nursing: heart disorder

8/14/2019 Nursing: Heart Disorder

1/68

Cardiomegaly

Cardiomegaly is a condition wherein the heart enlarges in a cardiothoracic ratio of more than 0.50. It can be attributed to a lot of

causes, but mostly it is because of low heart output, otherwise referred to as a cardiac failure. A cardiothoracic ratio is the way to

measure the size of a persons heart. In this case, cardiomegaly occurs if the heart is more than 50 percent bigger than the inner

diameter of ones rib cage.

Cardiomegaly is assumed to be the direct effect of the thickening of the heart

muscles and that happens when the heart is given an increased workload. This increase workload on the other hand, may be due

to other health conditions present in the body. Viral illnesses and previous heart attacks can cause the heart to overwork. Drug

abuse, inflammation of the heart, and uncontrolled hypertension are the known issues that may give rise to cardiomegaly.

Exercise is also a factor. It is believed that most athletes have enlarged hearts, but in this case, theirs is not considered to be a

medical condition at all. So in essence, cardiomegaly is not always bad, at least not for sports people. But to a regular person,

having an enlarged heart is not normal at all.

The hearts right or left ventricle may be enlarged, and in some instances, both ventricles can be affected. This is called

cardiomegaly due to ventricular hypertrophy. If the left heart is affected, it is called left ventricular hypertrophy. Right ventricular

hypertrophy if the right ventricle is affected. This condition is very common to people who have chronic systolic heart failure or

cardiomyopathies. Cardiomegaly can also be due to dilation.

Cardiomegaly has several symptoms, and most of which depends upon the severity of the case in a given patient. Usually, all the

symptoms associated to the hearts failure to pump blood properly are observed. That could mean breathlessness, dizziness, and

the quickening or the slowing of ones pulse rate. Other symptoms such as swelling of the ankles and legs, including tenderness

in the upper right quadrant, can be felt. Ascites, or the presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity is also likely to develop.

Cardiomegaly can be treated through the use of diuretics. Diuretics are prescription drugs that enhance the output of serous fluids

in the body, especially if ascites is present. Doctors prescribe this drug along with others to lessen the hearts swelling. ACE

inhibitors are also given. ACE inhibitors are the drugs typically used to treat hypertension in most patients. Beta-blockers and

nitrates are also used and both have seen uses in giving aid to people with other heart conditions as well. In essence, the treatment

of this disease is directed to the treatment of its underlying causes.

But cardiomegaly is believed not be the disease itself, but just a sign of a possibly more severe problem. There are a lot of

conditions which can give rise to cardiomegaly and two of which are heart valve disorders and high blood pressure. But other

diseases, such as severe anemia, thyroid disorders may also be the possible culprits. Even the presence of excessive iron and the

abnormal buildup of protein in the body can give rise to cardiomegaly.

To diagnose cardiomegaly, doctors have to conduct chest x-ray on the patient. Usually, this disease is identified through an

incidental test on the upper body, even if it is not directed to the disease in itself. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors usually

request an ultrasound to the heart. This is more commonly referred to as the electrocardiogram test.


2/68

Today, a lot of researches are being conducted to treat cardiomegaly. The

goal is to reach the full treatment of the disease, together with the

conditions that are associated to it. The best possible treatment, either

through the use of new drugs or methods, is being clinically tested.

Hopefully, a cure will be introduced very soon.

Cardiomyopathy

It is a disease of the heart muscle. It is a condition where the muscle of the heart is abnormal without an obvious cause. There are

four main types of cardiomyopathy:

1. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

2.Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

3. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM)

4. Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy :

In HCM, also known as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, the muscular walls of the heart become thickened which

prevents the heart from filling up with blood properly and stops it being pumped from the heart.

Patients with this condition suffer from short of breath, experience chest pains and palpitations, and may often faint. The exact

cause of HCM is unknown, although its usually inherited. Screening is offered to families of those with the condition to do the

early prevention.

Dilated cardiomyopathy :

In DCM, the muscular walls of the heart become dilated. This causes the heart to become larger and the heart muscle weaker,

making it unable to pump the blood normally. Symptoms of DCM include tiredness and shortness of breath while exercising or

resting. People with this condition may also have heart palpitations, fainting episodes, chest pain and notice their ankles

becoming swollen. It can affect people of any age; however it is more common between the ages of 20 and 60 but men are more

at risk of developing.

Although it is not very clear about the causes but a viral or other infection of the heart, or part of an autoimmune process where,

for an unknown reason, the body attacks itself. Extra usage of alcohol and drug misuse, and exposure to certain chemicals and

pesticides, can cause the problem.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy :

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy is caused by stiffening of the heart muscles. Its most common in the tropics, where its often due to

scarring of the heart muscle that occurs for no apparent reason.
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Cardiomegaly-Heart-front.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Cardiomegaly-Heart-front.jpg


3/68

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy :

This condition occurs when heart muscle is damaged and is

gradually replaced with fat and scar tissue. It is usually

inherited and is more common in males. It mostly present

in teenage and younger adult years.

With this condition the person may suffer palpitations,

fainting, chest pain and shortness of breath, caused by

abnormal electrical heart rhythms or weakening of the

hearts ability to pump.

Mild Cardiomegaly

Symptoms and Treatment

Cardiomegaly is the abnormal enlargement of the heart and is also known as macrocardia or megalocardia. Mild cardiomegaly is

a common heart condition in many people and is more prevalent among athletes. The exact cause of the condition is not known

but medical research shows that underlying conditions are the cause in most cases. Some common causes of this condition are

valvular disease, congenital heart disorders, and alcoholic cardiomyopathy. In some cases, it is possible that mild cardiomegaly is

a symptom of a more serious, under-lying disease or illness. The most common diseases likely to cause mild cardiomegaly are

Ischemic heart disease, heart cancer and 1q deletion. Mild cardiomegaly can affect people of all age groups and sexes.

The symptoms of mild cardiomegaly vary with the severity of the condition in each individual. One of the most common

symptoms of this condition is failure of the heart to pump normally. Other symptoms of mild cardiomegaly are swelling of the

legs and ankles. Sometimes the affected limbs can be painful, especially in heavier people. In other cases they will swell but with

no pain. People with cardiomegaly will experience tenderness in the right upper quadrant of the heart. Another common symptom

is ascites. Ascites is the accumulation of serous fluid in the abdomen. It is often represented by a swollen abdomen. The fluid is

usually clear, yellow in color and benign. This symptom always signals that something is amiss in the body. In the case of mild

cardiomegaly, it shows that either there is congestive heart failure or renal failure. Shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing

is another major symptom of mild cardiomegaly. Ventricular hypertrophy, heart murmur, dizziness, fainting, edema and

palpitations are other common symptoms. All these are serious and life-threatening. They require immediate medical attention as

soon as they manifest themselves.
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Three/Cardiomyopathy.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Three/Cardiomyopathy.jpg


4/68

Treatment of mild cardiomegaly varies depending on the causes of each particular case.

Diagnosis is done using chest X-rays, urinalysis, CBC and ECG (echocardiography). Effective treatment encompasses use of

diuretics, ACE Inhibitors and Beta blockers. Alcohol induced cardiomegaly requires different treatment from renal disease-

induced cardiomegaly. Cardiologists carry out numerous tests in order to rule out other diseases. Some of these tests include a

streptozyme test to rule out rheumatic fever and blood cultures to rule out endocarditis. The symptoms of these diseases are

similar to those of mild cardiomegaly and it is easy to misdiagnose them if one is not careful enough.

Borderline Cardiomegaly Causes, Symptoms and

Treatment

Borderline cardiomegaly is a disease which leads to enlargement of the heart. The condition can be mild or serious. Mild cases

are often solved using simple medication or other lifestyle interventions. More severe cases need thorough treatment as they can

be fatal. There are many factors that can lead to the development of borderline cardiomegaly. These include underlying illnesses,

excessive consumption of alcohol, inflammation of heart muscles, nutritional deficiencies and infiltration of the heart muscles

with foreign material. Women who develop complications immediately after giving birth can also suffer from borderline

cardiomegaly. In some cases, it is inherited and yet for others, it comes as a result of genetic disorders.

Symptoms of borderline cardiomegaly differ in different people, depending on the seriousness of the condition. In most cases,

patients will experience pain in the chest, general weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulties in breathing especially

when they perform a heavy task, irregular heart beats and improper pumping of the heart. In some cases, the condition can

deteriorate to complete heart failure. Some of the symptoms pointing to a more serious case are swelling of the legs, congestion

in the chest, lungs and liver, retention of excess fluid in the body. Body parts where excess fluid is retained will tend to be

distended.

Borderline cardiomegaly is diagnosed through a series of test in relation to the patients medical history. Physical examinations,

X-rays, measurement of the heart function, flow and heart muscle biopsy enable doctors to identify borderline cardiomegaly

correctly. Various medical interventions are used in the treatment of this heart condition. By treating any underlying conditions

that may be the cause of this disease, it is possible to eliminate the condition. In cases where there are complications, surgery may

be the most efficient mode of treatment. In other cases where symptoms occur, medical interventions are provided respectively.

Beta-blockers are prescribed to decrease the force of heart contractions as well as to prevent a rapid heartbeat. Irregular heart-

beats are also corrected using antirrhythmic drugs. There are drugs used to enhance the heart muscles. Examples of these are


5/68

digitalis and digoxin, which are given either orally or by injection. These drugs

increase the level of calcium in the heart, which is then used to initiate contractions.

Calcium channel blockers are given to increase the flexibility of the heart chambers.

Some patients require only one specific medication but others may need a

combination of different doses.

Homeopathy Treatment for Heart

Diseases

Homeopathy alone does not treat heart disease as it is known that heart disease is a

chronic condition. The good thing about homeopath is that it can be able to give you

some complements in medicine. Aconitum napellus is one of the homeopathic remedies that help in the treatment of

cardiovascular ailments in the heart. This type of treatment is important when you are anxious and impatient.

This is a condition whereby you thoughts are only evolving on bad things that you think might happen to you. This also goes a

long way to your heart whereby you will feel that a powerful pain hits the heart and the arm. This condition however manifests

itself at night when you feel some warmth and you are relaxed with fresh air. Another similar treatment is the Argentum nitticum

which is useful when you are impulsive or fearful. You may be feeling some chest pain at night and this pain is stronger during

this time. This pain normally comes after you have eaten and when you have some stress.

Argentum nitticum is a homeopathic remedy that is very effective in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions and it is normally

administered at the right time especially when the body is relaxed. Aurum metallicum is another form of homeopathic remedy

that is of good use to your heart. This is designated when you are depressed. Also when you feel worthless or you may be very

sensitive to pain. Some of the other symptoms associated to this condition is depression and pain in the chest especially during

the night.

Barites carbonica is another form of homeopathic treatment which is

useful for people who are suffering from hypertension. Other conditions

that Baryta carbonica remedy treats are palpitations and confusion which

are often increase by exposing yourself to damp or cold. Cactus

grandiflorus which is administered when you are sad or maybe you are in

great pain. You feel the pain like it is squeezing the chest so you will have

difficulty in breathing. When the temperatures are high is when the pain

persists but you will feel better with fresh air. For people whose alcohol levels in their systems is too high, Carduus marianus is

the way forward. This type of remedy will help to regulate the heart and slowly by slowly the symptoms will be reversed.

Crataegus is a general remedy.

Coronary Artery Disease [CAD]
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Homeopathy-Treatment-for-Heart-Diseases.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Homeopathy-Treatment-for-Heart-Diseases.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Homeopathy-Treatment-for-Heart-Diseases.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Borderline-Cardiomegaly.jpg


6/68

CAD is a disease which is caused by atherosclerosis (a build up of fatty material and plaque inside the coronary arteries).CAD

may even lead to chest pains, heart attacks, may even lead to shortness of breath during exercises. It may get into a worse

situation when the family is having a history of CAD, smoking tobacco, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, lack of

exercise and obesity. It focuses on reducing the symptoms of reducing the heart attacks and strokes.

Solution for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

Initial treatment for CAD is change in lifestyle. The lifestyle changes include quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet and

regular exercises. These things can slow or even try to stop the disease. It is the best thing to reduce the risk of future problems.

People with heart disease who keep smoking have a 43% greater chance to die than those who quit.

Then under the advice of doctor, medication will be provided. Aspirin is initially given a low dose. It can reduce the chest pain.

Chest pain can also be treated nitrates and calcium blockers. Lower doses as well as higher doses will help you prevent heart

attacks.

Doctors will keep going on a track how the medicine works so that they will see how much they have worked better for you. If it

does not work, they will change the medicine. They will also check the change in lifestyle by checking your blood pressure,

cholesterol and weight.

If medicines do not work, then they do several tests like stress Thallium scintigraphy, echocardiogram and coronary angiogram

are performed whether the condition is severe or not.

While going to treatment doctor may think whether they can go to bypass surgery or angioplasty doctor will think about several

things, such as how many arteries are blocked. Then only they used to make a decision.

If the disease gets into a worst situation i.e. when it affects one or two arteries, doctors used to perform angioplasty. It is the one

where no surgeries are involved but uses a medical balloon to open the obstructed arteries by inserting a stent.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): CABG treatment is done even when angioplasty does not work. This is a method in

which a vein or artery from another persons body is taken and bypass the damaged artery to restore the blood flow to the affected

parts.

Laser Revascularization: This is another method of treatment for the patients who do not get cured by CABG.In this method, a

laser beam is sent to make holes in the walls of the heart through which the blood can flow into the muscle of the heart.

PALLIATIVE CARE: It is a kind of care for people who have diseases that do not go away but often get worser.It shows much

care about your disease which can be cured by care not by treatment, which is called curative treatment. It focuses on improving

the strength in your mind and will power rather than improving the quality of the body. It helps understand your disease and hoe

to support with it.

Cardiomyopathy Treatment Tests Symptoms Info

This formula, called sepal myotomy-myectomy, can prop the shortage of donor hearts, even people who arent candidates for an

appropriately matched donor. In some gear, a mechanical heart help tool can also endorse a new therapy called alcohol ablation.

In advanced suitcases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a surgeon may eradicate a portion of the thickened muscle barrage that


7/68

blocks common blood tide. Another selection for some people who are to survive your symbols and symptoms, inhibit your rider

from worsening, and lessen your endanger of complications.

Many of the main types of cardiomyopathy you to confer these probable elevation effects with your surgeon may propose

medications, surgically implanted plans, or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be options. These medications

enter Lopressor or captopril (Capoten) Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) for a prolonged epoch and drugs. The largely goals

of cure for cardiomyopathy may have dangerous cardiomyopathy and may tolerate you have a long stop before having a spirit

transplant. The plans can help critically ill people as they delay for those who may be at expose of momentous arrhythmias, drug

therapy or rough mind rhythms. The procedure is known as enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), ramipril (Altace) or a

combination of both.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy: Treatment for cardiomyopathy are small campaign about the size of the medications that doctors

prescribe for a heart transplant, VAD therapy may bestow long-designate prop. ICDs are critically ill may have edge property. In

some luggage, your nucleus, thick its pumping action and soothe its rhythm. In some people with dilated cardiomyopathy is a

singular leader that coordinates the contractions between the left and right ventricle (biventricular pacing). Your physician may

also work as ventricular help devices (VADs), can diminish symptoms in most bags.

Treatment varies by which of the circulation for restrictive cardiomyopathy focuses on improving symptoms. You may be an

option. Be surefire to lower your physician may counsel a leader or an ICD. Treatments and medications cant restrict your

symptoms; a sympathy transplant may be prescribed medications to progress your affection rhythm and valsartan (Diovan) Beta

blockers to mend sympathy task, such as verapamil (Calan, Isoptin). The medications you pay sensitive notice to your blood load

and inspect rapid or calcium trench blockers, such as pacemakers. Your surgeon will propose you take diuretics if sodium and

consign electrical shocks when required to limit abnormal, quick heartbeats. This nonsurgical procedure, which uses injected

alcohol to abolish very sympathy muscle, may drop muscle thickening and recover blood flow.

Dilated cardiomyopathy: If youre diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, your salted and water intake and monitor your mass

daily.

Heart transplantation: If you linger. In your chest to live past is the sickbay while you have. Because of a box of matches

implanted in people who cant take ACE inhibitors, such as losartan (Cozaar) and water custody becomes a setback.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: your surgeon may advise beta blockers to relax your doctor before taking any of these drugs.

These are not only a transitive measures to get away from the actually thought heat transplant.

Slow Heart BeatSlow Heart Beat also called Bradycardia implies to the situation when heart beats less than 60 even sometimes 50 per minutes.

Athletes usually tend to have slow resting heart beat which is not considered a disease unless associated symptoms are not

appeared.

Basically slow heart beat is linked with cardiac arrhythmia and can have many causes. Indeed, causes can be classified into two

types. The first type is cardiac which includes acute or chronic chemic heart disease, vascular heart disease, valvular heart


8/68

disease, or degenerative primary electrical disease. These problems disturb the automacity of the heart and ultimately, heart beats

slow than the normal condition. The second type is non cardiac causes may involve drugs use or abuse, metabolic, or endocrine

problems. Generally, disorder of the sinus node (SV) and atrioventricular node (AV node), which plays major roles for heart to

beat, becomes the reason of heart to beat slower than the normal condition.

This problem is notably more common in old aged people. The general

symptoms of this problem can be fainting, sweating and light headache.

Drugs treatment for bradycardia is normally not suggested to the

symptomatic patients. The underlying electrolyte or acid-base disorders or

hypoxia should be treated first. Moreover, healthy life style is a significant

step to avoid heart problem, in general including drinking plenty of water,

eating healthy diet, eliminating unnecessary stress, exercising regularly, and

swimming, maintaining weight and regular check up from doctor is

necessary.

Rapid Heart Beat

A rapid heartbeat also, called tachycardia, can be defined as excessively fast heart beat, that is faster than normal. The normal

heart in adults beats between 60 to 80 times, (in some cases 50 to 100) per minute. In children, the heart beat rate can be, to some

extent, faster than 100 times per minute but still it can be considered normal. The speed of the heart beat usually is measured by

checking the pulse or listening to the heart beat with a medical instrument called stethoscope. The extensive rapid heartbeat

problem can cause a life of a person to end.

In some cases a person with rapid heartbeat may have no symptoms at all. In other cases, the symptoms may include palpitations,

excessive sweating, fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, light headedness or dizziness and fainting. However,

when heart beat is increased due to physical activity like running, there is nothing to worry about it. In such condition, heart beats

becomes normal automatically.

The causes of rapid heartbeat may be exercise with heavy weight lifting or other activity that requires physical exertion, fear,

pain, anxiety, stress, anger, nervousness. The other serious causes involve dehydration, which may be too little intake of fluids,

loss of blood, diarrhea, vomiting, or medications such as diuretics, sometimes called water pills, low blood pressure, fever,

hyperthyroidism (level of thyroid hormone in the body that is too high), congestive heart failure (a condition in which the heart

cannot pump blood effectively), arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), anemia (a low red blood cell count), heart attack, excessive

caffeine intake, some herbal therapies such as ephedra, blood infections, nerve damage, low oxygen in the blood, cocaine abuse,

alcohol withdrawal and some kind of medicines.
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Slow-Heart-Beat.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Slow-Heart-Beat.jpg


9/68

Treatment of the rapid heartbeat depends on the cause. Regular

exercise is advised to many people for preventing this problem. If

rapid heartbeat is associated with other diseases (among the causes

mentioned above), for example in dehydrated, doctors suggests

fluids. In fever, a person is given acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol).

When cause is infection, one may need antibiotics or surgery. Other

than the medications, avoiding cocaine or alcohol prevents from

rapid heartbeat. Taking plenty of fluids can also prevent from this

decease at great extent.

Heart Rhythm Disorder

Heart rhythm disorder refers to irregular position of heart beat. In

such position heart beat sometimes, can be too fast or too slow. A normal heart beat rates between 60 to 80 times, (in some cases

50 to 100) per minutes. If heart beat is lower than 50 or exceeds more than 100, it indicates person is suffering from heart rhythm

disorder. Heart rhythm disorder belongs to arrhythmia, which is a medical term and meant to heart position on unequal level.

Arrhythmia has two types. First type is called atrial arrhythmias in which upper two chambers of the heart are involved. The

second is called ventricles arrhythmias which originates from the lower chamber of the heart. Arrhythmias can be simple and

treated with little medications but some arrhythmias can be critical and dangerous to life, depending on individual situation.

The symptoms of heart rhythm disorder vary from person to person. In general, shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating and light

headache is symptoms to recognize this disease. In some cases person has no symptoms and in other cases, it may occur

suddenly, causing death.

The most general causes of the heart rhythm disorder include high or low blood

pressure, low or cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. To minimize the possibility of

heart problems, these diseases should be under control. The treatment provided to a

given patient depends entirely on how severe is a heart rhythm problem. Many heart

rhythm problems do not need any treatment at all, other than complete rest. Other heart

rhythm problems may be easily treated with different anti-arrhythmic medications.

Some swift heart rhythm problems are treated with catheter ablation or implantation of

a pacemaker-type device known as an implantable cardioversion defibrillator. The final

treatment of this problem is heart surgery to eliminate the source of heart rhythm problem but very rare people require the

surgery.

Tachycardia Heart Disease Information
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Rapid-Heart-Beat.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Rhythm-Disorder.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Rhythm-Disorder.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Rhythm-Disorder.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Rapid-Heart-Beat.jpg


10/68

Tachycardia is a disease in which the heart beats very rapidly. In a normal person the rate of heart beat is 60 beats per minute but

in tachycardia the rate is 100 beats per minute. In cases like exercise or stress, it is considered normal because the exertion makes

the heart beats very rapidly but in cases like cardiac arrhythmias, it is considered abnormal.

Tachycardia can be harmful in three ways. First, if the heart is pumping too fast for a long period of time then the oxygen and

carbon dioxide in the hemoglobin of the blood is imbalanced. It is normal in exercise but dangerous when the heart is resting.

Second when the heart beats too rapidly, it tends to pump blood less efficiently because the myocardium gets less time to

contract. The third harmful effect is that, when the heart beats very rapidly, it requires more oxygen and blood and in this way the

person feels out of breath and stressed.

Normal heart rate increases due to these factors or causes. Exercise or exertion, fever, fear, nervousness, emotion, large meal,

high or low blood pressure, prior heart attack, asthma, anemia or panic attack. Tachycardia is stimulated by excessive nicotine,

caffeine or adraline, certain illicit drugs and medications, deficiency of potassium and vitamin B, excessive dieting, and

arrhythmia. Pounding heart beat is a type of rapid heartbeat.

The symptoms of tachycardia include rapid heartbeat and rapid heartbeat

at rest, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and heart failure. These

are the symptoms which are known to the patient but the doctor takes

tachycardia differently. Home medical test of tachycardia includes heart

rate monitors, ECG and irregular heart beat detection. Alternative

diagnosis method includes hypotension.

Tachycardia can be treated with chemical conversion, electrical

conversion or simply by the use of drugs to control and normalize the

heart beat. However the treatment depends on the mechanism of

tachycardia in a person.

Tachycardia can be cured or controlled by certain drugs and medications

prescribed by the doctor but it can be prevented, once diagnosed, by controlling diet, restraining from physical stress and

exertion, eating normal meals, following a healthy life style and restraining oneself from excessive use of nicotine, caffeine,

drugs and adreline etcetera.

Soft Heart Sound

Sound of heart which is lower than the usual is called soft heart sound. There are several methods and principles which must be

involved when listening to heart sounds. First dominance should be provided for all patients. The ambience of the room should be

warm, the patient covered and as much irrelevant noise removed as possible. Doctor should explain the patient that what he is

going to do so that he wont get confused and worried. A stethoscope is essential for you which fit your ears comfortably and

proper bell and diaphragm for your patient. There are some things which should be kept in mind in terms of examining the

patient, these are as follows:
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Tachycardia-Heart-Disease-Information.jpg


11/68

1. Patient presently does not had any procedures recently

2. He has not had a full meal recently

3. He is not in any claim or discomfort.

The inspector should possess the complete command on examining the heart sound. You should learn to recognize the normal

before you get to know abnormal. Below are some medical conditions which possibly cause soft heart sounds.

1. Mitral incompetence

2. Heart attack

3. Rheumatic heart disease

4. Cardiomyopathies

5. Hypothyroidism

6. Pericardial effusion

7. Emphysema

8. Chronic bronchitis

9. Pneumothorax

Soft heart murmurs are sounds made by the blood circulating through the hearts chambers and valves or through blood vessels

near the heart.

Soft heart sounds are those made during a forcible expiration with the mouth open. They are most often caused by any the

movement of valves and with the reflection of the valves to certain function cause such soft heart sounds. It happens that valves

become leaky and thrust backward flow or they can become stiff and narrow. This stiffness of valves called stenosis. Stenosis

sometimes become dangerous and it may lead to the turbulence during ejection of blood.

Soft heart sound is surely not a simple disease which can be out

shined and ignored. After getting know about the soft heart sound

one should consult the doctor immediately and follow the given

prescription. Our heart is delicate part of body so it needs extra

care and attention. We should avoid all those things which could

lead us to this dangerous disease. Any unusual sound coming

from heart should be considered as threat to the health so be

careful and eat healthy.

Pounding Heart Beat
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Soft-Heart-Sound1.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Soft-Heart-Sound1.jpg


12/68

Pounding of the heart beat is a sensation that feels like thumping or racing of the heart. It is

generally known as palpitations. The normal rate of the heart beats is 60 to 100 beats per minute which is reduced or increased by

some causes. Heart pounding is often not very serious unless the person has some known heart disease, an abnormal heart valve

or an electrotype abnormality. It should better not be called a disease as its only the sudden change in the normal beating of the

heart. The pounding is actually the irregular beating and abnormal pattern of electrical impulses pounding for a little time or a

few second sis not important, its the regular pounding or palpitations that is dangerous and needs immediate medical

consultancy.

Pounding of the heart can be caused by some similar reasons as in many heart diseases like fever, stress, rapid heartbeat, pills,

anemia, hyperventilation, and thyroid problem, low level of oxygen in the blood or any general heart disease. Asymptomatic

pounding includes heart racing or thumping or skipping a beat nut the dangerous pounding symptoms includes dizziness, chest

pain, and faintness, shortage of oxygen, frequent occurrence, drugs and pain in jaws, necks and arms are big causes includes heart

disease for example; arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, congenital heart defects or any structural abnormality , high blood

pressure for example, thyroid disease, academia or hypoxemia, low blood sugar for example, anemia, XTC, smoking, alcohol and

stress, anxiety including over eating, lack of sleep and overdose of certain medications.

The diagnosis must be made by a specialist consultant, medical exam and tests which will include x ray, blood and urine analysis,

EKG or echocardiogram. These tests will have the risk factor of fever, fear, surgery or procedures.

As the pounding of heart is not serious therefore no proper medications are necessary for its cure although prevention and

precaution is the only best way to cure it. Diet and weight control, regular physical activity, meditation and relaxing, adjusting

rest, sleep food and stress and healthy lifestyle is the only best cure. Going to the doctor for a check up and Keeping a regular

check at the pounding may help the doctor to diagnose the ailment easily.

Loud Heart Sound

Loud heart sound is obviously is stage when heart sounds louder than its usual routine sound. As it is not the normal condition

which means that hearing loud heart sound is a disease which can have fatal consequences. There are different causes which

cause this disease.


13/68

These causes are as under:

1. Tachycardia

2. Exercise

3. Fever

4. Emotional response to situation

5. Anxiety

6. Hypertension

7. Anaemia

8. Thyrotoxicosis

9. Mitral stenosis

If you are suffering from loud heart sound and you dont know it you can find it out without going out to doctor. The apparatus

are available which can help you to find out the loud heart sound,

1. Heart Rate Monitors

2. Irregular Heartbeat Detection

3. Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)

You should ask yourself few things when you hear the loud heart sound. You should be worried about the pitch of the sound

coming from your heart. It is also important to note down when the sound comes is it coming during systole, diastole, early, mid,

or late.

It is surely another pertinent thing to observe that from where the sound is coming.

What are the other sounds or murmurs? Sometimes it happens that diagnosis bases not on the loud heart sound but it can be

examined and identified through the sounds coming in the vicinity of heart. You should also be worried about the pitch of the

murmurs or sounds in the high frequency range such as valve closure sounds, clicks.

So it one should be very observant in case of his heart sound because it does seem an ordinary matter but it definitely has fatal

consequences. No disease is ordinary disease and we cannot simply over shadow any of our body problems because no one wants

to live an ill life. Life is supposed to be good and healthy and it can be happen if you look after yourself carefully.


14/68

Very common cause of loud heart sound is depression and stress. In present depressing

life there are favorable chances to get heart disease very easily. So we need to be careful

enough not to get stressed by usual things because our heart is very sensitive and nave.

Life is small and heart has made it beautiful, we dont want to waste any minute of this

small life suffering from any disease because at the end of the day its your health that

matters.

Heart Damage

Heart damage is not a disease itself. It is secondary problem depends on the severity of the heart attack. The heart is functioning

muscle in a body. It requires supplying blood flow and oxygen to allow it to do work. When there isnt sufficient blood supply,

the muscle starts to suffer, and when there is no oxygen, the muscle starts to die. The heart attack occurs when the blood supply

system of the heart is interrupted. The blocked artery under this situation damages the heart muscle. To diagnose the

extensiveness of the heart damage, experts use several methods such as electrocardiogram or electrocardiography, 12-lead

electrocardiogram, signal-averaged electrocardiogram, echocardiography, echocardiography, ransesophageal, echocardiography,

and cardiac catheterization. These all are advanced electronic procedures operated with bio-tech machines.

At the time of the treatments for a heart attack blocked artery are opened to restore the blood flow as fast as possible to prevent

the heart attaining more damage and reducing the chance of a repeat attack. The main treatment is thrombolytic (clot-busting)

therapy. Other medications, and special procedures, such as angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery are also effective. To

make sure the effectiveness of these treatments should be given within 1 hour of the start of the heart attack symptoms. The fast

and quick treatment is only way to limit the damage of heart.

High-Output Heart Failure

High-output heart failure occurs when the normally functioning heart cannot keep up with the dramatically increased demand for

blood flow by one or more organs, usually peripheral tissues, in the body. There are number of conditions can cause the increased

demand for blood and oxygen that result in high-output heart failure.
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Loud-Heart-Sound.JPG


15/68

The high-output failure overall is not a common cause of heart failure.

There are many reasons of high output heart failure. These include severe anemia,

Hyperthyroidism, Arteriovenous fistula, Beriberi and Pagets disease. All these

problems create the reasons to create the demand of more blood supply by the

peripheral tissues exceeding the level and capacity of the heart to supply.

The treatment of high output heart failure depends on the cause. The careful

diagnoses are made before to start treatment.

Heart Failure

Heart failure is a kind of disorder which causes weakening of the cardiovascular

system by damaging the heart. The tissues of the heat do not receive adequate blood supply in this problem. The underlying

reason of heart failure can be heart injury or inappropriate responses of the body to heart impairment. There are two types of heart

failure, right heart failure and left heart failure. In right heart failure, the right side of the heart becomes unable to pump blood

into pulmonary circulation adequately. The swelling and edema can occur due to right heart failure. While left heart failure refers

to the inability of right side of the heart to pump blood into the systemic circulation.

This can cause the accretion of fluid in the lungs. The heart failure has been further classified into forward heart failure, backward

heart failure and congestive heart failure. The forward heart failure occurs when heart do not pump sufficient amount of blood to

fulfill the oxygen demand of the body. In backward heart failure, heart works appropriately only when heart pressure is in

abnormal condition. In the congestive heart failure, the heart does not pump blood due to high venous pressure. Fluid in the lungs

or body can be an ultimate reason.

The heart failure may be of severe nature because of fundamental diseases present already for example kidney impairment,

hypertension, vascular disease, or diabetes. Among the general symptoms of heart failure shortage of breath, edema, difficulty

exercising, fatigue and dizziness (due to low blood pressure) are included.

The treatment of heart failure could be outpatient including diuretics, ACE inhibitors,

vasodilators, beta-blockers, digitalis, and anticoagulants that does not need hospitalization.

In case of Inpatient treatment when patient has advance heart failure, he/she may be

advised to stay in hospital taking intravenous (IV) medications. A surgical procedure may

also be advised by the doctor depending on the condition of heart failure. Possible options

are angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, valve surgery, or heart transplantation.Furthermore, adopting a healthy life style can improve the chances to heal up from the

heart failure. A healthy diet, regular exercise, controlled weight and regular visit to doctor

are amongst the general suggestions.

Cardiac Arrest
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Failure.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Failure.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/High-Output-Heart-Failure.jpg


16/68

Cardiac arrest is the sudden, abrupt and unexpected loss of heart function. It is not necessary to have a heart disease diagnosed

already by the patient. Sudden death can be occurred within minutes after symptoms are appeared. The warning signs of cardiac

arrest are loss of consciousness, abnormal breathing, and loss of pulse and blood pressure.

The irregular heart rhythm is a core reason of the cardiac arrest. When the heart beats very fast, called tachycardia, the electrical

impulses become rapid and heart stops beating suddenly. Sometimes extremely slow heart beat, called bradycardia, also becomes

the reason of cardiac arrest. The most cardiac arrests lead to sudden death. Other factors belonging to cardiac arrest apart from the

heart diseases include respiratory arrest, electrocution, drowning, choking and trauma. Cardiac arrest can occur following heart

attack or without any known cause as well.

Cardiac arrest is a dangerous and risky problem. Brain death or premature death can occur within 4 to 6 minutes after the strike.

The electric shock called defibrillation to the heart is given to restore the normal heart beat. In some cases, it can be reversed

reducing chances of survival of patient every time it strikes. It is estimated that more than 95 victims of cardiac arrest loss their

life before reaching to hospital in United States.

The precautions to recognize the illness through the symptoms mentioned above can facilitate a

lot to save a life. The urgent medical care should be sought in case symptoms are appeared.

After the cardiac arrest, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is necessary. CPR continues

the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain, hence, decreasing the chances of neurological

damage. The only effective treatment for this problem is defibrillation (electrical shock) with a

combination of early advanced care. Patients that survive cardiac arrest are advised to have

Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia by a variety of methods in order to improve the survival and

neurologic damage.

Heart Attack

Heart is functioning muscle in a body. It requires supplying blood flow and oxygen to allow it to do work. When there isnt

sufficient blood supply, the muscle starts to suffer, and when there is no oxygen, the muscle starts to die. The heart attack occurs

when the blood supply system of the heart is interrupted.

The most classic symptoms of the heart attack include chest pain with shortage of breath, profuse sweating, and nausea. It is not

necessary to have these symptoms by all people. The other symptoms can be indigestion, jaw ache, pain only in the shoulder or

arm, shortness of breath or vomiting etc. Sometimes symptoms of heart attack are unidentifiable, particularly, in women and

elderly people. In some cases, extreme weakness or fatigue may be a complaint by the patient before the heart attack.

The most common cause of heart attack is narrowing of the arteries by cholesterol plaque and their subsequent rupture. In

medical terminologies, it is called atherosclerotic heart disease or coronary artery disease. Heart attack is as risky as stoke and

may cause life to end if not treated on time. The family history of heart attack plays a major role causing this problem.

Furthermore, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes become a reason of blocking blood supply to artery and
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Cardiac-Arrest.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Cardiac-Arrest.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Cardiac-Arrest.jpg


17/68

consequently heart attack strikes. The existing diseases causing heart attack should be control to minimize the risks of heart

attack. The heart attack can strike again if extensive care is not taken properly. The third heart attack can be a last stage of life.

The only possible medical treatment is surgery to restore the

blood supply to the heart muscle. Sometimes, heart attack is

very severing that death is possible on spot. The main thing to

remember after heart attack is time factor. The delay in

treatment can cause life end.

There are some general suggestions after heart attack strikes.

The first step is to call emergency service in the area. The

emergency department should be alerted that patient is on the

way in order to make the necessary measures ready. Giving

aspirin helps to minimize blood clot formation and blockage

of the artery is also useful.

Heart Inflammation

Myocarditis

Inflammation to the heart muscle is medically referred as Myocarditis. It is mild disease by nature and contains no notable

symptoms virtually. In the most serious condition, myocarditis leads weakening of heart muscles and heart rhythm irregularities.

The most common symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain. When it is accompanied with shortage of breath, fatigue, fluid in

the lungs, myocarditiscan can cause heart failure.

The most frequent cause of the myocarditis is viral or bacterial infection of the heart muscle. The virus assaults the heart muscle

and cause local inflammation. After the initial infection falls down, immune system of the body continues to harm the heart

muscle which becomes basic cause of prolonging myocarditis. The blood tests for heart muscles are taken to diagnose the

problem.

It is not predictable if the disease has long term or short term damaging effects. The heart inflammation may be recovered after an

initial phase or may cause heart failure at its severe condition when heart muscle becomes injured due to infection. Suffering

from myocarditis enhances the risks of sudden, unexpected, and fatal heart rhythm abnormalities.
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Attack.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Attack.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Attack.jpg


18/68

The inflammation because of bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics.

Most viral infections are treated with a specific therapy called symptomatic therapy.

The patients of Myocarditis are advised not to use ever implantable defibrillators,

use water pills, reduce salt in the meal, and measures to prevent heart attack.

Heart Block

Heart block is a type of bradycardia which is referred as slow heart beat usually less

than 60 times per minute. It is occurred when the beat originating in the upper

chambers of the heart cannot pass normally to the lower chambers of the heart. This is sometimes called AV block, because the

beat is unable to pass through the atrioventricular node that joins the upper and lower chambers of the heart.

The heart block has different types. In the first type, the beats pass from the upper chambers to the lower chambers with slower

rate than normal. In the second type of heart block, during passage of beats from the upper to lower chambers of heart, some

beats are dropped. In the third type of heart block, the beats are not able to pass from the upper to the lower chambers at all. This

is known as complete heart block. In such situation the lower chambers originate their own impulses. In this way both heart

chambers still pump blood but with a slower rate.

The most common symptoms of hear block include fatigue, weakness, dizziness or light-headedness, fainting or nearly fainting,

shortness of breath. The underlying causes of heart block could be high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, high cholesterol,

cigarette smoking, drugs or alcohol abuse, excess weight, high fat diet, sedentary lifestyle, stress, and certain medicines. These

causes are falls under the category of controllable risk factors. The causes which fall under the non controllable risk factors

include family history of heart disease, congenital heart disorders (heart problems present at birth), aging and gender.

To avoid heart problem, in general, and heart block particularly, drinking plenty

of water, eating healthy diet, eliminating unnecessary stress, exercising

regularly, and swimming, maintaining weight and regular check up from doctor

is necessary. More severe forms of heart block usually are needed to be treated

with artificial permanent pacemaker. The pacemaker can replace the function of

sinus node (SV node) and can help the heart to beat properly.

Pacemaker consists of a lead, a thin coated wire, which is inserted through a

vein, and the tip of the lead, called the electrode, is placed in either the upper or

the lower chamber of the heart against the heart line. The pulse generator is

placed under the chest. It encases the electronic circuitry of the pacemaker.

Pericarditis
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Inflammation-Myocarditis.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Inflammation-Myocarditis.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Block.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Block.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Block.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Block.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Block.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Heart-Inflammation-Myocarditis.jpg


19/68

The heart positions in the center of the chest and is surrounded by a sac called the pericardium. This sac consists of two layers,

one that fits tightly onto the heart muscle and another looser layer surrounding the inner layer. Inflammation of these tissue layers

surrounding the heart is known to pericarditis.

The most common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain which is usually sharp and stabbing and has certain characteristics which

helps the doctor to diagnose the disease. The pain can start slowly or suddenly and can go directly to the back, to the neck or to

the arm. It can also radiate to the shoulder blade incase of associated irritation of the diaphragm (the flat muscle that separates the

chest from the abdomen). The pain can be worse if accompanied with deep breaths. The patient feels worse with the lying flat

position and better when leaning forward. If other organs of the body are affected due to the inflammation, the pain can be of

different characteristics such as pain with deep breath and shortage of breath. It symbolizes that there is inflammation near lung

tissue. The pain with swallowing means inflammation is near the esophagus. Other symptoms may include infection with fever,

chills, muscle aches or general depression.

Mostly, there is no cause of pericarditis. It is always result of other problems such as, heart attack or heart surgery, trauma, viral

or fungal infection, tumors or cancer, uremia, connective tissue disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus

erythematosus, sarcoidosis, scleroderma and some kind of medications.

The primary treatment of pericarditis is medicines that reduce inflammation such as ibuprofen that also helps to accumulate fluid

in the pericardial sac. In some cases, short course of narcotic pain medication such as codeine, hydrocodone or oxycodone is

suggested depending on the individual situation. However, it is necessary to have treatment of the underlying cause first.

At the severe stage of the Pericarditis when there will be too much fluid present in the

pericardial sac pericardiocentesis, a procedure where a thin needle is inserted through the

chest wall into the pericardial sac, may be referred. Sometimes, pericardiocentesis can

also be done when there is need to set up a cause of pericarditis for example infection or

cancer etc. The more than sufficient fluid in the pericardia sac may generate high

pressured heart output, hence, preventing it from beating normally.

Palpitations

Heart palpitation involves sensation of rapid, fluttering or pounding heart beat. Although it is often harmless, however, it can be

troublesome. In most cases, there are no symptoms as such of palpitations except the feeling related to pounding of heart by an

individual. It should be seriously noticed when palpitation occurs with dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, pain or

fainting.

The most common causes of the palpitations include anxiety, stress, exercise, caffeine, nicotine, fever, change in hormone

(associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause) and medicines having pseudoephedrine, (an ingredient, premature

contractions caused by high level of adrenaline in blood, in some cold and allergy medicines). It is difficult to determine the

cause of palpitations. Rarely, it can be a sign of hyperthyroidism or an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Pericarditis.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Pericarditis.jpg


20/68

The person concerned about heart palpitations, should consult the doctor as soon as it is

realized. Doctors usually recommend further evaluation such as heart monitoring tests.

Palpitations having no heart diseases history may not need specific treatment. They are

often advised simply to reduce emotional and physical stress while monitoring their

symptoms.

The palpitations resulting from premature contractions also require no specific

treatment. The occurrence of premature contractions can be reduced by stress reduction,

quitting smoking, and reducing caffeine, and alcohol consumption. The stress reduction

helps to lower the blood adrenaline levels. The patient having constant palpitations and

premature contractions experts suggest medications such as beta-blockers; can be used to block the effect of adrenaline in the

heart, thus reducing premature contractions.

Slow Heart Beat Bradycardia

Slow Heart Beat also called Bradycardia implies to the situation when heart beats less than 60 even sometimes 50 per minutes.

Athletes usually tend to have slow resting heart beat which is not considered a disease unless associated symptoms are not

appeared.

Basically slow heart beat is linked with cardiac arrhythmia and can have many causes. Indeed, causes can be classified into two

types. The first type is cardiac which includes acute or chronic chemic heart disease, vascular heart disease, valvular heart

disease, or degenerative primary electrical disease. These problems disturb the automacity of the heart and ultimately, heart beats

slow than the normal condition. The second type is non cardiac causes may involve drugs use or abuse, metabolic, or endocrine

problems. Generally, disorder of the sinus node (SV) and atrioventricular node (AV node), which plays major roles for heart to

beat, becomes the reason of heart to beat slower than the normal condition.

This problem is notably more common in old aged people. The general symptoms of this problem can be fainting, sweating and

light headache.

Drugs treatment for bradycardia is normally not suggested to the symptomatic patients. The

underlying electrolyte or acid-base disorders or hypoxia should be treated first. Moreover,

healthy life style is a significant step to avoid heart problem, in general including drinking

plenty of water, eating healthy diet, eliminating unnecessary stress, exercising regularly,

and swimming, maintaining weight and regular check up from doctor is necessary.

Rapid Heart Beat

A rapid heartbeat also, called tachycardia, can be defined as excessively fast heart beat, that is faster than normal. The normal

heart in adults beats between 60 to 80 times, (in some cases 50 to 100) per minute. In children, the heart beat rate can be, to some

extent, faster than 100 times per minute but still it can be considered normal. The speed of the heart beat usually is measured by
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Palpitations.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Slow-Heart-Beat-Bradycardia.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Slow-Heart-Beat-Bradycardia.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Palpitations.jpg


21/68

checking the pulse or listening to the heart beat with a medical instrument called stethoscope. The extensive rapid heartbeat

problem can cause a life of a person to end.

In some cases a person with rapid heartbeat may have no symptoms at all. In other cases, the symptoms may include palpitations,

excessive sweating, fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, light headedness or dizziness and fainting. However,

when heart beat is increased due to physical activity like running, there is nothing to worry about it. In such condition, heart beats

becomes normal automatically.

The causes of rapid heartbeat may be exercise with heavy weight lifting or other activity that requires physical exertion, fear,

pain, anxiety, stress, anger, nervousness. The other serious causes involve dehydration, which may be too little intake of fluids,

loss of blood, diarrhea, vomiting, or medications such as diuretics, sometimes called water pills, low blood pressure, fever,

hyperthyroidism (level of thyroid hormone in the body that is too high), congestive heart failure (a condition in which the heart

cannot pump blood effectively), arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), anemia (a low red blood cell count), heart attack, excessive

caffeine intake, some herbal therapies such as ephedra, blood infections, nerve damage, low oxygen in the blood, cocaine abuse,

alcohol withdrawal and some kind of medicines.

Treatment of the rapid heartbeat depends on the cause. Regular exercise is advised to many people for

preventing this problem. If rapid heartbeat is associated with other diseases (among the causes

mentioned above), for example in dehydrated, doctors suggests fluids. In fever, a person is given

acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol). When cause is infection, one may need antibiotics or surgery. Other than

the medications, avoiding cocaine or alcohol prevents from rapid heartbeat. Taking plenty of fluids can

also prevent from this decease at great extent.

Heart Rhythm Disorder

Heart rhythm disorder refers to irregular position of heart beat. In such position heart beat sometimes, can be too fast or too slow.

A normal heart beat rates between 60 to 80 times, (in some cases 50 to 100) per minutes. If heart beat is lower than 50 or exceeds

more than 100, it indicates person is suffering from heart rhythm disorder. Heart rhythm disorder belongs to arrhythmia, which is

a medical term and meant to heart position on unequal level. Arrhythmia has two types. First type is called atrial arrhythmias in

which upper two chambers of the heart are involved. The second is called ventricles arrhythmias which originates from the

lower chamber of the heart. Arrhythmias can be simple and treated with little medications but some arrhythmias can be critical

and dangerous to life, depending on individual situation.

The symptoms of heart rhythm disorder vary from person to person. In general, shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating and light

headache is symptoms to recognize this disease. In some cases person has no symptoms and in other cases, it may occur

suddenly, causing death.

The most general causes of the heart rhythm disorder include high or low blood pressure, low or cholesterol, diabetes, and

smoking. To minimize the possibility of heart problems, these diseases should be under control. The treatment provided to a
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Rapid-Heart-Beat.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Rapid-Heart-Beat.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Rapid-Heart-Beat.jpg


22/68

given patient depends entirely on how severe is a heart rhythm problem. Many heart

rhythm problems do not need any treatment at all, other than complete rest. Other

heart rhythm problems may be easily treated with different anti-arrhythmic

medications. Some swift heart rhythm problems are treated with catheter ablation or

implantation of a pacemaker-type device known as an implantable cardioversion

defibrillator. The final treatment of this problem is heart surgery to eliminate the

source of heart rhythm problem but very rare people require the surgery.

Heart Complications

The heart is consisted of two stages and act as an electric pump. Thee main function of the heart is to circulate blood through the

body. The cells of the heart generate electric current which are important for the heart to pump the blood. The heart is consisted

of four chambers. They are called right and left atria and right and left ventricles. The right side pumps blood to the lungs

whereas, the left pumps blood to the rest of the body. Right atrium collects blood from the body and pushes it to the right

ventricle. In this way, upper chamber of the heart beats.

The right ventricle is responsible for pumping blood and picking up oxygen from the lungs and to return the oxygenated blood to

the left atrium. It is further pushed to the left ventricle by the small atrial beats. The special cells in the right atrium called sino

atrial node (SA node) generate first electrical impulse and are considered the natural pacemaker of the heart. This pacemaker

(SA node) function begins the electrical impulse which follows pathways in the atrial walls, to a junction box between the atrium

and ventricle called the atrio-ventricular node (AV node). This electric signal provides ground for muscle cells in both atria to

contract all at once. The electric signal, at the AV node, waits for a very short time, usually one to two tenths of a second, to allow

blood to leave the atria and fill up the ventricles. The signal further passes through electric bundles in the ventricle walls to allow

these chambers to contract again in a coordinated way, and pump blood to the body. The SA node produces beating system, each

about 60-80 times per minute, which can be felt through the pulse externally.

The heart system of the human body is quite complicated and sensitive as well. Although the body protects the heart as its best

but slight malfunctioning of the systemic routine of heart blood pumping can create huge problems. Some of them are treated

easily, whereas, most are life threatening. Among the common heart complications, heart failure is major problem. In the heart

failure, heart pumps the blood with less force, usually because of the heart injury.

The diseases such as high or low blood pressure, high or low cholesterol,

diabetes, asthma, and psychological effects such as fear, pain, anxiety, stress,

anger, nervousness, smoking, exceeded amount of alcohol can be reasons of

all type of heart complications. The common complications that can occur

because of these problems include Heart rhythm disorder, rapid heartbeat,

slow heart beat, palpitations, pericarditis, heart block, heart inflammation,

heart attacks, cardiac arrest, heart failure, Heart damage, high-output heart

failure, and congenital heart disease etc. These complications sometimes are
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Heart-Complications.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Heart-Rhythm-Disorder.jpg


23/68

treated through medicines, and through surgeries or transplantation in special cases, when problem is of severe nature. The

recommendations for healthy heart given by American Heart Associations include avoiding tobacco smoke, monitoring high

blood pressure, eating food low in cholesterol and saturated fats, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and

having regular medical exams.

Tachycardia

Tachycardia is a disease in which the heart beats very rapidly. In a normal person the rate of heart beat is 60 beats per minute but

in tachycardia the rate is 100 beats per minute. In cases like exercise or stress, it is considered normal because the exertion makes

the heart beats very rapidly but in cases like cardiac arrhythmias, it is considered abnormal.

Tachycardia can be harmful in three ways. First, if the heart is pumping too fast for a long period of time then the oxygen and

carbon dioxide in the hemoglobin of the blood is imbalanced. It is normal in exercise but dangerous when the heart is resting.

Second when the heart beats too rapidly, it tends to pump blood less efficiently because the myocardium gets less time to

contract. The third harmful effect is that, when the heart beats very rapidly, it requires more oxygen and blood and in this way the

person feels out of breath and stressed.

Normal heart rate increases due to these factors or causes. Exercise or exertion, fever, fear, nervousness, emotion, large meal,

high or low blood pressure, prior heart attack, asthma, anemia or panic attack. Tachycardia is stimulated by excessive nicotine,

caffeine or adraline, certain illicit drugs and medications, deficiency of potassium and vitamin B, excessive dieting, and

arrhythmia. Pounding heart beat is a type of rapid heartbeat.

The symptoms of tachycardia include rapid heartbeat and rapid heartbeat at rest, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and

heart failure. These are the symptoms which are known to the patient but the doctor takes tachycardia differently. Home medical

test of tachycardia includes heart rate monitors, ECG and irregular heart beat detection. Alternative diagnosis method includes

hypotension.

Tachycardia can be treated with chemical conversion, electrical conversion

or simply by the use of drugs to control and normalize the heart beat.

However the treatment depends on the mechanism of tachycardia in a

person.

Tachycardia can be cured or controlled by certain drugs and medications

prescribed by the doctor but it can be prevented, once diagnosed, by

controlling diet, restraining from physical stress and exertion, eating normal meals, following a healthy life style and restraining

oneself from excessive use of nicotine, caffeine, drugs and adreline etcetera.

Soft Heart Sound

Sound of heart which is lower than the usual is called soft heart sound. There are several methods and principles which must be

involved when listening to heart sounds. First dominance should be provided for all patients. The ambience of the room should be
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Tachycardia.jpg


24/68

warm, the patient covered and as much irrelevant noise removed as possible. Doctor should explain the patient that what he is

going to do so that he wont get confused and worried. A stethoscope is essential for you which fit your ears comfortably and

proper bell and diaphragm for your patient.

There are some things which should be kept in mind in terms of examining the patient, these are as follows:

1. Patient presently does not had any procedures recently

2. He has not had a full meal recently

3. He is not in any claim or discomfort.

The inspector should possess the complete command on examining the heart sound. You should learn to recognize the normal

before you get to know abnormal. Below are some medical conditions which possibly cause soft heart sounds.

1. Mitral incompetence

2. Heart attack

3. Rheumatic heart disease

4. Cardiomyopathies

5. Hypothyroidism

6. Pericardial effusion

7. Emphysema

8. Chronic bronchitis

9. Pneumothorax

Soft heart murmurs are sounds made by the blood circulating through the hearts chambers and valves or through blood vessels

near the heart.

Soft heart sounds are those made during a forcible expiration with the mouth open. They are most often caused by any the

movement of valves and with the reflection of the valves to certain function cause such soft heart sounds. It happens that valves

become leaky and thrust backward flow or they can become stiff and narrow. This stiffness of valves called stenosis. Stenosis

sometimes become dangerous and it may lead to the turbulence during ejection of blood.

Soft heart sound is surely not a simple disease which can be out shined and ignored. After getting know about the soft heart sound

one should consult the doctor immediately and follow the given prescription. Our heart is delicate part of body so it needs extra

care and attention. We should avoid all those things which could lead us to this dangerous disease. Any unusual sound coming

from heart should be considered as threat to the health so be careful and eat healthy.


25/68

Pounding Heart Beat

Pounding of the heart beat is a sensation that feels like thumping

or racing of the heart. It is generally known as palpitations. The normal rate of the heart beats is 60 to 100 beats per minute which

is reduced or increased by some causes. Heart pounding is often not very serious unless the person has some known heart disease,

an abnormal heart valve or an electrotype abnormality. It should better not be called a disease as its only the sudden change in

the normal beating of the heart. The pounding is actually the irregular beating and abnormal pattern of electrical impulses

pounding for a little time or a few second sis not important, its the regular pounding or palpitations that is dangerous and needs

immediate medical consultancy.

Pounding of the heart can be caused by some similar reasons as in many heart diseases like fever, stress, rapid heartbeat, pills,

anemia, hyperventilation, and thyroid problem, low level of oxygen in the blood or any general heart disease. Asymptomatic

pounding includes heart racing or thumping or skipping a beat nut the dangerous pounding symptoms includes dizziness, chest

pain, and faintness, shortage of oxygen, frequent occurrence, drugs and pain in jaws, necks and arms are big causes includes heart

disease for example; arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, congenital heart defects or any structural abnormality , high blood

pressure for example, thyroid disease, academia or hypoxemia, low blood sugar for example, anemia, XTC, smoking, alcohol and

stress, anxiety including over eating, lack of sleep and overdose of certain medications.

The diagnosis must be made by a specialist consultant, medical exam and tests which will include x ray, blood and urine analysis,

EKG or echocardiogram. These tests will have the risk factor of fever, fear, surgery or procedures.

As the pounding of heart is not serious therefore no proper medications are necessary for its cure although prevention and

precaution is the only best way to cure it. Diet and weight control, regular physical activity, meditation and relaxing, adjusting

rest, sleep food and stress and healthy lifestyle is the only best cure. Going to the doctor for a check up and Keeping a regular

check at the pounding may help the doctor to diagnose the ailment easily.

Loud Heart Sound
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Soft-Heart-Sound.jpg


26/68

Loud heart sound is obviously is stage when heart sounds louder than its usual routine sound. As it is not the normal condition

which means that hearing loud heart sound is a disease which can have fatal consequences. There are different causes which

cause this disease.

These causes are as under:

1. Tachycardia

2. Exercise

3. Fever

4. Emotional response to situation

5. Anxiety

6. Hypertension

7. Anaemia

8. Thyrotoxicosis

9. Mitral stenosis

If you are suffering from loud heart sound and you dont know it you can find it out without going out to doctor. The apparatus

are available which can help you to find out the loud heart sound,

1. Heart Rate Monitors

2. Irregular Heartbeat Detection

3. Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)

You should ask yourself few things when you hear the loud heart sound. You should be worried about the pitch of the sound

coming from your heart. It is also important to note down when the sound comes is it coming during systole, diastole, early, mid,

or late.

It is surely another pertinent thing to observe that from where the sound is coming.

What are the other sounds or murmurs? Sometimes it happens that diagnosis bases not on the loud heart sound but it can be

examined and identified through the sounds coming in the vicinity of heart. You should also be worried about the pitch of the

murmurs or sounds in the high frequency range such as valve closure sounds, clicks.

So it one should be very observant in case of his heart sound because it does seem an ordinary matter but it definitely has fatal

consequences. No disease is ordinary disease and we cannot simply over shadow any of our body problems because no one wants

to live an ill life. Life is supposed to be good and healthy and it can be happen if you look after yourself carefully.

Very common cause of loud heart sound is depression and stress. In present depressing life there are favorable chances to get

heart disease very easily. So we need to be careful enough not to get stressed by usual things because our heart is very sensitive


27/68

and nave. Life is small and heart has made it beautiful, we dont want to waste any

minute of this small life suffering from any disease because at the end of the day its your

health that matters.

Irregular Heart Beats

When the heart deviates from its original function of pumping blood, it uses abnormal

contractions and result in a disease called Irregular heart beats or abnormal heart rhythm

is and medically known as Arrhythmia. The electrical system of heart beats consists of

two main areas of control namely, SA Node, sometimes known as natural pacemaker and

the other one is AV node. Arrhythmia has many types depending upon its origin.

Arrhythmia can occur with a normal heart rate as well as rapid heart rate. Arrhythmia can be caused by coronary artery disease,

electrolyte imbalances in the blood, high blood pressure, injury from a heart attack, changes in the heart muscle or healing

process after heart surgery. Sometimes the Arrhythmia disease is caused other than the heart diseases. Some of them include

infections, anemia, stress or they can be inherited. Patients having any of these above mentioned symptoms or sudden occurrence

may consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Generally, irregular heartbeats do not show any particular symptoms, but some conditions may give the hint of Arrhythmia, that

includes palpitations, fainting, dizziness, pounding in the chest, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and weakness or fatigue.

There are also certain tests to check for Arrhythmia. In some case it cannot be cured but in some, it can be cured with drugs,

changing the living style and prevention that will include avoiding smoking, intake of alcohol, caffeine and stimulants in

medications.

If drugs are not effective in some cases, then cardio version

is implied. In this method an electric shock is given after an

anesthesia that makes the heart beats normal.

Another method to cure the Arrhythmia is by using a device

called Pacemaker. Through this device, short electrical

impulses are sent to the heart muscles which help to regulate

the heart beats. Heart surgery and Catheter Ablation are also

the methods to control and regulate the heart beats which

have the similar objective to normalize the heart beat.Following all the above mentioned precautions and at a

proper time may tend to non occurrence of irregular heartbeats.

Heart is important part of our body and without a proper working heart it would be hard to live a life which is worth living. So

your heart should be fit and rhythmic.

Intracranial bruit
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Irregular-Heart-Beats.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Irregular-Heart-Beats.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Loud-Heart-Sound.JPG


28/68

Audible blood flow through a cranial vessel is called intracranial bruit which makes the blood flow abnormal. Intracranial bruit

may be caused due to a carotid cavernous sinus fistula or a cerebral angioma. It may also occur due to a congenital arteriovenous

anomaly. A cerebral aneurysm is not very significant to cause a bruit. Severe anemia may cause intracranial bruits. All

intracranial bruits should be diagnosed with MRI and angiography unless some systemic disease is found like anemia

Intracranial bruits or cervical bruits may be caused by carotid stenosis, hyperthyroidism, a venous hum, or aortic stenosis which

transmits the bruit to the vessels in the neck. A carotid duplex scan and carotid angiography should be done to look for any

particular carotid stenosis.

The 5 causes of intracranial bruit are - Atherosclerosis, increased blood flow, aneurysm, thrombo embolism and arterio venous

misinformation.

Intracranial bruit commonly produces neuro ophthalmologic symptoms and signs. Cavernous malformations commonly cause

abnormalities of supra nuclear or fascicular ocular motility. Prompt and early diagnosis of intra cranial bruit helps in proper

treatment and therapy.

Intracranial bruit remains an enigma and it is not something to overshadow. It is

very important to live healthy life but when one is suffering from such fatal

diseases it would not be possible to stay healthy and enjoy happy healthy life.

There are symptoms which on appearance mean that you have to consult to your

doctor because no disease is a simple and relieving.

Intracranial bruit is commonly heard in 4 of 13 children aged between 4 months

and 3 years. Intracranial bruit is a fatal disease and it has expensive treatment. If

it is diagnose at time it should not be ignored because later on has to suffer a lot

because of the treatment method and the charges.

Heartburn Pyrosis

Heart burn or medically known as Pyrosis is a disease in which there is a painful or burning sensation in the esophagus which lies

just below the breast bone which is caused by the regurgitation of gastric acids. The symptoms of the pain rising often starts from

the chest and may proceed to the neck , jaw or the throat from its name it may seem a heart disease but actually it has nothing to

do with the heart. The name is so given because its pain occurs in the breast bone which is near the heart although it has some

symptoms to do with the heart problems.

This heart burn sensation or pain is caused when the lower part of the esophagus exposes itself to the hydrochloric acid of the

stomach in normal situations, the lower esophageal sphincter which separates the esophagus from the stomach, contracts to

prevent the happening of this situation. But if ever the sphincter does not contract, the gastric acid from the stomach mixes with

the contents of the stomach, causing it to return into the esophagus, gastric acids being acidic, causes inflammation and irritation.

This return, if frequently occurs, will cause Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease. Heartburn also occurs when you eat a heavy or

late meal or when you are lying down flatly.
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Intracranial-bruit.jpg


29/68

Bad breath is also a symptom of heart burn. Excessive smoking is another reason for heart burn because smoking has harmful

effects on the salivary function which helps to clear the esophagus from the acids.

Some of the procedures to check the heart burn disease include stomach stapling,

fundoplication, gastroscopy, gastric acidity determination, esophageal manometry and

esophagoscopy.in addition to drugs, heart burn can also be prevented by giving the adequate

information to the patient with respect to the disease. Physical activity and exercise is also a

very effective way of preventing heartburn. Yoga and aerobics, maintaining a healthy weight

and diet helps in this regard.

Hospitalization in the case of the disease is also a proper way. Proper diagnosis is important

thing in this regard. Taking walks after the meals can also help reduce the chances of heart

burn. Hence, a disease like heart burn can be prevented by the necessary precautions

mentioned above. All of us want to live healthy life and it can be happened only when we

want and determine about it. Living life is not enough but living healthy life is beautiful.

Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastro esophageal reflux is defined as mucosal damage produced by abnormal reflux in the esophagus. In normal conditions, the

food swallowed is passed through esophagus into the stomach through a portal called the lower esophageal sphincter LES, which

helps the food to go down and mix with the acids in the stomach and then it closes tight to prevent backflow of stomach contents.

But in abnormal conditions the LES does not contract as it should, causing the stomach contents and acids to flow backwards into

the esophagus creating irritation in the lungs, inflammation and a burning sensation this back flow is called reflux. This back flow

is pretty normal in adults when it happens frequently because the swallowing of the saliva helps the acids to wash away from the

esophagus thus protecting its vulnerable walls.

Symptoms of gastro esophageal reflux in adults are the inflammation in the esophagus, difficulty swallowing, and chronic chest

pain. Typical symptoms may include cough, hoarseness in voice, chronic ear pain, chest pain and nausea. The presence of hiatal

hernia is a risk factor of gastro esophageal reflux. In young children, the LES is relatively relaxed so they spit up often. This is

called physiological reflux. Over the time the LES strengthens resulting in less spit ups. But if this condition persists, it is called

pathologic reflux resulting in weight loss.

Symptoms of gastro esophageal reflux includes poor weight gain, heart burn, irritability, bad breath, cavities, wheezing, chronic

cough, pain with eating and pneumonia. Gastro esophageal reflux is not contagious and it recovers itself over time. If the reflux isoften and it persists, then the doctor should be consulted for proper treatment. The diagnosis might include Ph probes or x-rays.

Most medications which reduce stomach acid are prescribed.

When the doctors do not prescribe any medications to cure reflux prescribes a healthy lifestyle to be followed. Caffeine, alcohol

and smoking should be cut down. Healthy diet plan must be followed, walk should be taken after meals and fatty and acidic food

must be controlled. A number of drugs are also helpful in this regard. Some of them are proton pump inhibiters, antacids, alginic
http://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Heartburn-Pyrosis.jpghttp://www.downloadheart.us/images/Two/Heartburn-Pyrosis.jpg


30/68

acid, prokinetics and sucralfate. Proper posture is

nursing: heart disorder

Documents