What is heart disease?
Heart disease isn’t a single condition, but a collection of problems that reduce the efficiency of your heart function.
Your heart beats around 100,000 times every day. It does a vital job pumping blood around your body, taking oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and organs in a continuous cycle.
If anything prevents your heart from pumping blood around your body efficiently, you could face serious and potentially life-threatening outcomes.
Heart disease conditions include:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Heart attack
- Heart arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Pericardial disease
- Aorta disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The good news is that many heart problems are preventable and most are treatable.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of heart disease you have. Some typical symptoms of heart disease include:
- Chest pain
- Chest tightness
- Pressure in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Tachycardia (racing heart)
- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Lack of energy
- Tiring easily
- Swelling in the legs
If you’ve noticed symptoms such as these, it’s a good idea to visit Sahni Heart Center for a checkup. If you experience severe chest pain and shortness of breath, you should get urgent medical help.
What causes heart disease?
You might have been born with heart disease, in which case it’s known as congenital heart disease. More commonly, heart disease develops later in life.
One of the leading causes of heart disease is atherosclerosis, where a buildup of fats like cholesterol forms plaque in the arteries that causes narrowing and blockages. Atherosclerosis is mainly caused by your lifestyle, for example:
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
Certain diseases can also increase your risk of developing heart disease, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and connective tissue disorders, as well as some types of infection and exposure to toxins.
How is heart disease treated?
The treatment you get for your heart disease at Sahni Heart Center can vary depending on which condition you have.
If your lifestyle is contributing to your heart disease, a large part of your treatment plan is likely to involve making changes such as losing weight, stopping smoking, getting regular exercise, and eating a healthier diet.
Dr. Sahni might also prescribe medications if you need them, for example, ACE inhibitors to improve blood flow. In some cases, you might require surgery for your heart disease.
Check out your heart health by scheduling a consultation at Sahni Heart Center today, or use the online tool to book an appointment at the Clark, New Jersey, office.
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