Heart Diseases

Heart disease affects roughly 18 million people in the US alone. There are nearly 50 types of heart disease and each one is deadly in its own right. It is the No. 1 leading cause of death and is responsible for 16% of total deaths. It has had the biggest increase in mortality since 2000, killing nearly 9 million people in 2019. In this article, the details of the two most common types of heart disease will be covered.

High Blood Pressure - Hypertension

Hypertension is often described as the "silent killer" because many individuals are unaware they even have it. It affects one in every three Americans. It kills more than 7.5 million people during a year and is one of the most common types of heart disease. It’s hidden nature makes it one of the most dangerous heart diseases. Unfortunately, unless it is managed, the stress placed on the heart and arteries by hypertension can lead to heart attacks . The best thing that can be done is to monitor the blood pressure on a routine basis, especially if it runs in the family. Diabetes, smoking, overeating, and other such problems could also jeopardize the health of the blood vessels which could lead to hypertension.

CHD

CHD, also known as coronary artery disease, arises when the blood valves which carry oxygen become clogged. This usually occurs due to atherosclerosis which is a condition in which lesions resembling plaque form along the walls of a blood vessel. The lesions slowly grown in size which reduce the blood flow to the heart. This causes the heart to work harder and pump faster to rectify this mistake. If one of the lesions explodes, a blood clot occurs, which deprives the heart from its nutrients, blood and oxygen. This causes the heart muscle to die, and if not treated immediately, the individual suffering from the attack will also die.

How is Heart Disease Treated?

The medication you receive is determined on the type of heart disease you have. In general, care for heart disease starts with changes in lifestyle. These changes include: eating a reduced fat and sodium diet, obtaining at least 60 minutes workout at least 5 days of the week, and no smoking or drinking. If lifestyle modifications alone aren't enough to regulate the heart condition, the doctor may prescribe drugs. The form of treatment that would be given would be dictated by the type of heart condition. If drugs are ineffective, the doctor may propose certain treatments or surgery. The sort of operation or surgery will be determined by the type of heart disease and the level of heart damage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, heart disease is a dangerous disease that is one of the main diseases in the modern world. Heart diseases can cause extensive damage and come in all types. The number of cases of heart disease has increased over the course of the decade and it is speculated to increase even further. Identifying a heart disease in the right time is the most important thing to do to retain function of the body.