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Information On
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a broad term that includes several more specific heart
conditions. The most common heart condition in the United States is coronary
heart disease, which can lead to heart attack and other serious conditions.
Information on Heart Disease:
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
CHD is the most common type of
heart disease. CHD occurs when the coronary arteries, that supply blood to the
heart muscle, become hardened and narrowed due to the plaque buildup. The plaque
buildup and the narrowing and hardening of the arteries is called
atherosclerosis. Plaques are a mixture of fatty substances including cholesterol
and other lipids. Blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart can be reduced or
even fully blocked with a growing plaque. Plaques may also rupture and cause
blood clots that block arteries.
CHD can lead to a heart attack. Angina can also occur. Angina is chest pain or
discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle is not getting enough blood. Over
time, CHD can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure, a serious
problem where the heart cannot pump blood the way that it should. Also,
irregular heart beats, called arrhythmias, can develop.
The most common symptom of CHD is angina. In some people the first sign of CHD
is a heart attack.
Heart Attack
A heart attack is also called a myocardial infarction. If the blood supply to
the heart is severely reduced or completely blocked, heart muscle cells may not
receive enough oxygen and begin to die. The more time that passes without
treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. This
damage can cause irregular heart rhythms or even sudden cardiac arrest or
stopping of the heart beat. Death can result. Coronary artery disease is the
chief underlying cause of a heart attack. A less common cause of a heart attack
is a severe spasm of a coronary artery that reduces the blood supply to the
heart.
When a person is having a heart attack, emergency care is needed that may
include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), electrical shock (called
defibrillation), and other advanced emergency medical care. Emergency medical
personnel and doctors can quickly perform emergency treatment and transport the
person to the hospital. Bystanders might also be trained to perform CPR and to
use an automated external defibrillator, if one is available, until emergency
medical personnel arrive. Once at the hospital, doctors can perform several
tests to quickly determine if the person is having or has had a heart attack and
the best course of action to restore blood flow.
Other Conditions and Information On Heart Disease:
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Angina
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Acute Coronary Syndrome
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Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection
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Arrhythmias
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Cardiomyopathy
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Congenital Heart Disease
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Heart Failure
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Peripheral Arterial Disease
(PAD)
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Rheumatic Heart Disease
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