Heart disease is a general term that refers to a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions that affect one or more of the components of the heart. The heart is a muscular, fist-sized organ that is located in the left side of the chest cavity. It continuously pumps blood, beating as many as 100,000 times a day. The blood that the heart moves carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and transports carbon dioxide and other wastes to the lungs, kidneys, and liver for removal. The heart ensures its own oxygen supply through a set of coronary arteries and veins. The heart is also an endocrine organ that produces the hormones atrial natriuretic hormone (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which coordinate heart function with blood vessels and the kidneys.

Internally, the heart is essentially hollow. It is divided vertically into two halves by a septum, and each side of the heart has two internal chambers – an atrium on top and a ventricle on the bottom. Venous blood enters the right side of the heart through the right atrium and is pumped by the right ventricle to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is released and oxygen acquired. Oxygenated blood from the lungs is transported to the left atrium and is pumped by the left ventricle into arteries that carry it throughout the body. Four heart valves regulate the direction and flow of blood through the chambers of the heart. It is their opening and shutting that gives the heart its characteristic “lub-dub” beat. The heart muscle itself is called the myocardium. Lining the chambers of the heart and the valves is a membrane called the endocardium. Encasing the outside of the heart is the pericardium – a layered membrane that is fibrous on the outside and serous (fluid-secreting) on the inside. The pericardium forms a protective barrier around the heart and allows it to beat in a virtually friction free environment.

Diseases affecting the heart may be structural or functional. Anything that damages the heart or decreases the heart’s supply of oxygen, makes it less efficient, reduces its ability to fill and pump, will disrupt the coordinated relationship between the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels and will harm not only the heart but the rest of the body as well.

Source: Lab Tests Online

Researchers and heart surgeons have been discovering new details about the workings of heart disease and the factors that leads to it. Surprising results are showing that stress may be more dangerous that environmental or genetic traits that have long been blamed for the many incidents of the progression and even contraction of the disease. This serves to strengthen the link between the mental and physical health, that is now being seen to have more profound effects on each other. Such as in the previous post of music having more than just a mental effect on the body but a soothing effect that alleviates some of disease’s symptoms as well.
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The benefits of music has long been accepted to be soothing to the soul and mind and with some of the latest research, a more solid proof of this link has been established by researches from the Cochrane Systematic Review. The study shows that people who are suffering from heart disease are indeed getting soothed, decreasing blood pressure and anxiety in heart patients. This adds credence to the wise adage that music soothes the soul that is now known as more than an old wives tale. From stress reduction to the soothing physiological effects, all are now being used as a viable approach to augment heart disease treatment.
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The benefits of omega oils or fish oils have been know for a long time and has created an industry of its own to provide for the demand of the many health products based on the wonderful oil for the deep. There has been new studies that shows there is indeed a decrease in deaths from heart problems due to the consumption of fish oils but the product cannot or isn’t doing anything for those with heart rhythm problems. Scientists have been alarmed that people may be taking drugs that are a total waste of money for the effects of omega oils are surprisingly based on ten year old studies. Even the human trials done were of the same age which questions the relevance of the claims provided by the multitude of omega oil containing health supplements out on the market.

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Many people prefer to stay indoors where it is warm and toasty specially when the weather outside is biting cold. This may feel good but during the winter months when the days get shorter and nights longer, sunlight becomes more important for your health. Associated with the synthesis of vitamin D for the body, sunlight in ample amounts can lessen the risks of heart disease and other illnesses. According to researchers, those who get less sunlight during the cold weather are more likely to develop heart problems than those who opt to stay out longer. Experts agree that one needs not go out for the daily needs of sunlight but a mere opening of the windows to let more sunlight in and a toasty chair indoors would be enough. Vitamin D is useless unless synthesized by the body through the skin so get those rays for a more healthy you.

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Heart and circulatory diseases are the leading cause of death in both men and women. Taking care of your heart is an essential part of living a healthy life. There are positive steps you can follow to maintain and improve your heart health. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. When a person has CAD, it means that the blood vessels that bring blood to the heart have become narrow or blocked. They usually get blocked by plaque, which is a build up of cholesterol and other substances. When you have CAD, your blood vessels do not bring as much blood and oxygen to your heart. Poor blood flow can cause angina, a symptom of heart disease. You may not have any symptoms of heart disease. Some people have had CAD for years or for their entire lives without having any pain or any other symptoms. Sometimes, without symptoms, it makes it hard to remember how important it is to take care of your heart.

In the midst of Global Warming, environmentalist and doctors are worried. According to recent research and studies, Global Warming has a big impact on our heart. Physicians are giving warning that due to climate change, it can produce heart problems eventually. We all know that whenever the temperature rises, heart problems are always detected. Heat waves can produce death and it can even be worsened as a result of extreme heat. In this time, the heart rate rises and the blood pressure goes down. This can be very risky or unsafe to older people and those with weak cardiovascular system.