It is generally believed that older people usually suffer from heart disease. However, statistics show that recently the age of patients with cardiovascular diseases has significantly aged.
Bad habits, stress, hereditary factors — all this affects the condition of the most important vital organ. It often happens that nothing bothers the patient, however, pathological processes are already developing in his body, which can lead to a tragic outcome.
To avoid serious and, often, unexpected consequences of diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is necessary to systematically, starting from the age of 35-40 years, check the condition of the heart and blood vessels, performing basic diagnostics: ECG, ultrasound, daily monitoring of ECG by Holter, duplex scanning of BCA, and, of course, consult a cardiologist in a timely manner.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system are divided into two types: organic heart pathologies and cardiac arrhythmias.
Organic pathologies of the heart
Aortic Aneurysm and Dissections
Expansion of a vessel with a risk of rupture or dissection, threatening life.
Aortic Stenosis
Narrowing of the aortic valve, disrupting blood flow and leading to heart failure and risk of severe complications.
Atherosclerosis
Narrowing of arteries due to cholesterol plaques, leading to impaired blood flow and risk of heart attack, stroke, or gangrene.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Thickening of the heart muscle, disrupting blood flow and threatening heart failure or sudden death.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Enlargement of the heart chambers, causing heart failure and a high risk of death.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Narrowing of the heart vessels, causing angina, heart attack, or death.
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Impaired blood supply to the heart, causing its enlargement and heart failure.
Mitral Stenosis
Narrowing of the mitral valve, leading to blood congestion in the lungs, shortness of breath, and risk of heart failure or death.
Heart Defects
Damage to the heart valves, causing heart failure and requiring surgical treatment.
Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis
Narrowing of blood vessels due to atherosclerotic plaques, increasing the risk of ischemic stroke, especially when narrowing exceeds 70%.
Heart tumors
Benign or malignant tumors disrupting heart function and threatening embolisms or strokes.
Heart Rhythm Disorders
Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT)
Congenital conduction disorder causing episodes of rapid heartbeat, treated with radiofrequency ablation.
Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)
Cardiac arrest due to arrhythmias, prevented by an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
A dangerous arrhythmia threatening death, treated with medications, radiofrequency ablation, or a cardioverter-defibrillator.
WPW Syndrome (Wolff-Parkinson-White)
A congenital disorder with an additional conduction pathway in the heart, causing episodes of rapid heartbeat.
Atrial Flutter
A rhythm disorder with frequent atrial contractions, threatening stroke and heart failure.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
An irregular heart rhythm increasing the risk of stroke and heart failure.
Extrasystole
Premature heart contractions causing sensations of 'skipped beats' or 'thumps'.
Main Symptoms of Heart Diseases
- Pressure or sharp pain behind the sternum (may radiate to the shoulder or neck).
- Shortness of breath, even at rest.
- Irregular pulse at rest and during moderate exertion.
- Presence of edema due to heart failure.
- General weakness and excessive fatigue during typical daily activities.
- Rapid fluctuations in blood pressure due to cardiac muscle pathology.
- Severe cough, which may occur in the presence of heart failure.
If you experience any of these symptoms, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a cardiologist for the diagnosis of your heart and cardiovascular system.