Heart Attacks are becoming more common, as the intensity of modern life increases. The drive for excellence and the competition from fellow professionals, as well as the over-all environment, force us to work harder and worry even harder. Generally known as Coronary Heart Disease, the different types of CHD are known by the following:
- CAD (Coronary Artery Disease)
- CVD (Cardio Vascular Disease)
- MI (Myocardial Infarction or Heart Attack)
- SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest)
- CHF (Congestive Heart Failure)
- AFIB (Atrial Fibrillation)
- Cardio Myopathy
- Myocarditis
CHD types also include Pericarditis and Endocarditis.
Heart Functions
The Heart is a fist sized organ situated in the Mediastinum, or the space between the two lungs. It is a super pump, pumping more than 100,000 times a day continuously from the day of birth, through the years, to the death. The fluid pumped (blood) not only carries nutrients, but oxygen, medicines and many other chemicals and living organisms through a sealed system called the cardiovascular system which covers the complete body. It also transports carbon dioxide and waste materials to the lungs, kidneys and liver. The Heart is crisscrossed by a set of Coronary Arteries which provides oxygen to itself, and, as an Endocrine organ, it produces Hormones ANP and BNP, which regulate and coordinate Heart Function. The Heart is essentially hollow and consists of four internal chambers, two each of Atriums and Ventricles, divided by a Septum.
Coronary Artery Disease
CHD and CAD are the most common diseases of the Heart. Narrowing of the arteries occur due to build up of fatty deposits, forming “plaques”, and causing Atherosclerosis. This ultimately leads Angina, where oxygen supply is severely depleted (ischemia) due to inadequate supply of blood caused by the blockage, and this may lead to Stroke or Angina. Heart Attack results in extreme cases of blockage of the arterial system and starvation of oxygen.
Blood Works For Heart Diseases
The most common Blood Tests or blood work for heart function are as follows:
- Lipid Profile, with Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, etc.
- Creatine Kinase (CK) and CK-MB
- Troponin
- BNP and NT-proBNP
- Homocysteine
- Cardiac Risk assessment
- Cardiac Biomarkers
- Lactate Hydrogenase (LD)
- High-sensetivity C-reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
The Blood Works listed are not comprehensive. The Heart Function is the most focused-on organ or system we have, and scientific development on its diagnosis and treatment is continuous improving.
