Complications of heart disease

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on October 29, 2024
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Heart disease is a very common illness in our daily lives. What are the complications of heart disease? The category of heart diseases is broad; here we will discuss some common ones, such as coronary heart disease. Patients with coronary heart disease are prone to develop heart failure, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, or atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation often leads to complications like thrombosis. For instance, a dislodged thrombus can cause a cerebral infarction, resulting in symptoms like hemiplegia, weakness in one side of the body, and speech disturbances. Additionally, certain severe myocardial diseases can lead to malignant arrhythmias, causing sudden death in patients, which is often very serious.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What is heart disease?

Heart disease is caused by various factors that invade the heart, resulting in the loss of its normal physiological functions. Common causes of heart disease include rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, viral myocarditis, coronary artery disease, and pulmonary heart disease. These diseases are considered organic heart diseases, caused by various reasons that lead to pathological changes in the heart's muscles, valves, etc., losing the heart's normal ability to pump blood and supply the body with blood.

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Written by Xiao Chang Jiang
Cardiology
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Early symptoms of heart disease

How is heart disease diagnosed? What are its early symptoms? Actually, the concept of heart disease is very broad as it includes many diseases related to the heart. Generally, it refers to problems with the structure or function of the heart, or its inability to perform its pumping function. Its early symptoms can include chest tightness, chest pain, or a crushing feeling after activity, and some may even radiate to the back or the inside of the arms, even involving the shoulders, presenting symptoms like increased heart rate, palpitations, tinnitus, and breathing difficulties. All these are related to heart disease. But how can we determine what kind of heart disease it is? We believe that the first step is to visit a hospital for tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG), ambulatory ECGs, exercise stress tests, and other imaging tests including coronary CT and even coronary angiography. Of course, some biochemical tests are also necessary, such as myocardial enzymes, troponins, myoglobins, brain natriuretic peptides, immunological and biological tests, which all help to determine the nature of the heart disease. In summary, we must pay special attention to heart disease, and once these symptoms appear, we should seek medical attention promptly and early.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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How do you get heart disease?

There are many causes of heart disease, the most common being coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, which is due to long-term hyperlipidemia leading to arteriosclerosis. After the coronary arteries harden, the lumen narrows, resulting in insufficient myocardial blood supply and the onset of coronary heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease occurs when the body is infected with streptococcus and does not receive adequate treatment, leading to an abnormal immune response that attacks the heart valves, causing valve damage. Pulmonary heart disease is caused by long-term insufficient ventilation leading to emphysema, and pulmonary hypertension increases the resistance on the heart, causing right ventricular hypertrophy.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Rheumatic heart disease etiology

Rheumatic heart disease is a type of organic heart disease, often caused by an abnormal immune response following a streptococcal infection, which affects the heart valves, resulting in valvular lesions, leading to stenosis or insufficiency, and posing significant risks to human health, severely impacting physical well-being. To prevent the occurrence of rheumatic heart disease, it is essential to actively control streptococcal infections, commonly including tonsillitis and upper respiratory tract infections. When a streptococcal infection occurs, effective antibiotics should be actively used to control the infection and reduce the incidence of rheumatic heart disease.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What should be noted for rheumatic heart disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is caused by valvular pathology and often affects heart function. It is important to rest regularly, avoid overexertion, wear more clothing to prevent colds, and avoid exposure to cold winds. Each occurrence of a cold can exacerbate rheumatic heart disease. Dietary attention should focus on easily digestible, high-nutrient foods. Avoid consuming spicy and greasy foods, as they can lead to indigestion and gastrointestinal irritation, which can worsen symptoms of heart disease and increase the cardiac burden, bringing about adverse factors for the patient.