congenital heart disease in pregnancy

congenital heart disease in pregnancy
As you can see, heart disease comes in a variety of life-threatening forms. All heart diseases are referred to as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). CVDs include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, rheumatic heart, arterial diseases, cardio-pulmonary, cardiovascular and congenital defects.

Cardiovascular disease, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), is the most common form and represents 54 percent of all cardiovascular diseases. Coronary heart disease and angina pectoris, the chest pain from the constriction of blood vessels, and myocardial infarction (MI), also known as a heart attack, by the complete blockage of blood flow to the heart.

It is possible that a person is more than one type of cardiovascular disease in the same time. An example: A person can be both coronary heart disease and hypertension. Coronary heart disease is responsible for more than half of all cardiac events in men and women under the age seventy-five. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Framingham Heart Study, the lifetime risk of developing CAD after forty years in the amount of 49 percent for men and 32 percent for women.

Scientists now know that atherosclerosis can be in childhood. Researchers have discovered the early streaks of fatty substances in the arteries of children aged three years. The average American in his major vascular structure of middle age. In women, possibly because of the protective effect of estrogen, the thicker buildups not start up after menopause.

Even without the effects of a stroke or heart attack, atherosclerosis advances the aging process. Healthy circulation in the body is the source of food and life for the cells. Since this traffic is slowly cut off, it affects the functioning of cells. Atherosclerosis has not inevitable. With knowledge of the mechanisms leading to this disease, you can use the steps to reduce risks and to renew your youthful vitality and energy.

Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease

The cause of coronary heart disease is atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis comes from the root words "atheroma" and "sclerosis," "which means" to harden. "Atherosclerosis is a process that to a group of diseases caused by the thickening of artery walls. The thickening results from a compilation of the plaque on the vessel wall. Plaque is made up of different types of contaminants, the survey on the areas of inflammation on blood vessel walls, allowing more and more to make the transition through which blood can flow.

Plaque is formed in a variety of shapes and sizes. Small plaques accumulate during the arteries throughout the body and can be difficult to recognize. Doctors can easily discover the big, hardened plaques in the coronary arteries. This effect is usually the chest pain associated with angina pectoris.

Small plaque buildups, however, as on so thick, hard plaques. Researchers have now found that these smaller plaques are less firmly attached to the outside and thus less stable. These small, unstable plaques are much more likely to break and let the mass of cholesterol in the bloodstream. This concentrated cholesterol contributes to the formation of blood clots. When a small plaque build-up in the coronary arteries ruptures and a blood clot, it can trigger a heart attack.

As a first assessment of the likelihood of CAD, ask yourself the following questions:

Have you ever had a heart attack?

Do you have recurrent chest pain that was diagnosed as angina pectoris?

Do you have heart surgery as a bypass surgery or angioplasty procedure?

Did you ever angiogram showed a blockage in the coronary arteries?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you probably have CAD. Make sure to discuss strategies to manage your cholesterol levels with your health care provider.