Did you know that cardiovascular diseases comprise more than 30% of annual deaths worldwide? Statistics show that approximately 18 million individuals die per year due to at least one heart problem. This includes 85% due to a heart attack that leads to different life-threatening conditions such as stroke, respiratory failure and cardiac failure.
Due to the rising incidence of cardiovascular disease worldwide, medical practitioners strongly recommend immediate consultation with cardiology specialists in Price to rule out underlying heart conditions.
Hypertension
Hypertension is the most common chronic disease that physicians treat in an outpatient basis. This condition is characterized by at least two measurements of elevated blood pressure at least two minutes apart. This occurs due to stiffening of the vessel lining caused by several factors such as aging, high salt and fat intake, smoking, and lack of exercise. Common symptoms of high blood pressure include headache, dizziness, nape pain, chest heaviness and uneasiness.
Studies show that hypertension is the most common risk factor that contributes to stroke and kidney failure. Since this disease affects almost 1/3 of adults worldwide, it is crucial to visit a cardiologist to check for the presence of high blood pressure.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is one of the most condition heart conditions worldwide. It is characterized by impaired pumping ability of the heart, which results in pooling of blood at the right side of the heart. Patients with CHF often initially present with cough, difficulty of breathing, loss of appetite, and swelling of ankles and legs.
Heart failure requires an immediate consult with a cardiologist to ensure symptomatic relief. Various examinations such as electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography and kidney function tests are performed to determine the severity of the disease. Medical management is focused on strengthening the heart’s pumping action and removing excess fluids in the body.
Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve disease is a condition that is characterized by impairment of the valves that regulate flow within the heart chambers. Since valves are pivotal in ensuring proper heart function, this disease is characterized by leaky valves that do not close tightly. This results in chest pain, difficulty of breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness and lightheadedness. Thus, consultation with a cardiologist is important since distinct heart sounds are present among patients with this condition.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease that involves the heart muscles, which leads to impaired pumping ability of blood to the rest of the body. It is characterized by thickened muscle lining due to poor tissue development and scar formation. Individuals with cardiomyopathy often present with recurrent episodes of general weakness, palpitations, chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath.
Over the past decade, the World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated efforts and interventions to reduce the cases of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. One of the primary recommendations of the WHO is regular consultation with a cardiologist at the earliest sign of disease. Therefore, it is crucial to undergo routine testing as advised by your cardiologist to check for underlying heart conditions.
