Heart Disease

Heart diseases, heart conditions, or cardiovascular diseases, are those that directly affect the heart and its blood vessels, impairing their function. These are very common conditions, being the leading cause of death and hospitalization in Western countries.

Depending on when they manifest, heart diseases can be classified as:

• Congenital heart diseases: present from birth, due to abnormal heart development in the womb.
• Acquired heart diseases: develop after birth due to various factors.

According to the affected area, types of cardiovascular diseases include:

• Coronary artery disease: diseases of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, which hinder or block blood flow to the heart.
• Cardiomyopathies: conditions affecting the heart muscle (myocardium) that cause it to weaken, thicken, or become rigid.
• Valvular heart disease: disorders of the heart valves that prevent them from closing or opening properly, thus altering the flow of blood into or out of the heart.
• Endocarditis: inflammation of the endocardium, the membrane that lines the heart chambers and the surface of the valves.
• Arrhythmias: heart rhythm disorders. It can slow down (bradycardia) or speed up (tachycardia).

Symptoms

Each specific condition manifests differently. However, there are certain common symptoms in the most common heart diseases:

• Angina: discomfort, pressure, or pain in the chest that may extend to the neck, arms, abdomen, and back.
• Shortness of breath.
• Weakness and fatigue, especially during physical activity.
• Pain, numbness, and cold in the extremities.
• Dizziness and fainting.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet.
• Persistent cough.
• Heart murmur: a whistling sound in the heart.

Severe congenital heart conditions, in turn, present specific symptoms in newborns:

• Cyanosis: bluish color of the skin or lips.
• Swelling in the legs, abdomen, or around the eyes.
• Shortness of breath during breastfeeding.
• Poor weight gain.

Causes

Each type of heart disease has its own causes:

• Arterial heart diseases: caused by the accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the arterial walls. This leads to narrowing of the arteries, blocking or hindering blood flow.
• Cardiomyopathies: arise from other conditions affecting the heart, such as amyloidosis, hypertension, inflammatory infections, or connective tissue disorders. They can also be hereditary, and in some cases, the cause is unknown.
• Valvular heart disease: may be congenital (present from birth) or acquired. Acquired valvular diseases can result from heart infections, fibrosis, rheumatic fever, or valvular degeneration due to calcification caused by aging.
• Endocarditis: inflammation caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
• Arrhythmias: arrhythmias not caused by congenital conditions or other cardiovascular diseases are often due to the consumption of stimulants, certain medications, and high stress levels.
• Congenital heart disease: heart malformations result from mutations in DNA. These mutations can be inherited from parents or occur spontaneously during embryonic development.

Risk Factors

There are several factors that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease:

• Age: aging favors the degeneration of tissues and blood vessels.
• Gender: these diseases are more common in men.
• Family history.
• Smoking: damages the arteries and hinders and slows down blood flow.
• Diet high in fats, salt, sugar, and cholesterol.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Hypertension.
• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Stress.

Complications

Cardiovascular diseases can have very serious consequences for the patient. The reduced blood flow caused by narrowing of the arteries prevents the heart from pumping adequately, which can lead to heart failure. Furthermore, if a clot completely obstructs blood flow, a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, may occur, which can be fatal. The same process can happen in one of the arteries going to the brain, leading to a stroke, which can permanently damage the brain. Arrhythmias, in turn, can result in sudden, fatal cardiac arrest.

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent acquired heart diseases is to promote a healthy lifestyle and undergo regular check-ups, especially after a certain age:

• Follow a diet low in salt, sugar, and saturated fats.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid tobacco.
• Control weight.
• Reduce stress.
• Rest and sleep enough.
• Regularly monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels.

Which doctor treats heart disease?

Heart conditions are evaluated and treated by specialists in cardiology, cardiovascular medicine, and cardiovascular surgery, and the follow-up for some of these processes may also be managed by family medicine specialists. These conditions are often detected in the check-up unit.