Understanding Different Types Of Heart Diseases

Heart diseases or cardiac diseases are conditions that affect the heart structurally or functionally. There are many types of heart conditions which have various symptoms. Heart diseases are becoming increasingly common nowadays, with many younger adults falling prey to it. Heart diseases today have become prevalent mainly due to stress, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy eating habits. There has been an alarming increase in the incidence of strokes and heart attacks by over 50% within the last two decades. This has become a leading cause of death among adults.

The best cardiologist in Bangalore at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, advises making healthier lifestyle choices, such as eating healthy and exercising regularly to prevent heart diseases and improve health. At the top heart hospital in Bangalore, Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka’s cardiologists provide an all-around evaluation of the heart to identify and treat complex heart conditions using the latest technology and state-of-the-art equipment.

Types of Heart Diseases

Heart diseases refer to a wide array of issues related to the heart. Here are the common types of heart diseases and how to prevent them to improve quality of life:

1. Coronary artery diseases (CAD) and vascular diseases

Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is the most common heart problem in adults. With coronary artery disease, a person may get blockages in the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries), which are responsible for supplying blood to the heart. Such blockages in the arteries can lead to a decrease in the amount of blood flowing through the heart, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the heart for its own needs. In most cases, the condition starts as a result of atherosclerosis, which is a condition of the arteries in which they become hard.

CAD can cause chest pain, known as angina, and even lead to a heart attack. Vascular diseases constitute problems in the blood vessels elsewhere in the body, due to which there can be a reduction in the flow of blood to the heart and affect its function.

1. Arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders

When a person’s heart beats too fast or too slow or doesn’t follow a single pattern of beating, this condition is known as arrhythmia. Heart rhythm disorders can develop due to other heart conditions or even on their own and may disrupt blood flow to the heart. There are many types of heart rhythm disorders, some of which may have no warning signs, while others can be sudden and fatal.

1. Congenital heart disease

Congenital heart diseases occur when there is a developmental anomaly while a fetus is still developing in the womb. In some cases, there can be problems right after birth, while in other cases, there may not be any problem until the affected person becomes an adult. Such congenital heart diseases may include:

• Septal defect

When there is a hole present in between two chambers of the heart, it is a septal or ventricular septal defect. In such a condition, the breathing process of a person may get affected.

• Obstruction defect

This is a condition in which the flow of blood is obstructed or sometimes completely blocked in the various chambers of the heart.

In some babies, a small blood vessel known as ductus arteriosus doesn’t close as well as it should, causing some blood to flow back into the pulmonary artery. This can put a strain on their heart which gets treated by medication or sometimes even surgery.

1. Heart valve disease

The heart contains four chambers, which are separated by valves. When these valves don’t function as well as they should, the flow of blood could get blocked or blood could even leak. Heart valve diseases may occur as a result of congenital defects, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or a heart attack.

1. Myocardial infarction

Heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs as a result of decreased or stoppage of blood flow to one part of the heart. It causes chest pain and discomfort in the shoulder, jaw, neck, arm, and back.

1. Heart failure

With heart failure, the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should to meet the needs of the body. It also usually results from coronary artery diseases but it can also happen if a person has thyroid disease, high blood pressure, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), or certain other conditions affecting the function of the heart.

1. Pericardial disease

The pericardium is the outer covering of the heart, which can also get affected, leading to various diseases. One of the most common diseases is pericarditis or inflammation of the pericardium. It can be caused by viral infection or inflammatory diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

1. Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a condition of the heart muscle, or myocardium, in which it can become thick, stretched, or stiff. This may lead to the weakening of the heart, due to which it may not be able to function as well as it should. Cardiomyopathy may be caused by various factors like genetic heart conditions, reactions to certain drugs or toxins like alcohol, and infections due to viruses.

Preventing Heart Diseases

Most heart diseases can be prevented. If a person has been diagnosed with a heart condition, there are many ways in which they can reduce the risk of developing more heart problems. Here are some things to consider for good heart health:

• Quit smoking
• Exercise regularly
• Monitor and regulate blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels
• Avoid alcohol
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat percentage, particularly trans fats and saturated fats
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce and manage stress
• Visit a cardiologist or a primary care doctor when already diagnosed with a heart condition for regular monitoring of health

Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, the best cardiology hospital in Bangalore has India’s most eminent cardiologists and cardiac surgeons who deliver supreme quality of cardiologic management services for comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiological conditions supported by state-of-the-art facilities and medical equipment. If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition or suspect you may have one, consult with our expert cardiologists today.