AUGUST IS ADULT HEART DISEASE MONTH
by Phillips Clinic on 11/24/21
What are the different types of heart disease?
Arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm abnormality.
Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries.
Cardiomyopathy. ...
Congenital heart defects. ...
Coronary artery disease (CAD). ...
Heart infections.
What Causes Heart Disease
High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease.
Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including:
Diabetes. Overweight and obesity.
What Are the Signs of An Unhealthy Heart
Chest Discomfort. It's the most common sign of heart danger. ...
Nausea, Indigestion, Heartburn, or Stomach Pain. ...
Pain that Spreads to the Arm. ...
You Feel Dizzy or Lightheaded. ...
Throat or Jaw Pain. ...
You Get Exhausted Easily. ...
Snoring/Sleep Apnea
Sweating.
Diagnosing Heart Disease
A number of different tests are used to diagnose heart-related problems, including:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Exercise stress tests.
X-rays.
Echocardiogram.
Blood tests
Coronary angiography
Radionuclide tests
MRI scans
Carotid ultrasound
Holter monitor
Treatments for Heart Disease
Lifestyle changes, including heart healthy diet, weight loss, getting regular exercise and smoking cessation.
If lifestyle changes alone aren't enough, your doctor may prescribe medications to control your heart disease.
Medications can include
Blood-thinning medicines
Blood thinners are a type of medicine that can help reduce the risk of a heart attack by thinning your blood and preventing it clotting.
If you have high cholesterol, cholesterol-lowering medicine called statins may be prescribed.Statins work by blocking the formation of cholesterol and increasing the number of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors in the liver.
This helps remove LDL cholesterol from your blood, which makes a heart attack less likely.
Not all statins are suitable for everyone, so you may need to try several different types until you find one that's suitable.
Beta blockers
Beta blockers, including atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol and nebivolol, are often used to prevent angina and treat high blood pressure.
They work by blocking the effects of a particular hormone in the body, which slows down your heartbeat and improves blood flow.
Nitrates
Nitrates are used to widen your blood vessels. Doctors sometimes refer to nitrates as vasodilators.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
ACE inhibitors are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Examples include ramipril and lisinopril.
They block the activity of a hormone called angiotensin-2, which causes the blood vessels to narrow.
As well as stopping the heart working so hard, ACE inhibitors improve the flow of blood around the body.
Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs)
Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors.
They're used to lower your blood pressure by blocking angiotensin-2.
Calcium channel blockers
Calcium channel blockers also work to decrease blood pressure by relaxing the muscles that make up the walls of your arteries.
This causes the arteries to become wider, reducing your blood pressure.
Diuretics
Sometimes known as water pills, diuretics work by flushing excess water and salt from the body.
Questions or concerns. . call to make an appointment with your Phillips Clinic Family Practice provider.
