Posted on 4th January, 2024 at 11:54:41 PM
The heart however is not always as romantic as it sounds. Each component of the heart has the potential for misbehaviour causing significant illness or even death.
ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE:
This occurs when there is narrowing of the coronary arteries (which supply nutrition to the heart). Narrowing occurs due to deposition of cholesterol and other substances in the wall of the arteries. This may cause chest pain (angina) on exertion.
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (HEART ATTACK):
This occurs when there is complete obstruction to flow of blood in the coronary artery. The segment of the heart muscle supplied by the artery may be permanently damaged.
HEART FAILURE:
This occurs because of the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively resulting in poor nourishment of body organs. Causes are many including high blood pressure, anaemia and diseases of coronary arteries, heart muscles or heart valves.
CARDIAC DYSRHYTHMIA:
Usually results from disease of the electrical circuit of the heart. There may be slowing of heart rate (bradyarrythmia or heart block) or abnormally high heart rate (tachyarrythmia). Palpitation, dizziness or black-out may result.
VALVE DISEASE:
Disease of valve may result from rheumatic fever, birth defects involving the valve, degeneration of the valve as part of aging process or valve infection. The valve may become narrow or leaking or both.
ENDOCARDITIS:
Infection of heart valve.
CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE:
Defect is present since birth, although the manifestation may occur after a variable time interval.
SEPTAL DEFECTS:
Usually congenital. Holes in the walls that partition the heart chambers.
CARDIOMYOPATHY:
Disease of heart muscles which may cause heart failure.
PERICARDIAL DISEASES:
Disease of the sac that surrounds the heart. There may be inflammation of the sac (pericarditis), fluid collection inside the sac (pericardial effusion) or thickening of the sac (constrictive pericarditis).
