Cardiac Surgery
Cardiovascular disorders or heart disease can be classified into two basic groups. This article describes these conditions briefly and discusses the general signs and symptoms, as well as the treatment for common heart ailments.
Atherosclerosis, a common arterial disease in which raised areas of degeneration and cholesterol deposits (plaques) form on the inner surfaces of the arteries cause the arteries to harden. When this happens, obstruction can occur and there will be little to no oxygen being circulated to the heart and the rest of the body. This type of disease predisposes a person to several heart disorders, one of them being a myocardial ischemia or a heart attack. The other category of heart disease explained in this article encompasses disorders that have to do with the heart valves. Diseases such as rheumatic heart failure or a congenital anomaly like tetralogy of fallot can lead to one or more of the heart valves to not function properly. The effect of this in the body is noted in the inadequate circulation and cardiac output necessary for the body to optimally function.
Heart disease is caused by several factors. Modifiable factors include smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Non-modifiable factors are genetically acquired. Cardiovascular disease may be familial. If you have relatives who already have heart ailments, it is recommended that you get a check-up to determine if you are at risk. If you are, the clinician may suggest lifestyle changes in your diet and exercise regime to delay or avoid the occurrence of potential heart disease as long as possible. Chest pain is the primary manifestation of a heart problem. It may start at the left side of the chest and radiate to the left shoulder and arm. Dizziness, breaking out in a cold, clammy sweat and palpitations (when the heart beats unreasonably fast) may be exhibited as well. In valve diseases, these symptoms are accompanied with shortness of breath.
Heart disease is usually treated with a myriad of medications to lower the blood pressure and to decrease viscosity of the blood. Surgical treatments are also considered and these procedures are assisted with the use of operation microscopes.These procedures include using “stents” to keep a plaque ridden artery to remain open and avoid it from being blocked. A coronary artery bypass graft or CABG is performed by surgeons usong specialized operation microscopes to replace coronary arteries that have been damaged or injured following a major heart attack. This involves harvesting blood vessels from the patient’s leg and replacing the coronary arteries with them. This is quite often a delicate surgery and requires an experienced cardiac surgeon. Since these are very delicate operations, surgeons use operation microscopes to enhance visualization. Operations concerning heart valves are made to either repair or replace the damaged valves so that the heart will not have a difficult time pumping blood effectively and providing adequate circulation.
Along with surgery, the doctor will recommend making a few lifestyle modifications as well. Those with heart ailments are usually kept on blood thinners to prevent blood clots that might cause obstruction to their arteries, and are told to adhere to a low fat, low salt diet and exercise on a regular basis to keep their blood cholesterol levels and their weight down. Smoking cessation and avoiding alcohol are vital to prevent the recurrence of heart disease. Read more on this topic
