Heart disease, or, cardiovascular disease, can refer to many different conditions such as the narrowing or blocking of blood vessels that can lead to angina, heart attack, or stroke. Other heart conditions affect heart muscle, heart valves, or the proper rhythm (beating) of the heart. In this program we will explore four unique areas of heart disease. Heart Failure can occur for two reasons: ischemic heart disease where an artery blockage results in a heart attack that injures heart muscle or, non-ischemic heart disease which is sometimes hereditary. Non-ischemic issues are not artery related, but heart muscle related due to heart valve disease or other causes. Aortic dissection is a serious condition in which the inner layer of the aorta, the large blood vessel branching off the heart, tears. As blood soars through this tear the inner and middle layers of the aorta separate, called dissection. If blood ruptures through the outside aortic wall, the dissection can be fatal. Coronary heart disease risk management involves the steps people can take to help lessen the consequences of heart disease. The buildup of a waxy substance called plaque in the arteries can interrupt the supply of blood to the heart. Through lifestyle changes and medications, many of the consequences of heart disease can be brought under control. Heart valve disease occurs if even one valve stops working properly. These four valves have flaps that open and close with each heartbeat, making sure blood flows in the proper direction through the four chambers. Infections, age, and birth defects, may cause one or more valves to not open fully or let blood leak back into the heart chambers, making the heart work harder.
