The Many Faces of Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

By: Robert L. Bard, MD, Lennard Goetze, Ed.D and Graciella Davi

Heart disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are umbrella terms encompassing a wide range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. These conditions can lead to serious complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and even death. Understanding the various types of heart disease can help individuals recognize symptoms early, seek appropriate treatment, and take preventative measures to maintain heart health.

1) CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD) is one of the most common types of heart disease. It occurs when the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart, become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). This can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and heart attacks. Lifestyle changes, medications, and procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery can help manage CAD.

2) HEART FAILURE, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs. It can result from conditions such as CAD, high blood pressure, or cardiomyopathy. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention. Treatment includes medications, lifestyle changes, and in severe cases, devices like pacemakers or heart transplants.

3) ARRHYTHMIAS are irregular heartbeats that can be too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or erratic. These abnormal rhythms can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. Causes range from heart disease and electrolyte imbalances to stress and medications. Treatments include medications, lifestyle modifications, and procedures such as ablation or the implantation of pacemakers.

4) HEART VALVE DISEASE occurs when one or more of the heart’s valves do not function properly, leading to issues such as stenosis (narrowing of the valve) or regurgitation (leakage of blood backward). Common symptoms include fatigue, chest pain, and swelling in the legs. Treatment options vary from medication management to surgical repair or replacement of the affected valve.

5) CARDIOMYOPATHY refers to diseases of the heart muscle that make it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently. Types include dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Symptoms often include breathlessness, swelling in the legs, and irregular heartbeats. Treatment depends on the type but may involve medications, lifestyle changes, and in severe cases, heart transplants.

6) CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE (CHD) refers to structural heart abnormalities present at birth. These defects can range from minor to severe and may involve holes in the heart, abnormal connections between blood vessels, or improperly formed valves. Some cases require surgical correction, while others may be managed with medications and ongoing monitoring.

7) DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)

is the formation of blood clots in deep veins, usually in the legs. If untreated, these clots can break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Risk factors include prolonged immobility, surgery, and clotting disorders. Treatment includes anticoagulant medications, compression stockings, and lifestyle changes.

8) PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (PAD) occurs when arteries outside the heart, particularly in the legs, become narrowed due to atherosclerosis. This can lead to pain, numbness, and even tissue damage in severe cases. PAD increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Treatment focuses on lifestyle changes, medications, and procedures to restore blood flow.

9) AORTIC DISEASE affects the body’s main artery, the aorta. Conditions such as aortic aneurysm (a bulging or weakened area in the aorta) or aortic dissection (a tear in the artery’s wall) can be life-threatening. Symptoms include severe chest or back pain, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Treatment ranges from monitoring to emergency surgical repair.

10) RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE is caused by rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can damage heart valves. It often develops from untreated or inadequately treated strep throat infections. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats. Prevention through early treatment of strep infections is crucial, and management includes medications and sometimes valve surgery.

11) STROKE occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either due to a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). This can cause brain damage, disability, or death. Symptoms include sudden weakness, confusion, trouble speaking, and loss of coordination. Treatment involves clot-busting drugs, surgery, and rehabilitation.

12) PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE) occurs when a blood clot, usually from a DVT, travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow. This can be life-threatening, causing sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and rapid heart rate. Immediate treatment with anticoagulants, thrombolytics, or surgery is necessary to prevent fatal complications.

Conclusion

Heart disease and cardiovascular disease manifest in many forms, each with its own causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Early detection, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate medical intervention are key to managing these conditions and improving overall heart health. Regular check-ups, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in physical activity, and managing stress can significantly reduce the risk of developing these life-threatening diseases.

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EXTRA

CIMT and Longevity   By: BardDiagnostics Science Dept.

Carotid (artery) Intimal Thickness is a vital marker for evaluating peri-menopause related illness. The paired carotid vessel system is the main channel for brain oxygenation and is the main target for hypertension, autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis) and cardiovascular hemodynamic disorders. 

The intimal thickness of 6-8mm in middle age is considered physiologic while a measurement over 1 mm is strongly associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Some studies have shown that estradiol may reduce systolic blood pressure in older women.  The arterial wall has 3 layers; an outer layer-the adventitia-the strong support structure to maintain the vessel shape; the muscular media that cause the artery to constrict as a response to high blood pressure; and the inner lining of a thin layer of cells called the intima

A closer look at the inner lining of any artery is the single cell layer called the “endothelium” which, like the ovary, has many functions. The skin is considered the largest organ in the human body but the endothelial lining is 14,000 square feet (or 6.5 tennis courts) when measured. It is a protective barrier and a hormone producing entity that is vital to the maintenance of every system in our body.  Hypertension increases pressure in the arterial wall and the endothelium reacts with a hormonal shield to reduce the structural damage to the heart, brain, eyes and kidneys. 

Reducing damage to the arterial system is improved due to better evaluation of the abnormal pressures in each organs blood supply. Hemodynamic assessment is now improved by tracking flow abnormalities using spectral Doppler ultrasound that pinpoints the weakest link in the body's vascular defense mechanism. Advance warning of the “at risk” area is key to targeting focal therapy-is it the retina, the heart, the brain, the liver or the kidney separately or in combination? New pressure dynamic imaging highlights vulnerable structures so damage may be mitigated or repaired before permanent issues occur.

Note that the thyroid gland sits adjacent to the carotid system and tumors of the thyroid or parathyroid may be discovered at the same time.  More importantly, high blood flow of inflammation or hyperthyroid disease and low blood flow associated with autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s or lupus may reveal themselves in similar scan sections. The reverse is true where clinically significant plaque is detected during a neck scan for abnormal lab results. Similarly, the recent application of Elastography for thyroid fibrosis also differentiates friable and dangerous soft carotid plaque that may embolize causing stroke.

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