Heart Disease
Home : : Critical Care Medicine : : Heart Disease
Our Critical Care Medicine
Heart disease refers to any condition affecting the cardiovascular system. There are several different types of heart disease, and they affect the heart and blood vessels in different ways. Heart diseases include:
- Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease
- Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
- Heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects)
- Heart valve disease
- Disease of the heart muscle
- Heart infection
What are the different types of heart disease?
Heart disease encompasses a wide range of cardiovascular problems. Several diseases and conditions fall under the umbrella of heart disease. Types of heart disease include:
- Arrhythmia: An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm abnormality.
- Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries.
- Cardiomyopathy: This condition causes the heart’s muscles to harden or grow weak.
- Congenital heart defects: Congenital heart defects are heart irregularities that are present at birth.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD): CAD is caused by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries. It’s sometimes called ischemic heart disease.
- Heart infections: Heart infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
What are some risk factors for heart disease?
There are many risk factors for heart disease. Some are controllable, and others aren’t. Some of these risk factors include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good” cholesterol
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
How is heart disease diagnosed?
A variety of noninvasive tests may be used to diagnose heart disease.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test can monitor your heart’s electrical activity and help your doctor spot any irregularities.
- Echocardiogram: This ultrasound test can give your doctor a close picture of your heart’s structure.
- Stress test: This exam is performed while you complete a strenuous activity, such as walking, running, or riding a stationary bike. During the test, your doctor can monitor your heart’s activity in response to changes in physical exertion.
- Carotid ultrasound: To get a detailed ultrasound of your carotid arteries, your doctor may order this ultrasound test.
- Holter monitor: Your doctor may ask you to wear this heart rate monitor for 24 to 48 hours. It allows them to get an extended view of your heart’s activity.
- CT scan: This imaging test gives your doctor a highly-detailed X-ray image of your heart.
- Heart MRI: Like a CT scan, a heart MRI can provide a very detailed image of your heart and blood vessels.
Tips for Preventing Heart Disease
The following lifestyle changes can help treat and prevent heart disease:
- Eat a healthy diet: Maintaining a heart healthy diet is key for preventing heart disease. Foods to focus on include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, and nuts.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity has numerous benefits, including strengthening your heart and improving circulation. We suggest at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five days a week, or at least 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity three days a week in addition to moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity two days a week.
- Control your blood pressure: High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease. Be sure to get tested regularly for high blood pressure. That means once a year for most adults, and more often as directed if your blood pressure is high.
- Keep cholesterol under control: High cholesterol can clog your arteries and raise your risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of heart disease since it raises the risk of other heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Controlling weight through a healthy diet and exercise will help prevent these conditions and lower your risk of heart disease.
- Limit alcohol intake: Too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure and add extra calories to your diet, which can lead to weight gain, both of which increases the risk of heart disease.
- Don’t smoke: If you use tobacco, it is important to quit. If you don’t smoke, it is important not to start. Smoking cigarettes raises your blood pressure and leads to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.