented by an unfit body with a low immunity system. Those who regularly drink alcohol are more viable victims of heartburn because the chemicals in alcohol can weaken the LES. Also, caffeine can lead to further weakening the LES. Eating unhealthy food like junk food and bingeing on food especially before going to sleep may also cause heartburn, as these foods tend to disrupt the digestive system and gives the stomach more push to release gastric acid up towards the esophagus. Acidic food and beverages also do not help in decreasing the risk of getting heartburn because the person who is fond of such food usually prompts the stomach’s release of more gastric acid. Also, immobility or lying around immediately after eating may cause heartburn because of disruptions caused in the digestive system. Heartburn can occur for a period of two hours to a few weeks, depending on how weak the LES is.

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Health Deterioration:

Symptoms of heart attack are pain, fullness, and squeezing sensation of the chest. Patients may have jaw pain, headache, toothache, and shortness of breath. Nausea, vomiting, general epigastric discomfort, and sweating are common to patients. Heartburn and indigestion, left arm pain, upper back pain and general malaise or vague feeling of illness are present in patients who suffer heart disease. But there are times that heart attack is silent that it shows to symptoms – no chest pain. This is common to patients with diabetes mellitus.

Stroke has the following signs and symptoms:

  • Sudden numbness and weakness of face, arm or leg, especially if this happens on one side of the body only.
  • Sudden trouble in speaking, confusion or trouble in understanding.
  • Sudden trouble sight, it could be one or both eyes.
  • Sudden loss of balance or coordination, trouble in walking and dizziness.
  • Sudden severe headache with unknown reason.
  • If one side of the face droop when smiling.
  • If one arm drift downward when both arms are raised.
  • If words are slurred and cannot repeat the sentence correctly.

The symptoms of heartburn usually occur from the chest area up to the mouth, throat, and conditions that affect the nasal tract. The first symptom is evidently the burning feeling in the chest. Another symptom would be the bitter, acid-like taste in the mouth. Sometimes, those with heartburn also feel the need to throw up because they feel the rise of acidic liquid in the throat. Trying to vomit is also one means for a person to try to rid oneself of the pain caused by heartburn. Continuous coughing and sneezing are also symptoms of heartburn. Sometimes, people also confuse the symptoms of heartburn with asthma.

Treatment:

Although the symptoms of an actual heart attack are sometimes vague and mild, it is vital to keep in mind that assymptomatic or mild heart attacks or only mild symptoms can be serious and life–threatening. Early detection and treatment saves lives, or makes heart diseases become less fatal.

Treatment for mild to severe heart health deterioration which can ultimately lead to heart disease includes:

· Oxygen applied through a tube in the nose or face mask

· Nitroglycerin put under the tongue

· Pain medicines like morphine or meperidine

· Aspirin, but to those with allergy to aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix) will be given.

· Clot-dissolving medicines with tissue plasminogen activators (tPAs)

· Angioplasty or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or PTCA. This is one of the straightest methods of removal the blockage in a coronary artery.

· Stenting, a stent may be inserted into a coronary artery right after balloon angioplasty.

· Atherectomy. This removes the plaque by cutting it out with a drill-like rotating blade or a laser

· Intravenous (IV) nitroglycerin relaxes (dilates) the coronary arteries thus improving blood flow to the heart.

· Blood thinner Heparin or anticoagulant; it reduces the propensity of blood to clot in the coronary arteries.

· Beta-blockers decrease the heart rate and blood force.

· Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may prevent reoccurrence of heart attacks.

· Standard coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or “open heart surgery,”

· Off-pump bypass surgery, a bypass surgery without using pump.

· Minimally invasive coronary bypass is a small keyhole-type incision

Rehabilitation is the most important part of treating and recovery from a stroke. During rehabilitation, relearning or regaining the basic skills like speaking, dressing, eating, and walking. The main goal is to recover and improve the function to become independent as possible.

Rehabilitation, in fact, starts in the hospital after the stroke. Rehabilitation may begin within two days after the stroke has happened in patients who are stable, and it should be continued as needed after the leaving from the hospital.

Heartburn is usually treated with antacid medication and acid-blockers to help hinder the rise of gastric acid towards the esophagus. A higher form of medication, called proto-pump inhibitor, is prescribed to those with whom basic drugs do not work. Drugs that belong to the proto-pump type immediately block acid production in the stomach and supplement the LES. In extreme cases where heartburn lasts for months, surgery is recommended.

Prevention of Heart Health Deterioration:

Individuals with normal blood pressure have lower risk of having a heart attack. People with hypertension must lower the blood pressure. Reduced LDL (low density lipoprotein) and total cholesterol levels reduce the risk of acquiring the disease. Increased intake of HDL (high density lipoprotein) helps in the prevention of having heart diseases. Regular to frequent exercise is highly advised. Alcohol consumption must be functionally controlled. High-fiber, low-fat diet can help prevent heart disease. Research shows that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can help prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.

Below are the Stroke Prevention Guidelines established by National Stroke Association’s Stroke Prevention Advisory Board:

  • Know your blood pressure. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. Have a regular check up.
  • Find out for the presence of atrial fibrillation. Arterial fibrillation is an irregular beating of the heart that causes changes in the pumping of blood. Blood that is not moving clots, and when it is pumped out to the blood stream, it causes stroke since it blocks the flow of blood to the brain.
  • Stop smoking. Smoking doubles the risk of having stroke.
  • Drink moderately.
  • Check your cholesterol level. Increased LDL in the blood builds up and causes plaque that interrupts the flow of blood to the brain.
  • Follow doctor’s advice for diabetic patients.
  • Exercise.
  • Lower sodium intake and lower fat diet. Have a balanced diet each day with lots of fruits, grains, vegetables, and a moderate amount of protein like meat, fish, eggs, milk, nuts, tofu, and some beans. Fiber like whole grain bread and cereal products, raw, unpeeled vegetables and fruits and dried beans added to the diet reduces the risk of stroke occurrence.
  • Know if you have circulation problems, like fatty deposits in the arteries.
  • Know the Symptoms of Stroke.

Change of lifestyle is the most popular suggestion that doctors give to patients who experience heartburn. This is because heartburn is most often linked to one’s diet, and the intake of food that is high in acidity as already mentioned above. Those who regularly smoke and drink alcohol should stop in order to decrease the risk of heartburn. Studies also show that drinking lots of water can help decrease a person’s acidity and consequently decrease the risk of heartburn. People who are overweight should also try to lose some weight, as heavier people are usually more acidic than those who are able to maintain an ideal weight. High-protein meals are also recommended, while high-fat meals are discouraged. A person who is trying to avoid heartburn should also make sure that he or she does not sleep immediately after a heavy meal.

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