Journal of Cardiovascular Disease and Treatment: It is a peer-reviewed journal that aims to publish reliable information about cardio using different articles. It covers all the topics related to cardiovascular disease and their treatment.
- Coronary artery: The coronary arteries are responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscle, which, like all tissues in the body, requires oxygen-rich blood to function and needs oxygen-depleted blood to be carried away. These arteries wrap around the exterior of the heart, with smaller branches penetrating the heart muscle to deliver blood. The two primary coronary arteries are the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and the right coronary artery (RCA).
- Left Main Coronary Artery (LMCA): The LMCA supplies blood to the left side of the heart muscle, including the left ventricle and left atrium. It is divided into two major branches:
- The left anterior descending artery branches off from the left coronary artery and delivers blood to the front of the left side of the heart.
- The circumflex artery also branches from the left coronary artery, encircling the heart muscle and supplying blood to the outer side and back of the heart.
- Right Coronary Artery (RCA): The RCA provides blood to the right ventricle, right atrium, and the sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes, which are crucial for regulating heart rhythm. The RCA divides into smaller branches, including the right posterior descending artery and the acute marginal artery. Along with the left anterior descending artery, the RCA helps supply blood to the middle portion of the heart, known as the septum.
- Left Main Coronary Artery (LMCA): The LMCA supplies blood to the left side of the heart muscle, including the left ventricle and left atrium. It is divided into two major branches:
- Hypertension: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the pressure in your blood vessels consistently reaches 140/90 mmHg or higher. While common, it can become serious if left untreated. Many people with high blood pressure do not experience symptoms, so the only way to confirm it is by having your blood pressure checked.Several factors can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, including:
- Older age
- Genetics
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of physical activity
- A high-salt diet
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthier diet, quitting tobacco, and increasing physical activity can help lower blood pressure, though some individuals may still require medication. Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers. The first number, called systolic, measures the pressure in your blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second number, diastolic, measures the pressure when the heart rests between beats. Hypertension is diagnosed if, on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings are ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic readings are ≥90 mmHg.
- Atherosclerosis: Arteriosclerosis occurs when the arteries, which carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body, become thick and stiff, potentially restricting blood flow to organs and tissues. While healthy arteries are typically flexible and elastic, over time, their walls can harden a condition often referred to as hardening of the arteries.Atherosclerosis is a specific form of arteriosclerosis. Atherosclerosis involves the accumulation of fats, cholesterol, and other substances on and within the artery walls, forming a buildup known as plaque. This plaque can cause the arteries to narrow, obstructing blood flow, and may also rupture, leading to the formation of a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often associated with heart issues, it can affect arteries throughout the body. Fortunately, atherosclerosis can be managed, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent its development.
- Acute coronary syndrome: Acute coronary syndrome is a term used to describe a range of conditions resulting from a sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart. These conditions include heart attacks and unstable angina. A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when cell death damages or destroys heart tissue. Unstable angina happens when blood flow to the heart is reduced, but not severely enough to cause cell death or a heart attack. However, this decreased blood flow increases the risk of a future heart attack. Acute coronary syndrome often leads to intense chest pain or discomfort and is considered a medical emergency requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment. The primary goals of treatment are to restore blood flow, manage complications, and prevent future issues.
- Heart valve replacement surgery: Heart valve surgery is a procedure designed to address heart valve disease, which occurs when one or more of the four heart valves are not functioning correctly. These valves are crucial for ensuring that blood flows in the proper direction through the heart. The four heart valves are the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, and aortic valve. Each valve features flaps—referred to as leaflets in the mitral and tricuspid valves and cusps in the aortic and pulmonary valves. These flaps should open and close once with each heartbeat. When they fail to do so properly, it disrupts the flow of blood through the heart and to the rest of the body. During heart valve surgery, a surgeon either repairs or replaces the damaged or diseased valves. This can be accomplished through open-heart surgery or minimally invasive techniques.
- Pacemaker: A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device designed to prevent the heart from beating too slowly. It requires surgery for implantation, and the device is placed under the skin near the collarbone.A pacemaker, also known as a cardiac pacing device, comes in various types:
- Single Chamber Pacemaker: This type typically sends electrical signals to the lower right chamber of the heart.
- Dual Chamber Pacemaker: This type delivers electrical signals to both the upper and lower right chambers of the heart.
- Biventricular Pacemaker: Also known as a cardiac resynchronization pacemaker, this type is used for individuals with heart failure and a slow heartbeat. It stimulates both lower heart chambers to help strengthen the heart muscle.
- Cardiac remodelling: Cardiac remodelling refers to the changes in the size and shape of the heart that occur in response to cardiac disease or damage.When discussing “remodelling,” the focus is typically on the left ventricle, although the term can occasionally apply to other heart chambers. Doctors can evaluate the presence and extent of cardiac remodelling using imaging studies that assess the size, shape, and function of the left ventricle.The most common imaging studies used to measure remodelling include:
- Echocardiography
- MRI
These non-invasive tests do not involve radiation and can be repeated as needed. Beta blockers, which were once believed to be contraindicated in heart failure due to their reduction in cardiac muscle contraction force, have been shown to improve the geometry of the left ventricle. In heart failure patients, these drugs effectively increase the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), alleviate symptoms, and extend survival. Effective treatments for heart failure are those that reduce or reverse ventricular remodelling. Therapies that can help improve cardiac remodelling include:
- Beta blockers
- ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers
- Hydralazine combined with nitrates
- Aldosterone inhibitors such as spironolactone
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (a type of implanted device)
- Medical imaging: Medical imaging involves techniques and processes used to visualize the interior of the body for clinical analysis and medical intervention, as well as to observe the function of organs and tissues. Its primary goal is to reveal internal structures that are hidden by the skin and bones and to aid in diagnosing and treating diseases. Medical imaging also creates a reference database of normal anatomy and physiology, which helps in identifying abnormalities. While imaging of removed organs and tissues is possible for medical purposes, such procedures are typically categorized under pathology rather than medical imaging. Measurement and recording methods not specifically designed for imaging, such as electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and electrocardiography (ECG), produce data that can be represented as parameter graphs over time or maps showing measurement locations. Although these technologies are not traditional forms of medical imaging, they can be considered part of medical instrumentation with a similar function of providing valuable data about the body’s internal processes.
- Healthcare Research: Health research involves investigating human health issues to gain a deeper understanding. It is typically funded by government agencies, private foundations, or pharmaceutical companies, with the aim of generating information that benefits patients, communities, and other researchers. Health research encompasses various types, including:
- Behavioral Research: This type examines how individuals and groups behave in different situations. Examples include:
- Investigating personal experiences with illness
- Participating in focus groups to discuss new health improvement strategies
- Clinical Research: Also known as clinical trials, this type focuses on discovering and testing new medicines, medical devices, or treatments. Examples include:
- Developing a new test for breast cancer
- Comparing the effectiveness of two drugs for treating heart disease
- Creating lenses to improve vision after eye surgery
- Genetic Research: This type explores the role of genes in diseases and health conditions. Examples include:
- Identifying the BRCA gene mutation as a breast cancer risk factor
- Creating medications or treatments tailored to an individual’s genetic profile (also known as precision medicine)
- Public Health Research: This type aims to prevent and treat illnesses and diseases within communities or populations. Examples include:
- Designing media campaigns to promote healthy eating
- Studying the spread of the flu within a community
- Behavioral Research: This type examines how individuals and groups behave in different situations. Examples include:
- Alcohol septal ablation: Alcohol septal ablation is a non-surgical procedure used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick. This procedure helps alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of future complications. In your heart, the left and right ventricles are the two lower chambers, separated by a muscular wall called the septum. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the walls of the ventricles and septum may thicken excessively. The septum can bulge into the left ventricle, partially obstructing blood flow and increasing pressure on the heart, leading to symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. The procedure involves using a thin, flexible tube called a catheter, which has a balloon at its tip. Your doctor inserts the catheter through a blood vessel in your groin and advances it to the artery supplying blood to the septum. Alcohol is then injected through the catheter into the thickened area of the heart. The alcohol is toxic to the heart muscle cells, causing them to shrink and die. The remaining scar tissue is thinner than the original muscle, improving blood flow through the heart and to the rest of the body. Afterward, the balloon is deflated, and the catheter is withdrawn.
- Non- angina chest pain: Non-cardiac chest pain refers to recurring pain in the chest area typically behind the breastbone and near the heart that is not related to heart issues. For most individuals, this type of chest pain is actually associated with problems in the esophagus, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Stress, anxiety, and depression can also present as chronic chest pain. Other conditions, like lung issues and musculoskeletal injuries, may cause short-term, acute chest pain. However, non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is typically diagnosed as a chronic condition.
- Angina: Angina is a type of chest pain resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart. It is a symptom of coronary artery disease. Also known as angina pectoris, angina is often described as a squeezing, pressure-like, heavy, tight, or painful sensation in the chest. It may feel as though a heavy weight is resting on the chest. Angina can either be a new pain that requires medical evaluation or recurring pain that improves with treatment. Although angina is relatively common, distinguishing it from other types of chest pain, such as heartburn, can be challenging. It is important to seek medical attention for unexplained chest pain.Types of Angina:
- Stable Angina: This is the most common form and usually occurs during physical activity or exertion. It typically resolves with rest or angina medication. For example, pain that starts while walking uphill or in cold weather may be stable angina. It is predictable and often similar to previous episodes, lasting a short time, usually five minutes or less.
- Unstable Angina: This type is a medical emergency. It is unpredictable, occurring at rest or with minimal physical effort. The pain is usually more severe and lasts longer than stable angina, sometimes 20 minutes or more. It does not typically subside with rest or standard angina medications. If blood flow does not improve, it can lead to a heart attack. Unstable angina requires immediate emergency treatment.
- Variant Angina (Prinzmetal Angina): This type is caused by a spasm in the heart’s arteries rather than coronary artery disease. The spasm temporarily reduces blood flow, leading to severe chest pain that often occurs in cycles, particularly at rest or overnight. The pain can be relieved by angina medication.
- Refractory Angina: This form is characterized by frequent angina episodes despite using a combination of medications and making lifestyle changes.
- Healthcare research
- Bionics
- Implants
- Covid -19
