Heart Diseases

Heart Disease, also called Cardiac Disease, is a generic term referring to a host of ailments that affect the heart. The umbrella term ‘Heart Diseases’ is a common way to denote various heart problems such as:

• Coronary Heart Disease
• Ischemic Heart Disease
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Cor Pulmonale
• Hereditary Heart Disease
• Hypertensive Heart Disease
• Inflammatory Heart Disease
• Valvular Heart Disease
• Myocardial Infarction or Heart Attack

Does this list make you feel uneasy? Are you one of those kinds who think that Heart Disease is a problem for other people and that you are in the pink of health? Then know that Heart Disease is a killer which claims more lives annually than any other disease. Most of us tend to overlook the symptoms given by our hearts that something is wrong. Young people think that Heart Disease is for the old while older people think that it is for still older folks. In the middle of this nonchalance and indifference, the killer disease strikes you and takes you by surprise. To prevent such calamities always Listen To Your Heart.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

• Discomfort
• Chest or arm pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness and nausea
• Abnormal heartbeats
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Trouble sleeping
• Indigestion
• Anxiety
• Cold sweat
• Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs

If any of the above symptoms linger for days then you better go to a cardiologist and get your heart checked.Thanks to the advanced researches made in the medical field, there are now many diagnostic procedures that help to detect the presence, type and magnitude of Heart Diseases. Some such diagnostic procedures are as follows:

• Cardiac Catheterization
• Computer Imaging / Tomography
• Coronary Angiogram and Angioplasty
• Echocardiogram
• Echocardiography Stress Test
• Electrocardiogram
• Electrocardiograph Tests
• Radiographic Tests
• Ultrasound Tests

All is not lost if you are diagnosed with Heart Disease. There are a number of treatments available for Cardiac ailments which will help you lead a normal life despite having Heart Disease. The following are some of the treatments of Heart Disease:

• Ablation
• Angioplasty
• Bypass Surgery
• Cardiomyoplasty
• Catheterization
• Defibrillation/Cardio version
• Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP)
• Heart Transplantation
• Heart Valve Replacement
• Maze Procedure (Cox-Maze Procedure)
• Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
• Open Heart Surgery
• Pacemakers
• Pericardiocentesis (Pericardial Tap)

Besides these treatments which involve surgery, there are many medicinal treatments for Heart Diseases.The basic issue that still remains is How To Prevent Heart Diseases. Some preventive measures are given below:

• Control your blood pressure
• Lower your cholesterol
• Don't smoke
• Get enough exercise
• Eat less organ meats such as liver, kidney, brains, egg yolks, fats like butter, lard and oils, packaged and processed foods
• Eat more fish, poultry and lean meats, fat-free milk, low-fat yogurt, fruits, vegetables, cereals, whole-wheat breads, brown rice, oatmeal

Your Heart is precious. Take good care of it and keep it in great shape.