Heart diseases have been the leading cause of death worldwide. Statistics show, every year Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) causes the death of about 382,820 people. The way people's lifestyle is getting worse, the risk of heart disease has increased even more. Young people are also becoming its victims.
The main function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body, supplying your organs and tissues with vital oxygen and nutrients. Due to heart diseases, this normal function is disrupted which can have serious effects on health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 1 in 4 deaths in the United States each year are due to heart disease.
Two problems related to heart diseases - heart attack and heart failure have been in great discussion. What is the main difference between them? Let us understand this in further detail.
Know about heart attack and heart failure
A heart attack occurs when the normal flow of blood to your heart is interrupted. This means that the tissues in this area are not getting the oxygen they need to survive. If a heart attack is not treated promptly, it can damage heart tissue.
Heart failure, on the other hand, occurs when your heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body's organs and tissues. This type of problem occurs due to the narrowing of the arteries.
What are its symptoms?
The symptoms of heart failure and heart attack can be different. You mainly have chest pain in a heart attack. The pain can range from mild to severe in intensity. It feels like a feeling of pressure or squeezing on the chest. Apart from this, it can also cause pain in your hands, shoulders, neck, or jaw. Some people may also experience difficulty in breathing, profuse sweating, and dizziness.
On the other hand, shortness of breath is the main symptom in case of heart failure. When the heart cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, the lungs have to work harder to take in the extra oxygen. In the event of heart failure, weakness or fatigue may be accompanied by shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, and bluish discoloration of the nails or lips.
How to know what is your problem?
Health experts say that people who have been suffering from heart disease for a long time, need to take special precautions regarding these risks. Pain in the jaws, and hands is quite common in heart attacks while shortness of breath is considered to be the main reason for heart failure. Based on these signs, you can guess the problems of the body.
Heart-healthy measures like maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a healthy and nutritious diet can save you from heart disease and its complications. Researchers say, if you have any heart problems, then quit alcohol and smoking completely, both of which can increase your risk of developing problems like heart attack and heart failure.
(PC: Freepik)
