Practical Case Studies in Heart Disease

Heart diseases refer to conditions that affect the heart, its vessels, muscles, valves, or internal electric pathways responsible for muscular contraction. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and it may lead to chest pain, stroke, or heart attack. Other major heart diseases include irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), endocarditis, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. High blood pressure, poor diet, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, and lack of exercise can all increase the risk of developing various heart diseases. Stress tests, chest X-rays, cardiac CT scans, and electrocardiograms (EKGs/ECGs) can be used to diagnose heart diseases. The treatment of heart diseases is usually based on the type and cause of heart damage. Healthy lifestyle choices such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, eating a low-fat and low-salt diet, and catching on enough sleep are crucial components of its treatment. This book provides significant information to help develop a good understanding of heart diseases. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the condition. For all readers who are interested in the study of heart diseases, the case studies included in this book will serve as an excellent guide to develop a comprehensive understanding.