Are you concerned about your heart? Let's talk about Heart Disease!

Today we are going to talk about a topic that is important to many people, and a little scary. That is heart disease, or as we all know it, ``Heart Disease''. You may think, "Oh, this doesn't apply to me." But wait, it is very important for everyone to know about this. Because, our heart is a small but very powerful organ that gives life to our entire body.

What is this heart disease?

Simply put, heart disease refers to a variety of problems that can affect your heart. When most people think of heart disease, they immediately think of coronary artery disease (CAD) , which is a condition in which fatty deposits build up in the arteries of the heart and can lead to heart attacks. But in reality, problems can occur in the heart muscle, valves, or even the heart's electrical system. Think of it this way: our heart is like an engine in our body. This engine pumps blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout our body. So, if something goes wrong with this engine, meaning it doesn't get the "fuel" it needs, it affects the functioning of every other system in our body. But there's good news! With small changes in our lifestyle and, if necessary, with medication taken as prescribed by a doctor, we can keep our hearts healthy and reduce our risk of developing heart disease.

What are the main types of heart disease?

Heart disease is not a single disease. There are different types. Let's look at the main types that are seen:

• Narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart due to fatty deposits: This is what we call coronary artery disease .
• Heartbeat abnormalities: Sometimes the heart beats slowly, sometimes it beats quickly. These are called arrhythmias .
• Heart Valve Diseases: Our heart has valves that help blood flow in only one direction. These can become defective.
• Cardiomyopathy: This includes things like weakening and thickening of the heart muscle.
• Heart Failure: This is when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body.
• Congenital Heart Disease : Some babies may be born with certain heart defects.
• Problems that occur in the fluid-filled sac around the heart (pericardial diseases):Things like inflammation can occur in this sac that protects the heart.

You see, how diverse they are. That's why the symptoms that each person experiences are different.

How common is heart disease?

In fact, heart disease is a leading cause of death in many countries around the world, including our own. It affects all races, regardless of gender. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.

What are the symptoms of heart disease? Along with early warning signs

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of heart disease, but there are some common signs that we should look out for :

• Palpitations : It may feel like a pounding sound coming from inside your chest.
• Sweating : If you sweat excessively for no particular reason.
• Fainting , dizziness : A feeling of being lightheaded or dizzy.
• Difficulty breathing : You feel dizzy even after doing a small task, and it feels like you are having trouble breathing.
• Dizziness or sudden loss of consciousness : A sudden loss of consciousness and feeling like you are about to fall.
• Pain, tightness, heaviness, or discomfort in the chest or upper chest : This is the symptom that most people fear. It can start in the middle of the chest and travel down the left arm, neck, and jaw. Some people may feel like their chest is being squeezed, or like something is weighing them down.
• Neck pain .
• Heartburn or indigestion : Some people may think this is gastritis. However, if it is accompanied by chest pain, you should be concerned.
• Nausea or vomiting .
• Swelling in the lower body : especially swelling of the legs and ankles.
• Exhaustion : Feeling tired no matter how much sleep you get.
• Difficulty sleeping .
• Inability to tolerate exercise : Things that were previously easy now become difficult to do.
• Fever : Fever may occur in some heart infections.

Early Warning Signs:

Sometimes our bodies give us small signs before a big problem occurs. If you recognize these, you can seek treatment quickly:

* Chest pain.

* Shortness of breath.

* Swelling of the legs.

* Frequent fatigue.

* Dizziness, sudden fainting, or frequent near-fainting.

If you continue to have one or more of these symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor . Don't just ignore it.

Why do we get heart disease? What are the causes?

There is no single cause of heart disease. Different types of heart disease are influenced by different factors. Here are some common factors that can contribute:

• Scarring of the heart muscle.
• Coronary Artery Disease .
• Genetic Issues : Some heart diseases can be inherited.
• Kidney function problems.
• Infections: Even severe infections that occur outside the heart can affect the heart.
• Thyroid problems .
• Rheumatic Disease .
• Changes in the heart occur with aging.
• Injuries to a part of the heart.
• Heart damage due to heart attacks.
• Some medical conditions, for example , autoimmune diseases .
• Pregnancy: Some women may develop heart problems during pregnancy.
• Certain medications, especially some chemotherapy drugs for cancer.
• Drug use: Things like alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine.
• High blood pressure .
• Abnormal heart rhythm.

What are the risk factors for developing heart disease?

Certain habits, lifestyles, and health conditions increase the risk of developing heart disease. We call these risk factors. Let's see what these risk factors are:

• High Cholesterol : High levels of bad cholesterol in the blood can cause plaque to build up in the arteries of the heart.
• High Blood Pressure : This is what high blood pressure means. This puts extra strain on the heart.
• Use of tobacco products : Things like smoking cigarettes and chewing gum.
• Sedentary lifestyle : Sitting in one place without any exercise.
• Family history of heart disease : If your mother, father, or siblings have heart disease, you may also be at risk.
• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus : Also called sugar disease.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25: This means that you are overweight for your height.
• Unhealthy diet : Eating too much oil, salt, sugar, and artificial foods.
• Substance Use Disorder .

Some of these risk factors are within our control. For example, we can change our diet, exercise, and stop smoking.

What are the complications that can occur due to heart disease?

If heart disease is not managed properly, it can lead to more serious health problems, called complications.Some of these can even be life-threatening.

• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure
• Cardiomyopathy
• Stroke
• Abnormal Heart Rhythms
• Cardiogenic Shock : The heart is unable to pump enough blood, resulting in a lack of blood supply to the body's organs.
• Cardiac Arrest : Sudden cessation of the heart.
• Heart Valve Disease
• Pulmonary Hypertension : Increased pressure in the veins that carry blood to the lungs.
• Kidney or liver damage.

That's why it's so important to get proper treatment for heart disease.

How do doctors diagnose heart disease? (Diagnosis)

If you have symptoms of heart disease, when you see a doctor, they will examine you, ask about your symptoms, and find out if anyone in your family has heart disease. Then, they will order some diagnostic tests to confirm the exact cause of the disease.

What are the main tests used to diagnose heart disease?

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) : This tests the electrical activity of the heart. It is a test that involves attaching small stickers to the chest and arms.
• Ambulatory Monitors : Sometimes an ECG alone is not enough to detect a problem. In that case, you will be given a small device that you can wear for a day or two to continuously record your heart rhythm. A Holter monitor is one of these.
• Echocardiogram (Echo) : This is like an ultrasound scan of the heart. It can check many things about the heart, such as its size, shape, how its valves are working, and how it pumps blood.
• Cardiac CT Scan : This can take detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart : This can also produce very clear images of the heart.
• Blood tests : These check things like cholesterol levels, sugar levels, and certain enzymes that accumulate in the blood when the heart is damaged.
• Stress Test (or Exercise ECG) : An ECG is used to check how your heart responds to exercise, either by having you run on a treadmill or ride a bike.
• Cardiac Catheterization / Angiogram : In this procedure, a small tube is inserted through a vein in the arm or leg into the heart's arteries to see if there is any blockage. If necessary, a stent can be inserted at the same time to widen the blockage.

Not all of these tests are suitable for everyone. Your doctor will decide which test is best for you based on your symptoms and condition.

What are the treatments for heart disease?

Treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of your heart disease. Sometimes lifestyle changes are enough. Some people need to take medication. Others need surgery or other medical procedures.

• Lifestyle changes : This is the most important thing.
• Eating a diet low in saturated fats.
• Complete cessation of the use of tobacco products.
• Starting a daily exercise routine like walking.
• Taking medication :
• You can take medication to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
• There are medications that can help with heart failure or abnormal heartbeats.
• The most important thing is to take this medicine exactly as the doctor says, at the right time and in the right dosage.
• Surgeries or medical procedures :
• Sometimes open-heart surgery ( e.g. bypass surgery) may be necessary.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery ( Surgery performed through a small incision).
• Ablation : A procedure that "blows away" areas of the heart that are causing abnormal electrical signals.
• There are also things like catheter procedures, stent placement , and cardioversion (giving an electrical shock to correct the heart rhythm).
• Participating in a Cardiac Rehab Program : This can be very helpful in strengthening your heart after a heart attack. It involves medically supervised exercise and nutritional advice, along with lifestyle changes.

Are there any side effects or complications of the treatment?

Yes, as with any treatment, heart disease treatments can have some side effects or complications.

• Medications : Many medications can have minor side effects. For example, blood pressure medications can cause dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. Some cholesterol-lowering medications can cause muscle aches, nausea, and headaches. If you experience any of these, you should tell your doctor .
• Surgeries or procedures : These can carry risks such as bleeding, infection, stroke, and changes in heart rate. But doctors try their best to minimize these risks.

How long does it take to recover after treatment?

This also varies depending on the nature of the surgery or procedure you had. Minor procedures can take a few days to heal. However, minimally invasive surgery can take two to four weeks. Open-heart surgery can take six to twelve weeks (about 3 months) to fully heal.

What can we do to prevent heart disease?

This is the most important part. It is said that "prevention is better than cure." We cannot prevent some types of heart disease (such as those that are inherited). But there are things we can do to reduce our risk of developing many types of heart disease:

• Maintain a healthy weight that suits you.
• If you have other medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, control them well.
• Exercise for at least 30-60 minutes a day, most days of the week. Walking, running, cycling, or swimming are good options.
• Reduce stress. You can engage in things like yoga and meditation.
• Eat a diet low in salt and saturated fat. You can ask your doctor about heart-healthy foods. Eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and foods high in fiber.
• Do not use any tobacco products. If you smoke, quit today.

These things are sometimes hard to do, but they are worth it for your heart.

What to expect when living with heart disease? / How can we take care of ourselves?

Don't assume that your life is over when you are diagnosed with heart disease. With the right medication and lifestyle changes, most people can live a normal, fulfilling life. The most important thing is to get diagnosed early and start treatment without waiting for symptoms to get worse. If you have a common heart condition like coronary artery disease (CAD), you can make a big difference in your health by making changes to your daily routine. Things like cutting back on salt and fat, exercising, and taking your medications exactly as your doctor prescribes.

What are the best times to see a doctor?

• If anyone in your family (mother, father, siblings) has heart disease, ask a doctor if you have other risk factors. If so, you can develop a plan to prevent heart disease.
• If you have any of the heart symptoms mentioned above , see a doctor without delay.

When do you need to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If these symptoms occur suddenly , go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately or call an ambulance (e.g. 1990 Suwaseriya):

• Chest pain, tightness, heaviness, or discomfort (especially if it lasts more than a few minutes, is accompanied by movement, or sweating).
• Sudden loss of consciousness (fainting) .
• Severe difficulty breathing .

Don't wait at home at a time like this. Being even a minute late can be life-threatening.

Important questions to ask your doctor

When you go to see a doctor, don't be afraid to ask questions that are on your mind. Here are some questions you can ask:

• What kind of heart disease do I have?
• Is there a risk that other people in my family will also develop this disease?
• What is the best treatment for me?
• What changes do I need to make in my lifestyle?
• What foods should I eat and what should I not eat?
• What exercises can I do?
• What are the side effects of medication? What should I do if they occur?

The most important things we need to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so, here are the most important things to keep in mind from what we've talked about today:

The heart is an organ that is essential to our lives. Therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of it.

There is no single cause of heart disease, there are different types. The symptoms also vary accordingly.

Don't ignore symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and frequent fatigue.

Things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, an inactive lifestyle, and an unhealthy diet increase the risk of heart disease.

Heart disease can be controlled and prevented with simple lifestyle changes and, if necessary, proper medical treatment.

Don't wait until symptoms appear, seek medical advice early if you have risk factors.

Love your heart. There are many things you can do to keep it healthy. We can all live a healthy life without fear, with awareness! Heart disease, heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart symptoms, heart disease prevention