Cyanotic Heart Disease

What Is Cyanotic Heart Disease?

Cyanotic heart disease is a congenital condition that impairs blood flow to and from the lungs. As a result, blood that gets pumped through the body contains an insufficient amount of oxygen. The most obvious characteristic of cyanotic heart disease is a bluish tint to the lips and skin, a clear sign that there is not enough oxygen in the bloodstream. Many cases of cyanotic heart disease are mild and can be treated with surgery and medications. More severe problems may necessitate a heart transplant to prevent fatal complications.

Congenital Heart Disease

What Is Congenital Heart Disease?

Congenital heart disease includes any type of heart defect or malfunctioning heart problem that is present at birth. These diseases arise during fetal development, and may be due to a wide variety of causes. There are many different forms of congenital heart disease which may vary greatly in severity, condition management, and treatment options.

Although it is not known for certain what causes congenital heart disease, certain issues are believed to contribute to the likelihood of a heart condition developing in a fetus. Some medical experts believe that some conditions may develop as a result of a viral infection during the pregnancy. Genetic factors may also be a source of congenital disease, although this concept is still not completely confirmed. Many medical experts also believe that smoking, drinking, and drug abuse can inhibit fetal development in a variety of ways and may be a contributing factor to congenital heart disease.

What Is Rheumatic Heart Disease?

What Is Rheumatic Heart Disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition that can take place when an individual experiences recurring episodes of rheumatic fever. Normally, the condition involves the development of scar tissue in the heart valves, as well as changes in the myocardium. Both these changes to the heart can make it more difficult for the organ to pump blood efficiently, which in turn places additional stress on the heart.

In order to understand how rheumatic heart disease comes about, it is important to know what happens when the individual experiences an episode of rheumatic fever. The fever itself is an inflammatory disease that manifests itself as strep in the throat. The infection in the throat can work through the connective tissue in the body, eventually making its way to the joints, the skin, and even the heart and the brain. The best known treatment for rheumatic fever is the use of antibiotics to kill the infection.

What Are the Main Diseases of the Circulatory System?

What Are the Main Diseases of the Circulatory System?

More than 60 American suffer from diseases of the circulatory system, which include atherosclerosis, rheumatic heart disease, arrhythmia, aneurysm, and high blood pressure. Diseases that disrupt the circulatory system affect the heart and blood vessels, as well as other tissues and organs of the human body. A person of any age or race may suffer from diseases of the circulatory system, and these diseases are potentially life threatening.

One of the most common diseases of the circulatory system is atherosclerosis. This disorder occurs when fatty deposit called plaque forms on the inner walls of the blood vessels. The buildup of plaque may be caused by fat, cholesterol, and calcium. Atherosclerosis causes the arteries to narrow, which in turn causes organs of the body to be deprived or even obstructed of blood flow.

Ischemic Heart Disease

What is Ischemic Heart Disease?

Ischemic heart disease is the medical term for a condition many of us know informally as coronary artery disease. This condition, though treatable, may be “silent” and cause no noticeable symptoms in some people who have it. In other cases, ischemic heart disease creates uncomfortable symptoms, which is actually a good thing since preventative treatment for the condition can begin. Even with treatment available, “silent” cases may not be noticed and can result in sudden death due to massive heart attack or fatal arrhythmias.

What is Congestive Heart Disease?

What is Congestive Heart Disease?

Congestive heart disease is a commonly misapplied term for the condition called congestive heart failure (CHF). When you see the initials CHD, this tends to refer to congenital heart disease or defects. Unlike heart disease that is acquired later in life, congenital heart defects are inherited and present at birth. What makes matters even more confusing is that people with CHDs may have congestive heart failure.