Heart disease is a condition when the heart is experiencing interference. The form of the disorder itself can vary. There are disorders of the heart arteries, heart rhythms, heart valves, or congenital disorders.
The heart is a muscle that is divided into four chambers. Two spaces are located at the top, namely the atrium (porch) right and left. While the other two chambers are located at the bottom, namely the ventricles (chambers) right and left. Between the right and left spaces are separated by a muscle wall (septum) which serves to prevent the mixing of oxygen-rich blood with oxygen-poor blood.
The main function of the heart is to drain oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. After all the organs of the body use oxygen in the blood, the oxygen-poor blood returns to the heart (right atrium), to be transmitted to the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve. After blood fills the right ventricle, the tricuspid valve closes to prevent blood from returning to the right atrium. Then, when the right ventricle contracts, oxygen-poor blood will come out of the heart through the pulmonary valve and pulmonary artery, then carried to the lungs to be filled with oxygen.
The oxygen-enriched blood is then taken to the left atrium through the pulmonary vein. When the left atrium contracts, blood will be forwarded to the left ventricle via the mitral valve. After the left ventricle is filled with blood, the mitral valve will close to prevent blood from returning to the left atrium. Then, the left ventricle will contract, and blood will flow throughout the body through the aortic valve. The circulatory cycle will continue to recur.
Types of heart disease
The term heart disease includes a variety of heart problems, including:
- Coronary artery disease (coronary heart disease) - narrowing of the heart arteries.
- Arrhythmias - disorders of the heart rhythm.
- Congenital heart disease - heart abnormalities from birth.
- Cardiomyopathy - a disorder of the heart muscle.
- Heart infection - infection of the heart due to bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
- Heart valve disease - a disorder in one or all four heart valves.
Symptoms of heart disease
Symptoms of heart disease vary greatly depending on the type of condition experienced. A number of symptoms that can arise in heart disease include:
- Chest pain feels like being crushed.
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, back and arms.
- Heart palpitations or heart rate slows down.
- Changes in heart rhythm.
- Hard to breathe.
- Dry cough that does not improve.
- Easily tired when on the move.
- Hands and feet feel cold.
- Cyanosis or blue skin color.
- Swelling of the legs, arms, abdomen, or around the eyes.
- Dizzy.
- Fainting or feeling faint.
- Fever.
- Skin rash.
Heart disease will be easier to handle if detected early. Therefore, consult a doctor if the above symptoms appear. Also consult about ways that need to be done to reduce the risk of heart disease, especially if there is a history of heart disease in the family.