TREATMENTS & PREVENtaTIVE MEASURES
Coronary artery disease: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of cardiovascular disease and is caused by damage or disease in the heart’s major blood vessels- blood supply to the arteries become narrowed or hardened. It can be diagnosed through couple diagnostic tests such as an electrocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, echocardiogram and etc. Fortunately, CAD can be prevented and controlled through control of risk factors with heart-healthy lifestyle changes and medicines. Some of these lifestyle changes include but are not limited to quitting smoking, avoiding processed foods, balancing diet, exercising and etc. If the symptoms continue, and have been diagnosed with CAD, you may take medications such as aspirin and a statin. When it comes to surgery and other medical procedures, common treatments include, stent placement, coronary artery bypass and balloon angioplasty.
Congenital heart defect: because the exact cause of most congenital heart defects is unknown, it is often impossible to prevent this condition from happening. However, certain measures such as avoiding harmful substances, taking a multivitamin with folic acid, getting a rubella vaccine, controlling your chronic medical conditions, can help reduce your child’s risk of this defects and other possible heart defects. If your child shows symptoms of congenital heart defect, tests such as a echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, cardiac catheterization and a fetal echocardiogram may be performed. Often, a congenital heart defect may have no long term effect or safely go untreated. If symptoms persist, procedures using catheterization (technique that allows repair to be done without surgically opening the chest and heart) or an open-heart surgery may be done.
Cardiomyopathy: according to the American Heart Association, people who have cardiomyopathy but have no signs or symptoms may not need treatment- dilated cardiomyopathy that comes on suddenly may go away. Individuals are treated based on the severity of their symptoms and complications, a ge and overall health. Lifestyle changes such such healthy diet, exercise, reducing stress, avoiding alcohol can help minimize symptoms. Medicines such as ACE inhibitors, Beta blockers, Corticosteroids and blood thinners may be used. Surgeries such as septal myectomy, implanted devices, and heart transplant may be used to treat cardiomyopathy.
Inflammatory heart disease (Myocarditis): according to Healthline, the dangerous things about myocarditis is that, it can occur at any age, and affect anyone and often individuals with this disease show little or no symptom. It can be diagnosed through a blood test, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, endomyocardial. It can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, antibiotics and corticosteroids. Like cardiomyopathy, treatment depends on the severity of the inflammation and in most cases symptoms may decrease. Staying up to date with vaccinations, proper hygiene, avoiding ticks are suggestive ways to help prevent myocarditis.
The outlook for myocarditis is very positive however, people with myocarditis do not have any long-term effect on their heart.
Work Cited
- Coronary Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-coronary-artery-disease#1
- Staff, B. M. (n.d.). Congenital heart defects in children. Retrieved October 17, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/congenital-heart-defects/basics/definition/con-20034017
- Prevention and Treatment of Cardiomyopathy. Retrieved October 17, 2016, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/Cardiomyopathy/Prevention-and-Treatment-of-Cardiomyopathy_UCM_444176_Article.jsp#.WAVsufkrLIU
- Healthline (5/8/2016.). Myocarditis. Retrieved October 17, 2016, from http://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/myocarditis