What is heart disease/cardiovascular disease?

Heart disease refers to conditions affecting the health of the heart muscle.

Common types of cardiovascular diseases include the following:

• Arrhythmia is an inconsistent heartbeat that affects the rhythm of the heart muscle. The heart may beat at a fast or slow rate or inconsistently. In most cases, heart arrhythmia appears harmless, while other types of heart arrhythmias may present with life-threatening symptoms.
• Coronary artery disease occurs when fatty plaque accumulates within the arterial walls. The build-up of plaque, which consists of cholesterol deposits, causes the inside of the arteries to restrict over time, a process referred to as “atherosclerosis”.

• Heart failure develops when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently. As a result, blood flows in reverse, resulting in fluid retention in the legs and lungs. Fluid accumulation causes swelling in the feet and legs and trouble breathing.

What are the signs of cardiovascular disease?

Certain cardiovascular conditions may appear asymptomatic, while other related disorders lead to the following symptoms:

• Chest pain (angina)
• Trouble breathing
• Lethargy
• Swelling as a result of fluid accumulation (oedema)

How do you diagnose cardiovascular disease?

The following diagnostic tests are ordered for heart disease:

• An electrocardiogram is a diagnostic study that measures and records electrical signals emitted from the heart muscle.
• A Holter monitor is a carry-on ECG device attached to the body to measure the electrical functioning of the heart muscle.
• Echocardiogram utilises sound waves to produce images of the heart while it’s still functioning. An echocardiogram reveals how blood flows through the heart and its valves.
• nCardiac catheterisation is a diagnostic procedure that reveals obstructions within the arteries of the heart.