LUNG HEALTH | HEART HEALTH | OTHER PAIN CAUSES | HEALTH | MEDICINE
Heart Problems
Angina - condition that occurs when a part of the heart does not receive enough oxygen due to disease in the coronary arteries (arteries that supply the heart muscle). Angina occurs as a result of one or more clogged coronary arteries that become narrow due to the buildup of cholesterol.
High level of cholesterol can be deposited along artery walls, blocking blood-flow, and leading to disease and sometimes cause permanent heart muscle damage. Arteries can become coated with scar tissue, forming cholesterol-rich bumps in blood vessels known as plaque.
Atheroma is the plaque within artery walls. Atheroma contains a mix of fat, cholesterol, inflammated cells, and fibrous scar tissue and. Artheroma causes atherosclerosis, a gradual buildup and hardening of the artery walls.
Aneurysm is a heart problem that is sometimes present at birth or develops in damaged arteries when the artiery becomes abnormally wide or enlarged from weakness in the wall of a blood vessel. A heart problem like aneurysm is characterized by location. If the problem occurs near the body's surface, it is accompanied with pain, swelling and throbbing. Aneurysms deeper within the body or brain often cause no symptoms until it ruptures.
In an event of an aneurysm ruptures, there is a high risk of death accompanied with severe heart problems like low blood pressure, high heart rate, and lightheadedness may occur. Aneurysm patients who undergo surgery are often completely cured of this heart roblem. There are many different types of aneurysm as this problem can occur in many parts of the body:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm
- Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva
- The major artery from the heart (Aortic aneurysm)
- The brain (cerebral aneurysm)
- Leg behind the knee popliteal artery aneurysm)
- Intestine (mesenteric artery aneurysm)
- Artery in the spleen (Splenic artery aneurysm)
Heart Problem: Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart problem where the heart's two upper chambers beat out of coordination with the two lower chambers of the heart. Arterial fibrillation falls in the category of chest problems where the heart beat is irregular and often rapid, commonly causing poor blood flow to the body. Chest problems related to atrial fibrillation can be cronic or come and go.
Some atrial fibrillation patients may not experience symptoms and are unaware they have this chest problem until accidentally discovered. Common symptoms of arterial fibrillation:
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness and lightheadedness
- Low blood pressure
- Confusion and disorientation
- Shortness of breath
- Racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain