Risks Factors that Increases of Cardiovascular Disease - Heart Specialist in Houston

The term "heart disease" is often used interchangeably with the term "cardiovascular disease." Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart's muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.

Heart disease, such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease, is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.

Coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, heart attack -- each type of heart problem requires different treatment but may share similar warning signs. It is important to see your doctor so that you can receive a correct diagnosis and prompt treatment.

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked by a blood clot. If this clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die. The doctor will advise you of medications and lifestyle changes according to how badly the heart was damaged and what degree of heart disease caused the heart attack.

Types of Heart Diseases and Common Cardiovascular Conditions:

Rheumatic HEART DISEASE: Caused by one or more attacks of rheumatic fever, which then do damage to the heart, particularly the heart valves.

Hypertensive Heart Disease: High blood pressure of unknown origin (primary hypertension) or caused by (secondary hypertension) certain specific diseases or infections, such as tumor in the adrenal glands, damage to or disease of the kidneys or their blood vessels.

Ischemic Heart Disease: Heart ailments caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries and therefore a decreased blood supply to the heart.

Cerebrovascular Disease: Disease pertaining to the blood vessels in the brain. A Cerebrovascular accident or stroke is the result of an impeded blood supply to some part of the brain.

Inflammatory Heart Disease: Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), the membrane sac (pericarditis) which surrounds the heart, the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis) or the myocardium (heart muscle). Inflammation may be caused by known toxic or infectious agents or by an unknown origin.

Valvular Heart Disease: The heart’s valves keep blood flowing through the heart in the right direction.  But a variety of conditions can lead to valvular damage.  Valves may narrow (stenosis), leak (regurgitation or insufficiency) or not close properly (prolapse).

Aneurysm: Aneurysm can occur because of high blood pressure or a weak spot in a blood vessel wall. Aneurysms can occur in arteries in any location in your body. The most common sites include the abdominal aorta and the arteries at the base of the brain.

Atherosclerosis: In atherosclerosis the walls of your arteries become thick and stiff because of the buildup of fatty deposits. The fatty deposits are called plaques. When this happens, the flow of blood is restricted. In the arteries of the heart it is known as coronary artery disease, in the legs, peripheral arterial disease. Atherosclerosis happens over a period of time and its consequences can be grave and include heart attack and stroke.

Peripheral Arterial Disease: PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing and / or blockage of the blood vessels in the legs. 

Angina: Angina manifests as pain in the chest those results from reduced blood supply to the heart (ischemia).

Coronary Artery Disease: Also known as ischemic heart disease. It is caused by atherosclerosis, that is the narrowing and / or blockage of the blood vessels that supply the heart.

Coronary Heart Disease: It refers to the disease of the arteries to the heart and their resulting complications, such as angina, heart attacks and heart failure.

Heart Attack: A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when the heart’s supply of blood is stopped.

Stroke: A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. This can happen either when a blood vessel in the brain or neck is blocked or bursts.

Transient Ischemic Attacks: Just as stroke occurs when the flow of blood is blocked, TIAs happen when there is a brief blockage.

Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle. One of the most common types of cardiomyopathy is idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart is enlarged. Other types include ischemic, loss of heart muscle; dilated, heart enlarged; hypertrophic, heart muscle is thickened.

Pericardial Disease: The sac that encases the heart is called the pericardium and it can be affected by a variety of conditions such as inflammation (pericarditis), fluid accumulation (pericardial effusion) and stiffness (constrictive pericarditis). The etiology of these conditions varies.

Congenital Heart Disease: Congenital heart disease is when you are born with malformations of the heart’s structures.

Heart Failure: Heart failure is a chronic condition that happens when the heart’s muscle becomes too damaged to adequately pump the blood around your body.

Types of Surgeries to Treat Heart Disease:

There are different surgeries for the heart and blood vessels. These include:

Angioplasty: This opens a blocked vessel by using a balloon-like device at an artery's narrowest point. The doctor may also insert a stent, which is a tiny, stainless steel tube that props the vessel open and makes sure it stays clear.

Atherectomy: This involves cutting the plaque out of an artery, so blood can flow freely.

Bypass surgery: This involves taking part of an artery or vein from another part of the body (like the arm or leg) and using it to channel blood around a blocked area in an artery.

Pacemakers: A pacemaker is a small electronic device that's put inside the body to regulate the heartbeat.

Valve Replacement: If a heart valve is damaged or isn't working, a surgeon can replace it.

Carotid Endarterectomy: During this procedure, a surgeon removes plaque deposits from the carotid artery to prevent a stroke.

What Increases the Risks of Cardiovascular Disease?

A risk factor is something that that increases your likelihood of getting a disease. There are several risk factors for CVD, including:

·         Smoking

·         Diabetes

·         Ethnic background

·         High blood pressure

·         High blood cholesterol

·         Being physically inactive

·         Being overweight or obese

·         Family history of heart disease

·         Age - the older you are, the more likely you are to develop CVD.

·         Gender - men are more likely to develop CVD at an earlier age than women.

The more risk factors you have, the higher your risk of developing CVD. And even though you can’t change all your risk factors, there is plenty you can do to reduce your risk and help to protect your heart.

Advanced Cardiovascular Care Center will provide the highest standard of excellence in Cardiovascular Care while exemplifying our ideals of customized patient care. Our goal is that of achieving superior patient satisfaction in every aspect of services given. We, Heart Doctors in Houston perceive our organization as a team working towards one common goal, that of our patients’ good health and well being. To that end, we pledge our services.

Seek counsel from renowned Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Annie Varughese, if you suspect you are suffering from any signs or symptoms of heart disease for the best treatment options for you.

Schedule an Appointment: www.advancedcardiodr.com |Call: +1 281-866-7701.