Team members

Names / Roles:

• Jeremy Tan   (Leader)
• Quek Jun Kang   (Editor)
• Eric Julius Kan   (Researcher)
• Xavier Lim   (Researcher) 
• Pha Jin Yong (Researcher) 

 

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Meaning / Definition

 

Heart disease usually cannot be cured, and is very hard to cure it. Heart disease is a term for any type of disorder that affects the heart. Heart disease means the same as cardiac 

disease but not cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease means the disorders of the blood vessels and heart, while heart disease just means the heart, but many people get

mix up with the two diseases.

 

This is a video about heart disease

 

 

Causes and Effects

 

Here are some of the cause and effects that heart disease cause

A heart attack results from a blockage in one or both coronary arteries, which move oxygen and blood to the heart. The heart cannot survive without the oxygen that travels through the blood, so the blockage will cause the sudden death of the heart cells.

 

Usually, the blockage forms slowly and steadily over time. Plaque, made from cholesterol and other cells, it thickens within the coronary artery walls. If the blood cannot flow through the blockage, you will experience heart attack. Sometimes, the plaque in the arteries will tear and stick to blood platelets, forming a clot. A heart attack will happen if the clot prevents the blood from flowing to the heart. 

 

You might experience a heart attack at that moment of to much stress or when you are physically exerting yourself while exercising. An illness like Pneumonia (Pneumonia is a lung infection that can make you very sick.) can also cause a heart attack. Most people experience heart attacks in the morning, and that one possible cause involves the rhythm of platelets.

 

 

                         

Signs and Symptoms

 

 

 

Obvious symptoms, women will suffer from silent heart attacks without any symptoms at all. Most men become at risk of heart attack in their mid-40s, and most women become at risk in their mid-50s. A family history of heart attacks and coronary artery disease can provide some indication of whether you are at risk of heart attack. Individuals with a mother, father, brother, or sister who have suffered heart attacks are at risk.

 

Diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are conditions that can trigger a heart attack. As a result, it is important that patients be aware or these conditions and start treatment as quickly as possible, if necessary.

 

Diet and lifestyle can also be risk for a heart attack. Tobacco smokers and alcohol drinkers can put themselves at risk for a heart attack. People who do not exercise and live a health lifestyle may develop a heart attack if they are considered overweight.

 

The presence of C-reactive protein (C-reactive protein measures general levels of inflammation in the body). also known as (CRP) may provide some indication of whether you are at risk for heart attacks or strokes.

 

These are some of the main symptoms for heart disease

 

- Chest pain or discomfort , may feel like a squeezing pain on the chest and also feel pain in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back. 

 

-Lack of oxygen.

 

Other symptoms includes

 

-Breaking out cold sweat, nausea, upper body discomfort like the neck, jaw or stomach.

 

-Your heart would usually have discomfort and will feel pain.

 

 

 

Prevention and Treatment

                              

 

 

To prevent heart diseases you must do the following below.

 

-There Must be a change in your lifestyle and exercise more often.

 

-Blood cholesterol lowering agents,it will helps to decrease cholesterol levels in the blood.

 

-Beta blockers, (it is a widely prescribed class of drug to treat hypertension/high blood pressure) slow the heart and make it beat with less contracting force so blood pressure drops and the heart doesn't need to work alot. Mostly used for high blood pressures, chest pain and to prevent rapid attacks.

 

-Nitrates (nitroglycerin) it relaxes the blood vessels and stop chest pain. Calcium channel blocks, almost the same as nitrates (nitroglycerin) but also treat high blood pressure.

 

-Electrocardiogram (ECG) or (EKG), it records the electrical activity of the heart as it contract or reflexes. The machine can detect irregular heartbeats, some areas of damage and heart enlargement.

 

-Blood teat, check for enzymes (  or other substance released when cells begin to die .

 

-Nuclear scan, it reveals the damaged areas of the heart that lack blood flow. It also can show problems with the heart's pumping action.

 

-Coronary angiography (or arteriograghy), a test that uses dye and special x-rays to show the inside of the coronary arteries .

 

-Have a healthier life style and balanced diet.

 

-Have to pick our pills wisely.

 

 

 

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Link to Other Illnesses or Diseases

 

Rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease happen when one or more attacks of rheumatic fever, which then damages the heart, most likely the heart valves maintain one-way blood. Rheumatic fever usually happens when u are young, and may follow a streptococcal infection(A serious bacterial infection). sometimes, the infection affects the heart and may result in scarring the valves, making the heart muscles weak, or damaging the sac enclosing the heart. The valves are sometimes scarred so they do not open and close normally. 

 

Stroke

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is one of the highest causes of death in the States and can lead to disability, weakness in the arms or legs.  Stroke occurs when a blood vessel which carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures).

 

Here is a video that summarize about Stroke:

 

 

 

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References

 

(http://www.heart.arizona.edu)

(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/)

(https://www.youtube.com)

(http://www.world-heart-federation.org/)

(http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/)

(http://www.symptomfind.com/)

(http://www.google.com)

(http://strokeassociation.org)

(http://www.webmd.com/)