Adult cardiac diseases can be described as a collection of heart problems that develop in adults. They may affect the heart muscle, valves, arteries, or the heart’s electrical system. Most of the diseases develop gradually due to aging or other medical problems.
The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to all the parts of the body. When the heart or the blood vessels become damaged or blocked, it may result in serious health problems. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention to ensure heart health.
Several issues may result in the development of adult cardiac diseases. They include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and heart problems in the family. In addition, heart problems may develop in people due to structural changes in the heart and blood vessels when they grow old.
Adult cardiac diseases may result in different problems in the heart. Some may affect the heart’s arteries that supply oxygen to the heart muscle. In other cases, the diseases may result in problems in the heart valves or structures. It helps to identify the type of heart problems to ensure that the best treatment method is used.
Coronary artery disease develops when there is an accumulation of plaque within the coronary arteries, thereby limiting the supply of blood to the heart. The reduction of blood supply to the heart causes chest pain known as angina, and it also increases the risk of suffering a heart attack. The diagnostic tests include coronary angiography, while the treatment options are varied.
Valvular heart diseases relate to the heart valves, which control the flow of blood through the heart. The heart valves can develop stenosis, where the valves are narrowed, or regurgitation, where the valves do not close properly. Mitral valve prolapse, aortic stenosis, and valve degeneration are some of the diseases that can compromise the normal functioning of the heart. The treatment for these diseases includes repair, replacement, balloon valvuloplasty, and TAVR.
Structural heart diseases are those that affect the structure of the heart muscle or tissue. Examples of such conditions include hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, tumors in the atrium such as left atrial myxoma, and dilation of the aorta, referred to as ascending aortic aneurysm. Some structural heart conditions may necessitate special surgical interventions such as pericardiectomy.
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