.

Home | Health | Conditions

Definition Of Heart Disease

By: Juliet Cohen

Heart is a muscle that is about the size of your fist. It pumps blood around your body and beats approximately 70 times a minute. Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. Diseases affecting the heart may be structural or functional. Anything that damages the heart, makes it less efficient, reduces its ability to fill and pump, or decreases the heart’s supply of oxygen will disrupt the coordinated relationship between the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels. Angina affects about 1 in 50 people and, in the UK, there are an estimated 1.2 million people with the condition.

Sometimes it can be mild, and is mistaken for indigestion. Some people have a heart attack without experiencing pain. Cardiomyopathy literally means "heart muscle disease. It is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia and/or sudden cardiac death. Cardiovascular disease is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart. Heart failure can occur in people with coronary heart disease. The heart becomes too weak to pump blood around the body which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, making it increasingly difficult to breath. It affects men more than women. A heart attack occurs when one of the coronary arteries blocks completely. Heart failure can occur in people with coronary heart disease.

Heart Disease Treatment Tips

1. Many different medicines are used to treat coronary heart disease , Mostly aspirin and 'clot-busting' medication.

2. Blood clots in the coronary arteries are a major cause of heart attacks.

3. Anticoagulants, such as warfarin, are sometimes used to stop the blood clotting.

4. Beta blockers are often used to prevent angina, and treat high blood pressure.

5. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are commonly used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure.

6. Anti-arrhythmic medicine is sometimes used to control the rhythm of the heart. important that the correct dosage is taken.

7. Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, strengthen and slow the heartbeat.

8. Laser surgery is a technique that creates channels in the heart to allow blood to flow more easily.

Heart is a muscle that is about the size of your fist. It pumps blood around your body and beats approximately 70 times a minute.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for online medical clinic and skin disorders.

Article Source: http://www.positivearticles.com. PositiveArticles.Com does not vouch for or necessarily endorse the contents of this article.


If you are copying this article for publishing on a website or ezine, please use the "Ezine Ready" button from the righthand menu.



More Articles In This Category

Use XML Icon above to access Conditions articles Via RSS
Sign Up for author account
Home
Submit Articles
Member Login
Guidelines and Terms
Article RSS Feeds
Search This Site
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Articles Blog
Get our free daily e-tips:

-> Self Improvement
-> Diet & Exercise
Web Resources

-> NLP