HEART DISEASES
As the World Heart Day is near i.e., on 28th September I felt of writing an article about Heart.
Some people in general fun and emotional conditions say they have a big heart. But in fact if they really posses a big heart then that condition is called as Cardiomegaly (Enlargement of heart). Some also suffer from hard walls that condition is called hypertrophic cardiomiopathy. Heart diseases are classified into two types they are congenital and acquired.
CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE - It is the condition which is inborn.
LARGE VSD- The wall present in between the two ventricles in called interventricular septum. Hole in this region is called Large Ventricular Septal Defect. In general every new born has a hole in this region which gets closed within 48-72 hours after birth or parturition. So it has not been considered a big problem and this condition is named as small ventricular septal defect. In case this hole doesn’t get closed by natural means within 2 to 3 days, then it can be closed by normal surgery.
TETROLOGY OF FALLOT- They are called blue babies as they are blue in color by birth. It occurs due to obstruction of blood flow from right ventricle to lungs. This causes reduction of blood flow to the lungs leading to a condition called Tetrology of blood flow.
COARCTATION OF AORTA- Aorta is one of the blood vessel which carries blood away from the heart. Narrowing of this blood vessel leads to a condition called coarctation of aorta. This can be treated. But in few new born aorta don’t even get developed. Such condition is called Atresia. The research is still on for the treatment of atresia.
There are also diseases like pulmonary valve stenosis and aortic stenosis. The risk factors for the new born are-
1) Pregnant women who are suffering from Gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy).
2) Pregnant women who are consuming medicine for the treatment of epilepsy or fits (in this the babies are more likely to suffer from valvular disease).
3) Previous babies who are born with heart diseases.
4) Babies who suffer from chromosomal abnormality.
5) Those who are suffering from few autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) (related to rheumatic diseases).
Now coming to Acquired Heart disease. These are the heart diseases which are not inborn or occur after birth.
RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE-Families who are from low socio-economic background and low living standard are at risk of this heart disease. People who suffer from throat pain and tonsils which occur because of streptococcal bacterial infections are at more risk of getting effected.
In medicine there is a famous quote “RHEUMATIC FEVER LICKS THE JOINTS AND BITES THE HEART”. Children who are suffering from rheumatic disorders are at risk of getting heart diseases after they grow up. Even though medicines are used in early stages there is every possibility of surgery in later stages. So people who suffer from throat pain and tonsils are treated with antibiotics, otherwise you never know it may result in adverse effects on heart. Doctors treat patients who suffer from streptococcal infections by giving penicillin injections for a brief period of about 3-5 years. Every month one penicillin injection is given to the patient.
HEART DISEASES BECAUSE OF INFECTIONS- It can occurs to everyone by any means at any point of life. Pericardium, Myocardium or silk lining like endocardium present in the heart, etc can be infected. Sometimes disease like Tuberculosis affects the pericardium of the heart and damages it. At such instances the layer should be removed and this is called Pericardiectomy.
ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASES- It is well known to everyone. It occurs because of blockage of veins which carries blood towards heart. The risk factors are diabetes and High BP. There will be a burning sensation in the heart of effected patient. Along with this there is one more factor which most people don’t notice. Families who have an ischemic heart disease history are at more risk of getting effected. So the offspring’s of the patients should undergo test as early as possible.
CARDIOMYOPATHY- It is a different case. It can be both congenital and acquired. Heart muscles get affected in this.
As the heart muscles are affected there is a decrease in the pumping action of heart. Such conditions are called dilated myopathy.
Because of dilation of the heart muscles there is a reduction in the amount of blood flow to the chambers of heart. This is called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
CONGENITAL CARDIAC FAILURES- In general we throw away our stored documents, files, papers, etc thinking that they are no more useful to us. At that time we don’t see what kind of papers they are. Likewise congenital, acquired or something else which leads to heart failure, such conditions are called congestive cardiac failures.
Today due to recent advancement in medical field almost every heart disease can be treated. So patients suffering from heart disease or heart related disorder need to worry about it.
Those who are suffering from Diabetes and Blood pressure should try to keep them in normal level. Moreover doing regular exercise, maintaining body weight, eating healthy vegetables, avoiding consumption of fat diet and products, avoiding cigarettes and alcohols etc will help us to stay away from heart diseases.