Question

Compare and contrast common cardiovascular conditions: causes, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, and treatments.

Answer 1

Ans) CVD comprises many different types of condition. Some of these might develop at the same time or lead to other conditions or diseases within the group.

Diseases and conditions that affect the heart include:

- angina, a type of chest pain that occurs due to decreased blood flow into the heart
- arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm
- congenital heart disease, in which a problem with heart function or structure is present from birth
- coronary artery disease, which affects the arteries that feed the heart muscle
- heart attack, or a sudden blockage to the heart's blood flow and oxygen supply
- heart failure, wherein the heart cannot contract or relax normally
- dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart failure, in which the heart gets larger and cannot pump blood efficiently.
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscle walls thicken and problems with - relaxation of the muscle, blood flow, and electrical instability develop
- mitral regurgitation, in which blood leaks back through the mitral valve of the heart during contractions
- mitral valve prolapse, in which part of the mitral valve bulges into the left atrium of the heart while it contracts, causing mitral regurgitation
- pulmonary stenosis, in which a narrowing of the pulmonary artery reduces blood flow from the right ventricle (pumping chamber to the lungs) to the pulmonary artery (blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs)
aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the heart valve that can cause blockage to blood flow leaving the heart
- atrial fibrillation, an irregular rhythm that can increase the risk of stroke
- rheumatic heart disease, a complication of strep throat that causes inflammation in the heart and which can affect the function of heart valves
- radiation heart disease, wherein radiation to the chest can lead to damage to the heart valves and blood vessels.

Causes:

Many types of CVD occur as a complication of atherosclerosis.

- Damage to the circulatory system can also result from diabetes and other health conditions, such as a virus, an inflammatory process such as myocarditis, or a structural problem present from birth (congenital heart disease).

- CVD often results from high blood pressure, which produces no symptoms. It is therefore vital that people undergo regular screening for high blood pressure.

Clinical manifestation:

Symptoms will vary depending on the specific condition. Some conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension, may initially cause no symptoms at all.

However, typical symptoms of an underlying cardiovascular issue include:

- pain or pressure in the chest, which may indicate angina
- pain or discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, -elbows, jaw, or back
- shortness of breath
- nausea and fatigue
- lightheadedness or dizziness
- cold sweats

Diagnostic tests:

Besides blood tests and a chest X-ray, tests to diagnose heart disease can include:

- Electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG records these electrical signals and can help your doctor detect irregularities in your heart's rhythm and structure. You may have an ECG while you're at rest or while exercising (stress electrocardiogram).
- Holter monitoring. A Holter monitor is a portable device you wear to record a continuous ECG, usually for 24 to 72 hours. Holter monitoring is used to detect heart rhythm irregularities that aren't found during a regular ECG exam.
- Echocardiogram. This noninvasive exam, which includes an ultrasound of your chest, shows detailed images of your heart's structure and function.
- Stress test. This type of test involves raising your heart rate with exercise or medicine while performing heart tests and imaging to check how your heart responds.
- Cardiac catheterization. In this test, a short tube (sheath) is inserted into a vein or artery in your leg (groin) or arm. A hollow, flexible and longer tube (guide catheter) is then inserted into the sheath. Aided by X-ray images on a monitor, your doctor threads the guide catheter through that artery until it reaches your heart.

The pressures in your heart chambers can be measured, and dye can be injected. The dye can be seen on an X-ray, which helps your doctor see the blood flow through your heart, blood vessels and valves to check for abnormalities.

- Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan. This test is often used to check for heart problems. In a cardiac CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine. An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and collects images of your heart and chest.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For this test, you lie on a table inside a long tube-like machine that produces a magnetic field. The magnetic field produces pictures to help your doctor evaluate your heart.

Treatment
The treatment option that is best for a person will depend on their specific type of CVD.

However, some options include:

- medication, such as to reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol, improve blood flow, or regulate heart rhythm
- surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting or valve repair or replacement surgery
- cardiac rehabilitation, including exercise prescriptions and lifestyle counseling.

Treatment aims to:

- relieve symptoms
- reduce the risk of the condition or disease recurring or getting worse
prevent complications, such as hospital admission, heart failure, stroke, heart attack, or death
Depending on the condition, a healthcare provider may also seek to stabilize heart rhythms, reduce blockages, and relax the arteries to enable a better flow of blood.