![\"Heart](\"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/ehealth_cardiology.jpg\" "\\"Heart")
Heart Disease. Heart Failure. Heart Attack. Cardiac Arrest. Exactly what do all these terms mean and how do they differ?<\/p>\nHeart Disease. Heart Failure. Heart Attack. Cardiac Arrest. Exactly what do all these terms mean and how do they differ?<\/p>\n
A Cooper cardiologist explains: \u201cHeart disease is an umbrella term for a number of complex problems affecting the heart muscle, the blood vessels in the heart, and the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart. While all of the many types of heart disease differ, one can think of them in a simplified way as conditions that affect the rhythm and blood-flow of the heart,\u201d said Perry J. Weinstock, M.D., Head of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease at Cooper University Hospital.<\/p>\n
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Perhaps the most misunderstood terms related to heart problems is the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cHeart attack, which is caused by a circulatory problem in the heart, is quite different from cardiac arrest, which is caused by a rhythm problem in the heart,\u201d Dr. Weinstock said. \u201cA heart attack occurs when a coronary artery is blocked and the heart does not get the blood supply it needs, causing permanent damage to a portion of the heart muscle. All heart attacks are due to\u00a0to circulatory problems; however, not all heart attacks cause the heart to stop beating.<\/p>\n
“Approximately one-third of all heart attacks result in cardiac arrest or sudden death. In cardiac arrest, however, the heart does suddenly stop beating. The heart stops because a chaotic, irregular heart rhythm causes the heart to suddenly stop pumping blood. Cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac death,\u00a0results in a medical emergency, and may or may not be related to a heart attack. Sudden cardiac death is the number one killer among adults in the United States accounting for approximately 300,000 deaths per year,” Weinstock said.<\/p>\n
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)<\/strong> \u2014 the most common type and the leading cause of heart attacks. CAD is a narrowing and hardening of the arteries caused by the build up of plaque within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium\u2014the muscular tissue of the heart. Angina pectoris (chest pain) is a frequent symptom of CAD. Myocardial infarction is the medical term for a heart attack.<\/p>\n Heart Failure<\/strong> \u2014 Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is an umbrella term for different types of disorders marked by the inability of the heart muscle to pump enough blood throughout the body. This inability restricts the blood supply to other organs, resulting in damage to the organs or poor functioning of the organs. Heart failure has many causes, including untreated high blood pressure. Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath; swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs; and extreme tiredness. Heart failure does not mean that the heart stops beating.<\/p>\n Heart Arrhythmias<\/strong> \u2014 a group of conditions characterized by irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm due to a malfunctioning of the heart\u2019s \u201celectrical system\u201d\u2014or impulses that drive the beating\/pumping action of the heart. Symptoms may include palpitations, dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath and chest discomfort. Many different factors can cause arrhythmias, including CAD, electrolyte imbalances in the blood (such as sodium or potassium), changes in the heart muscle, and injury from a heart attack. Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow to the body and symptoms of heart palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness. It is a common arrhythmia that requires close monitoring and treatment with medication or a corrective procedure. Ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib), on the other hand, is always a medical emergency. When V-Fib occurs, effective pumping of the blood stops. V-fib is considered a form of cardiac arrest, and an individual suffering from it will not survive unless CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation treatment are provided immediately.<\/p>\n Cardiomyopathy<\/strong> \u2014 the deterioration of the function of the myocardium\u2014the heart muscle. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia and\/or sudden cardiac death. Many times, the cause of cardiomyopathy is unknown; however, the most common cause is CAD, heart attacks, or myocarditis (a viral infection that causes the heart muscle to become inflamed). Some people with cardiomyopathy never have symptoms, and others have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease; however, as it progresses, the symptoms are similar to heart failure.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember, many types of heart disease can be improved, or even prevented, by making certain lifestyle changes, such as not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating healthful foods, managing stress, and controlling such conditions as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes,\u201d said Dr. Weinstock.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso, don\u2019t ignore the importance of regular medical check-ups. Early detection and treatment can set the stage for a lifetime of better heart health,\u201d Dr. Weinstock said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Heart Disease. Heart Failure. Heart Attack. Cardiac Arrest. Exactly what do all these terms mean and how do they differ? Perry J. Weinstock, M.D., Head of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease at Cooper University Hospital, puts it in perspective.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[103,107,319],"class_list":{"0":"entry","1":"post","2":"publish","3":"author-admin","4":"has-excerpt","5":"has-more-link","6":"post-362","8":"format-standard","9":"category-ehealth-connection","10":"post_tag-cardiac-arrest","11":"post_tag-cardiology","12":"post_tag-heart-attack"},"yoast_head":"\nHeart Disease Prevention<\/h2>\n