It is important to pay attention to your body and notice the signs it is giving you since most heart diseases can be effectively treated if detected early on. If you have a history of heart disease in your family, you are potentially at risk and should lead a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to seek emergency medical attention if you have these symptoms- Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and fainting.

Take note of the following risk factors associated with developing heart disease-   

• • Family history 
  • Aging
  • Smoking
  • Poor diet
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Stress
  • Chemotherapy or radiation

• • Heart failure- When your heart is unable to pump enough blood for your body’s requirements, the heart fails to operate properly. There are several diseases like heart defects, cardiovascular diseases, heart infections, cardiomyopathy, and such which can result in heart failure.
  • Heart attack- A heart attack is caused by a clot that blocks the flow of blood, causing damage to heart muscles. 
  • Stroke- When the arteries to your brain are blocked and the blood can’t reach the brain, your body goes through a stroke. This is considered a medical emergency as brain tissue starts dying without blood flow.
  • Aneurysm- Internal bleeding caused by a bulge in the wall of an artery in your body is called an aneurysm. 
  • Peripheral artery disease- This is caused when extremities of our body, generally legs don’t receive enough blood flow and can cause leg pain ranging from mild to severe. 

Sudden cardiac arrest- Unexpected loss of breathing, consciousness, and heart function caused by a lethal heart arrhythmia is called a sudden cardiac arrest. If not treated immediately, it will lead to death.

• • Eat a healthy, low salt and a low sugar diet. 
  • Exercise for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.
  • Maintain a healthy BMI
  • Quit smoking
  • Control risky health conditions like high BP, cholesterol, and diabetes. 
  • Reduce stress

• • Blood tests- There are several blood tests required in diagnosing a heart condition. Some of the ones generally performed are- Cholesterol test, C-reactive protein test, Lipoprotein (a), Plasma ceramides, B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP), Troponin T, and such. 
  • ECGs- An ECG is used in detecting irregularities in the heart’s rhythm. 
  • Holter monitoring- It includes a device that is to be worn for 24 to 74 hours to continuously record ECG.
  • Echocardiogram- It is an ultrasound of your chest which provides details about the heart’s structure.
  • Stress test- This test involves monitoring your heart’s response to elevated heart rate. 
  • Cardiac catheterization- This involves a dye being released in your blood stream which is visible on an x-ray, this lets doctors monitor blood flow in your heart and check for abnormalities. 
  • Computerized tomography scan- More commonly known as CT scan, is used in mapping your heart and chest.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging- An MRI uses a magnetic field produced images to help the doctor in evaluating your heart. 

The treatment for any specific disease varies and can either be treated by any one of the following or a combination of them. 

• • Lifestyle changes- Eating a low-sodium and low-sugar diet is highly recommended to patients suffering from any kind of heart disease. Getting moderate-level exercise and good sleep is also encouraged by doctors. It is also advisable to limit the intake of alcohol and completely quit smoking.
  • Medicine- Medicines are prescribed only if the lifestyle changes are not proving to be effective or the condition is serious enough that lifestyle changes alone will not be able to tackle it. The type of medication depends on the type of disease, for instance, antibiotics are prescribed in the case of heart infections. 
  • Medical procedure- Doctors recommend surgery or other specific procedures to patients who are critical and have heart damage. A procedure is subject to vary in accordance with the disease. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common type of heart disease in the US is Coronary Artery Disease(CAD). This disease is caused by a buildup of plaque made up of cholesterol in the walls of coronary arteries and restricts blood flow to the heart causing a heart attack. The symptoms of CAD include chest wall discomfort or pain, nausea, lightheadedness, cold sweats, shortness of breath, and pain in the shoulders or arms. This disease is generally a result of being overweight, stress unhealthy eating, smoking, and a family history of CAD. The first step in CAD treatment is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, remain physically active, and improve mental health.

Congestive heart failure is a term used to describe the two types of heart failure. The risk of heart failure increases with age and is more prevalent in men than women. The growing presence of health problems and negligence in following a proper diet is resulting in an increase in cases of heart failures. Heart failure is caused when the heart loses its ability to pump the required amount of blood. The presence of coronary disease is amongst the top reasons for heart failure, it can also be caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.  The two types of heart failure are- 

• • Systolic heart failure- When a heart’s ability to contract is decreased and it is unable to pump blood with enough force, therefore the blood coming in from the lungs may back up and cause it to leak inside the lungs. 
  • Diastolic heart failure- When a heart is not able to relax properly, it is unable to fill the heart with the required amount of blood. This causes fluid accumulation in lower parts of our body such as feet, ankle, and legs, and may also cause congestion in the lungs. 

The exact reason for this condition is unknown, but here is a list of suspected causes-

• • If anyone in the first-degree family has a congenital heart defect, the chances are high that it will be passed down to the child.  
  • Intake of medications like thalidomide, lithium, isotretinoin, statins during pregnancy can risk the development of heart disorders. 
  • Smoking and drinking during pregnancy significantly increase the chances of the child being born with a heart defect. 
  • Contracting viral infections in the first trimester of pregnancy can also cause abnormalities in the baby. 
  • An increase in blood sugar levels during pregnancy can also result in a baby being born with congenital heart defects.
  • The deficiency of vitamin B and folic acid in expecting mothers can also be a cause.