Common Types of Heart Diseases
According to reports by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. Approximately, 1 in 4 deaths in the United States can be attributed to heart disease. Unfortunately, heart disease does not discriminate and has been a leading cause of death across all populations. Research shows that almost half of the people in the U.S are at risk of heart disease with numbers constantly increasing.
While it can be deadly, it is still preventable. There are many people who have been able to alter the effects of heart disease by adopting healthy lifestyles and new habits. We have compiled a list of the common types of heart diseases and their symptoms to help you make the lifestyle changes that you require. Keep on reading to find out more.
Arrhythmia
This is a disorder that affects the rate of the rhythm of your heartbeat. The electrical impulses are responsible for directing and regulating the heartbeat malfunction. This can cause the heart to beat too fast, slow, prematurely, or erratically. While everyone is susceptible to experiencing a disturbance in their heart rhythm at least once, the problem escalates when this irregular heartbeat affects the blood flow to the body. This can result in a life-threatening condition.
Atherosclerosis
A buildup of plaque can cause the narrowing of the arteries in the body. When this happens, these blood vessels are not able to carry and deliver oxygen from your heart to the rest of your body. Sometimes, you cannot avoid this from happening because the older you get the more cholesterol, calcium, fats and other nutrients can collect in your arteries to form plaque. Unfortunately, this buildup can target any arteries in your body. When there is a shortage of blood and oxygen in the tissues in your body, you may have a stroke, heart attack, or heart failure.
Congenital Heart Defects
This is a heart defect that can affect the heart walls, valves, or blood vessels of newborn babies. These defects can range from mild to severe cases, but overtime CHD support services have improved significantly. Meaning that infants that are affected have a better chance of surviving into adulthood.
Cardiomyopathy
This is a heart disease that can cause the heart muscles to grow weaker, thick, rigid, or larger. Symptoms can include swollen ankles and feet, fatigue, shortness of breath, fatigue with a rapid pulse. It is easy to misunderstand these symptoms as they are common. It is always advisable to seek a professional medical examination if you feel a combination of the listed symptoms.
The Takeaway
It is difficult to narrow down a single cause of heart disease because each type of condition has unique symptoms and characteristics. It is always important to know what signs to look out for to seek medical treatment urgently. While you may think it is a heart condition, but it isn’t, it is always best to be safer than sorry.
