Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Various factors, such as stress, underlying medical conditions, and a sedentary lifestyle, make an individual more vulnerable to heart disease…..
Depression is a mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. When an individual suffers from depression, they experience sadness, hopelessness…
There was a time when heart attacks were restricted to older people (in their 50s, 60s, or 70s). However, in today’s day and age, heart attacks are becoming increasingly common in individuals under the…
Heart disease is a significant global health concern, as it causes numerous deaths worldwide every year. Heart failure treatment typically involves medications, lifestyle changes…
A bride in her early 20s collapsed at her wedding hours after exchanging garlands in Malihabad, UP. A man in his mid-20s collapsed during a walk with his friends in the streets…
Exercise is believed to be one of the most effective ways to improve cardiac health. It reduces the risk of various cardiovascular ailments, including heart valve disease, coronary…
Heart disease is one of the major causes of death worldwide, and many factors increase its risk. These include high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol levels, obesity…
Heart attacks are usually severe and potentially life-threatening. It isn’t surprising that they are one of the leading causes of death across the globe. A heart attack, medically known as…
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a medical emergency that occurs when a blockage in the coronary arteries restricts blood supply to the heart. This blockage…
Obesity and heart disease are two health conditions that are closely linked. Obesity is the accumulation of excessive body fat, which can lead to a wide range of health problems…
A heart attack, medically known as a myocardial infarction, is a severe medical emergency that can cause lasting damage to the heart muscle and even lead to death…
Atherosclerosis, also known as arteriosclerosis or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, is a chronic and progressive condition that occurs when plaque accumulates within…
Blood clots are a potentially dangerous condition that can form in the veins or arteries of the body. While blood clots are a natural response to injury, they can cause…
Heart attack is a leading cause of death worldwide, and it necessitates the need to see a heart disease specialist. If a patient suffers a heart attack and doesn’t…
Recent studies have shown that irregular sleep may also increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. In severe cases, it can result in complications, such as heart attacks, necessitating the need for angioplasty in the heart.
A heart attack is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical interventions, such as angioplasty in the heart. On the other hand, heart failure is a progressive condition that results in the gradual weakening of the heart muscles.
Angiography and angioplasty in the heart are two different procedures. Angiography is a diagnostic tool used to identify blockages, while angioplasty is a therapeutic procedure used to open up blocked blood vessels.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency life-saving procedure performed on individuals experiencing cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac failure. CPR aims to manually keep the blood and oxygen flowing in the body until professional medical help arrives.
Complex coronary angioplasty in the heart is an advanced interventional cardiology procedure recommended for patients who have previously undergone coronary bypass surgery.
Coronary angioplasty, also called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a minimally invasive procedure performed to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.
Maintaining a healthy heart is of utmost importance, and a well-balanced diet plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. Heart disease, including heart attacks, is a leading cause of death worldwide.
TEER is a catheter-based procedure that utilizes a small, flexible device to repair the mitral valve. The procedure is typically performed in a cardiac catheterization lab under fluoroscopic guidance without the need for a sternotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) is a groundbreaking procedure that offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery for treating mitral valve disease.
Angioplasty and stent placement are interventional cardiology procedures commonly used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD). These procedures work together to restore blood flow to the heart muscle by widening narrowed or blocked arteries.
There are many different types of ailments that can affect the heart. Some of them, such as heart attacks and arrhythmias, can be life-threatening if left untreated. A variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and underlying medical conditions.
A weak heart, also known as heart failure, is a condition characterized by the heart’s inability to pump blood efficiently, leading to reduced circulation and inadequate oxygen supply to the body’s tissues.
Heart disease remains a significant global health concern, accounting for a considerable number of deaths worldwide. While it is well known that factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and obesity can contribute to heart disease, there are several other lesser-known risks that also play a crucial role in its development.
Vitamin D deficiency is not a major risk factor for heart attacks. According to Dr C. Raghu, The major risk factors for heart attacks remain hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and family history.
Alcohol addition and binge drinking, combined with workplace stress can cause cardiovascular ailments, such as heart failure, hypertension, etc. They can also increase your risk of experiencing a silent heart attack.
Cholesterol lowering drugs, also known as lipid-lowering medications, are prescribed to help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and mitigate associated cardiovascular risks.
Excessive salt consumption is a known risk factor for heart failure, heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, and other cardiovascular complications, primarily due to its impact on blood pressure and blood vessel health.
The relationship between hypertension and severe COVID-19 is complex. Factors such as ACE2 receptor expression, inflammation, and immune response influence their connection.
Heartburn and heart attack are two medical conditions that can cause chest pain. However, the two conditions differ in their causes, symptoms, and treatment.
In today’s fast-paced world, heart health has become a significant concern for many. Whеthеr you’vе been diagnosed with a heart condition or simply want to еnsurе your heart’s well-being
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart condition in which there is an opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta. The ductus arteriosus is a small connection in the fetal heart helps oxygen rich blood to by-pass the immature baby’s lungs and flow into the body.
The heart consists of four chambers, of which upper two chambers are called as atria and lower two chambers are called as ventricles. Right and left chambers are separated by a wall of muscle called a septum. The septum separating the atria is called inter atrial septum and the once between the two ventricles in inter ventricular septum.
Right two chambers – right atrium and right ventricle pump the deoxygenated blood collected from various parts of the body to the lungs. Blood gets saturated with oxygen in the lungs and returns back to the left side of the heart.
Ventricular septal defects (VSD) is a common type of congenital heart defect, which is characterized by an abnormal opening or a hole in the interventricular septum, the dividing wall between right and left ventricles. The oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle will enter into the right ventricle through the opening, thereby getting mixed with deoxygenated blood which then enters into lungs. This will force the heart and lungs to work harder.
Causes:
The exact cause of VSD is unknown. During fetal heart developmental stage, the heart develops from a large tube which eventually divides into chambers and walls. Any abnormality in this process will lead to the formation of a defect in the septum. If the defect is in the interventricular septum, then it is said to be ventricular septal defect. There may be one or more VSDs.
Types:
Based on the location and development of VSD, it is classified into following types:
Conoventricular Ventricular Septal Defect: It occurs just below the pulmonary and aortic valves.
Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect: It occurs in the upper part of the ventricular septum.
Inlet Ventricular Septal Defect: It occurs adjacent to the tricuspid and mitral valves. This type of defect might be associated with atrial septal defect.
Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect: It is the most common type of VSD, which occurs in the lower muscular part of the interventricular septum.
Signs and symptoms:
Small defects in the septum do not show any symptoms because it closes on its own gradually during childhood.
Large defects show signs and symptoms usually after birth within a few weeks or months.
The first sign of VSD is heart murmur, which is a whooshing sound that can be heard using a stethoscope. The other symptoms include:
Fatigue (tiredness)
Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm)
Fast breathing or breathlessness
Poor feeding
Poor weight gain
Pale skin
Enlarged liver
Risk factors:
Ventricular septal defects mostly occur due to defective genes and chromosomes, that may be hereditary.
Environmental factors during pregnancy may also play a role in development of VSD in the fetus.
Complications:
Large or medium septal defects if left untreated, may lead to life threatening complications such as:
Heart failure, as heart need to work harder to pump enough blood to the body.
Pulmonary hypertension (increased blood flow to the lungs results in increased blood pressure in the lung arteries).
Endocarditis (infection in the endocardium of heart).
Other heart problems such as abnormal heart rhythms and valve problems.
Diagnosis:
If heart murmurs are detected during the physical examination, the patient may be advised further testing to conform the diagnosis.
Echocardiogram: This test is the primary tool for the diagnosis of VSD, as it can be used to determine the size, location and severity of the ventricular septal defect. Sound waves are used to produce the detailed images of the heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of the heart and helps to identify the abnormal heart rhythms and defects in the septum.
Chest X-ray: X-rays are used to view the images of heart and lungs. In VSD, this test helps to determine the enlarged heart and extra fluid in the lungs.
Cardiac catheterization: The test involves inserting a thin, flexible tube into the blood vessel at the groin or an arm, which is guided to the heart, to identify any congenital heart defects and to determine the function of the heart chambers and its valves.
Pulse oximetry: Oxygen levels in the blood can be measured using a small clip which is placed on the fingertip.
Treatment:
Usually treatment is not needed for small VSDs, as they close on their own gradually after birth.
Babies with larger VSD need surgery to prevent any further complications.
The treatment for ventricular septal defects include:
Medications such as diuretics like furosemide are used to reduce the amount of fluid in the blood that is pumped to the lungs and in the circulation. Beta blockers like metoprolol, propranolol and digoxin are used to maintain the regular heartbeat.
Surgical procedures include surgical repair, catheter procedure and hybrid procedure. Surgical repair involves open heart surgery, in which the doctor uses a patch or stitches to close the hole, performed under general anaesthesia. In catheter procedure, a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and then passed to the heart. The defect is closed using a specially sized mesh device. Hybrid procedure uses both surgical repair and catheterization procedures to close the hole, with the help of a heart-lung machine and a catheter placed through an incision.
Prevention:
Ventricular septal defects cannot be prevented, but following certain measures during pregnancy may be helpful to prevent the risk of VSD. The measures include:
Prenatal care before pregnancy: Consult a physician before planning for pregnancy and inform him about the family history of any congenital defects and the medications using currently, so that he may give suggestions or recommend some lifestyle modifications to avoid the risk of heart defects.
Healthy diet: Having a balanced diet including vitamins and folic acid during pregnancy will help in giving birth to a healthy child without any heart defects.
Regular exercise under the supervision of a gynecologist is necessary during pregnancy.
Avoid alcohol, tobacco and harmful drug use : during pregnancy to prevent the risk of VSD.
Get vaccinated: Check whether you are vaccinated for vaccine-preventable infections before getting pregnant.
Control diabetes: Monitor your sugar levels regularly to prevent the risk of heart defects.