Daily Trust Sunday

Who gets heart disease?

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Heart disease doesn’t discrimina­te. It’s the leading cause of death for several population­s, including Africans. While heart disease can be deadly, it’s also preventabl­e in most people by simply adopting healthy lifestyle habits early. Heart disease encompasse­s a wide range of cardiovasc­ular problems. Several diseases and conditions fall under the umbrella of heart disease. Types of heart disease include: Arrhythmia; a heart rhythm abnormalit­y. Atheroscle­rosis; a hardening of the arteries. Heart infections; caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Cardiomyop­athy; the heart’s muscles to harden or grow weak.

Congenital heart defects; are heart irregulari­ties that are present at birth.

Coronary artery disease (CAD); is caused by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries.

The symptoms of heart disease differs from lightheade­dness to racing heartbeat, slow pulse, chest pain, a feeling of pressure or squeezing in the chest among other symptoms.

Each type of heart disease is caused by something entirely unique to that condition which could be either diabetes, herbal remedies, high blood pressure (hypertensi­on), excessive alcohol /caffeine and substance abuse. Other heart defect causes could occur while a baby is still developing in the womb, or by some bacteria, parasites and viruses.

Treatment for heart disease depends on the type of heart disease. Treatment falls into three main categories: Lifestyle changes Healthy lifestyle choices can help you prevent heart disease. They can also help you treat the condition and prevent it from getting worse. Your diet is one of the first areas you may seek to change. A low-sodium, lowfat diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables may help you lower your risk for heart disease complicati­ons. One example is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertensi­on (DASH) diet. Likewise, getting regular exercise and quitting tobacco can help treat heart disease. Also, look to reduce your alcohol consumptio­n. Medication­s A medication may be necessary to treat certain types of heart disease. Your doctor can prescribe a medication that can either cure or control your heart disease. Medication­s may also be prescribed to slow or stop the risk for complicati­ons. The exact drug you’re prescribed depends on the type of heart disease Surgery or invasive procedures In some cases of heart disease, surgery or a medical procedure is necessary to treat the condition and prevent worsening symptoms.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/

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