Heart defect. Treatment of the heart with folk remedies Heart disease how to treat
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Congenital heart defects (CHD) account for approximately 30% of all congenital developmental defects and are one of the leading causes of death in children under one year of age. Thanks to advances in cardiac surgery, complex reconstructive surgical operations are now being performed, which make it possible to save the patient’s life in cases previously considered inoperable.
Modern methods for diagnosing congenital heart disease
Early detection of congenital heart disease and its timely adequate treatment provide favorable survival prognosis and the ability for the patient to lead an active lifestyle.
Basic methods for diagnosing heart defects:
- Physical examination. CHD may be suspected if there is cyanosis (blueness), pale skin and cold extremities. When listening, a heart murmur is detected.
- Electrocardiography. The electrophysiological diagnostic method allows you to evaluate the conductivity of the heart.
- Chest X-ray. The method reveals the expansion of the heart.
- Echocardiography. An ultrasound diagnostic method that allows you to evaluate the structure of the heart, the condition of its walls, vessels, valves, etc.
- Cardiac catheterization. An x-ray diagnostic method that can be used to determine the pressure in the chambers of the heart and the condition of its structures.
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. The method detects defects in the septum of the heart.
The main methods of treating congenital heart disease are open cardiac surgery and intravascular (endovascular) surgery. The choice of treatment method depends on the type of pathology, the age of the child and his general health. For complex defects, several intravascular and open heart surgeries may be required.
Endovascular surgery. The method consists in bringing catheters, occluders, balloons and other intravascular devices to the pathology zone through the vessels, and using them to carry out various therapeutic manipulations.
Advantages of endovascular intervention over open cardiac surgery:
- Less traumatic surgical access to the heart.
- There is no need to use general anesthesia.
- Shorter postoperative period.
The endovascular method has been successfully used for more than twenty years in the treatment of simple congenital defects, most often used for atrial septal defects and pulmonary valve stenosis.
Open cardiac surgery. The method is used when it is impossible to restore valve function or eliminate atrial septal defects by endovascular surgery.
The main methods of surgical treatment of congenital heart disease:
- Plastic surgery of heart valves or implantation of artificial valves.
- Suturing small septal defects or covering them with a patch (for large defects or absence of a septum).
- Plastic surgery and prosthetics of cardiac vessels.
- Reconstructive operations.
If there are no positive results after endovascular, cardiac surgery, or maintenance therapy, a heart transplant is indicated. According to American scientists, the five-year survival rate after heart transplantation is more than 60%; an increasing number of patients are being recorded who have lived ten years or more after heart transplantation.
A heart defect is a disorder of the heart valves, septum, and myocardium that causes changes in how blood pumps. With such a disruption of the normal functioning of the heart, such deviations contribute to the appearance of stagnation in various tissues and veins and can lead to hypoxia.
Defects of large vessels can be considered a certain pathology in cardiac activity. However, not all researchers share this point of view.
Before starting treatment for this serious disease, it is necessary to determine the type of defect, the reasons for its occurrence, and also predict the occurrence of possible complications.
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Pathology can be congenital or acquired.
Location of the defect
With acquired heart disease, problems may arise:
In newborns, changes in the structure of the heart are detected:
one of the ventricles may not be fully developed (hypoplasia); defects in the septum between the ventricles; change in the localization of the main cardiac outflow vessels; a patent ductus arteriosus is diagnosed; narrowing of the pulmonary artery or aortic isthmus was detected.
Experts distinguish 3 main types of heart defects:
Scientists claim the existence of about a hundred different types of this disease. At birth, children are examined by a neonatologist who can identify the presence of one or another developmental pathology.
Modern medicine offers a variety of methods. Among the most used are ultrasound examination, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as angiography.
Correct diagnosis of the type of heart defect is necessary to prescribe the correct treatment. The cardiologist should also obtain information about the degree of changes in the adaptive mechanisms of the heart. So, in case of minor disturbances and no changes in the blood supply to all organs and tissues, conservative treatment will be prescribed.
Congenital defects usually appear already at the embryonic stage during the formation of all organs
Factors influencing defect therapy
If heart disease is an acquired disease, then it is necessary to take preventive measures against its main causes.
What to do:
Decompensation of the heart occurs when there are shifts in the activity of the structures. If the heart valves are not closed to the required degree, congestion in the blood vessels may occur. Since blood may partially return when moving from one area of the heart to another, the heart chamber becomes filled with excess blood and it stagnates in the afferent vessels.
Narrowing of the orifice can also cause certain problems in the heart.
Blood cannot pass completely through such a narrow opening. Its accumulation can lead to hypertrophy (expansion). A stretched heart muscle becomes ineffective.
The myocardium can no longer move the required amount of blood, resulting in heart failure, manifested in the form of oxygen starvation.
A conservative method of treating such a disease involves maintaining the balance of myocardial energy and combating insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues.
Treatment methods for heart disease
Acquired
Most often caused by endocarditis and includes several varieties. To treat such heart defects, special medications are used, which are determined depending on the type and nature of the disease.
Congenital
Conservative methods are not effective for congenital pathologies. The goal of treatment is to help the patient and prevent the occurrence of attacks of heart failure. Only a doctor determines which pills to take for heart disease.
The following medications are usually indicated:
cardiac glycosides; diuretics; Vitamins D, C, E are used to support immunity and antioxidant effect; potassium and magnesium preparations; anabolic hormonal agents; in case of acute attacks, oxygen inhalation is carried out; in some cases, antiarrhythmic drugs; in some cases, medications may be prescribed to reduce blood clotting.
Conservative treatment is carried out during the period of preparation for surgery and after it. Patients are advised to undergo treatment every year in special sanatoriums and centers with a cardiology hospital.
It is important to follow a diet and determine your diet according to your doctor’s recommendations. Avoid excessive physical activity. To prevent oxygen starvation, special cocktails, baths and inhalations are recommended.
Hiking in the forest will help restore breathing and supply the body with phytoncides
Need for surgery
If a child has been diagnosed with a heart defect since birth, his condition should be under constant medical supervision. The body itself cannot cope with such a pathology.
According to research, cases of birth defects in adults are very rare. More than half of these cases are children under 14 years of age. More than 70% of such babies may die in the first year of their life without the necessary surgical intervention.
The timing of the operation is determined depending on the severity of the disease. If the patient's condition allows, then surgical treatment should be carried out at an older age. In this case, the child will already have a fairly developed immune system, which will help the body cope with possible consequences.
In addition, the state of the pulmonary circulation may affect the time of the operation. Experts note certain phases when the child’s body is most ready for surgery.
At the stage of irreversible changes, internal organs are depleted and severe complications may occur.
Types of intervention
The type of surgical treatment is prescribed by a specialist, who is guided by the severity of the disease and the type of heart defect. Today there are various specialized centers. Modern equipment makes it possible to perform surgery on a stopped heart, which is connected to artificial circulation.
if there is a pathology of the opening of the ductus arteriosus, then the unnecessary vessel is ligated and crossed; when the vessels narrow, they are expanded or the narrow part is removed; tissue plastic surgery is used for pathologies of the septum between the ventricles or atria; when there are changes in the location of the efferent arteries, the vessels are moved; when the valves are stenotic, they are expanded and a special ring is installed that will prevent fusion; defects associated with valves are eliminated through the installation of artificial components.
There are two types of such valves:
Combined heart defects become the basis for repeated operations, the interval between which can be no more than a year.
Postoperative period
After surgery, the patient is in the intensive care unit under constant monitoring.
Analgesics are used to block pain. The oxygen mask is connected. Through droppers, the patient receives nutrient solutions and vitamins, as well as antibacterial drugs to prevent complications.
Subsequently, the specialist determines the patient’s diet and also recommends breathing exercises.
If an artificial valve was implanted during the operation, then anticoagulants are immediately used. Among them are Phenilin, Warfarin. The dosage is established after the necessary studies of the prothrombin index.
This indicator must be monitored at least once a month and after discharge from the hospital.
All foods containing vitamin K are excluded from the diet, as it can suppress the effect of anticoagulants.
The consumption of cabbage and cheese is contraindicated. Coffee, spinach and lettuce. And also green tea.
You should be very careful about physical activity and avoid doing heavy work for at least three months. You are also allowed to drive a car no earlier than this period.
Women planning to have a child should be under constant supervision of a gynecologist and cardiac surgeon.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers some alternative treatments:
When diagnosing any types of heart defects, it is important to consult a doctor in time, who will determine further treatment. Timely assistance increases the chances of recovery.
Acquired forms of vice
1. Mitral valve anomalies. Anomalies of the semilunar aortic valve.
The most likely reasons:
various forms of rheumatism; infectious endocarditis; atherosclerosis; some mechanical injuries; syphilis disease; systemic connective tissue diseases.
Aortic stenosis
attacks of dizziness when changing body position (sudden bending, standing up); loss of consciousness; dyspnea; swelling (in severe cases); attacks of suffocation (in very severe cases).
Mitral valve stenosis
nasolabial triangle of a bluish tint; blue nails; the appearance of symptoms of coronary insufficiency.
Diagnostics
The following is scheduled:
ECG (electrocardiogram); chest x-ray; catheterization of the heart muscle.
Congenital forms of defects
Structural defects in the interventricular and interatrial septa. Some forms associated with narrowing of the lumen (aortic, mitral stenosis). Incorrect localization of blood vessels.
isolated and complex myocardial damage; changes in blood vessels; intrauterine valve defects.
Attention!
Possible causes of defects
increased background radiation; addiction to alcoholic beverages and drugs during pregnancy; the expectant mother taking medications such as lithium and warfarin; infectious diseases caused by various pathogenic viruses; illness with rubella, influenza, hepatitis B (first trimester).
shortness of breath during physical or gaming activity; pale skin, sometimes even with a blue tint;
What are “blue” defects?
For no apparent reason, the child begins to behave restlessly. His excitement quickly increases. Noticeable shortness of breath appears. Shortness of breath becomes increasingly severe. A bluish tint to the skin appears, which indicates the development of cyanosis. Loss of consciousness occurs (not always and not in all children).
What are “pale” defects?
Frequent headaches. Attacks of shortness of breath. Feeling dizzy. Pain in the heart and abdomen. Pain in the lower extremities.
Functional characteristics of the heart muscles. Function of heart valves. Speed characteristics of blood flow.
Radiography. Electrocardiogram (ECG). Holter monitoring ECG.
The patient takes special medications under the supervision of a physician. Surgical intervention (operation).
To dilate blood vessels (fezam, cavinton). To normalize blood pressure (nebilet, cardiquet). Nootropic effects (piracetam, nootropil and others). Improving cardiac activity (asparkam, riboxin, etc.). Diuretics (veroshpiron). Aspirin (Aspecard), to reduce the risk of blood clots. B vitamins (normalization of cellular metabolism). Immunomodulators (increasing the body's defenses).
Infective endocarditis
Heart defects include a large group of diseases characterized by structural changes in the heart valves. There are various types of defects, each of which has its own etiology and pathogenesis. An accurate diagnosis is required to select the optimal treatment method.
Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease
With heart defects, the functioning of the valves is impaired, which leads to varying degrees of problems, for example, to the formation of such complications as chronic heart failure, which threatens the health and even the life of the patient.
What is meant by heart failure?
This pathology includes structural anomalies that are observed in several valves at once or a number of disorders in only one valve. In the first case, these are combined, and in the second, combined types of pathology. Problems of this kind cause negative functional changes in the full circulatory cycle.
Acquired forms of vice
Such diseases arise during human life for various reasons. They are characterized by pathological disorders of the structure of the myocardium and surrounding vessels. The heart muscle cannot adequately perform its functional tasks. In this case, disruptions in the entire blood flow process occur.
The most common types of acquired forms of defects are:
- 1. Mitral valve anomalies.
- Anomalies of the semilunar aortic valve.
Acquired heart defects. Reasons for formation
The most likely reasons:
- various forms of rheumatism;
- infectious endocarditis;
- atherosclerosis;
- some mechanical injuries;
- syphilis disease;
- systemic connective tissue diseases.
Stenosis is a common pathology
One of the common defects can also be called stenosis.
Aortic stenosis
In the early stages it is usually not accompanied by characteristic symptoms.
Over time, as the disease progresses, the following are observed:
- attacks of dizziness when changing body position (sudden bending, standing up);
- loss of consciousness;
- dyspnea;
- swelling (in severe cases);
- attacks of suffocation (in very severe cases).
Mitral valve stenosis
With a small degree of manifestation, such pathologies also do not have clear symptoms. In more severe cases there is:
- nasolabial triangle of a bluish tint;
- blue nails;
- the appearance of symptoms of coronary insufficiency.
Mitral stenoses are most often formed due to congenital abnormalities of the heart valves. Detection of pathology as early as possible (ideally in the first months of a child’s life) makes the prognosis favorable.
Diagnostics
The following is scheduled:
- ECG (electrocardiogram);
- chest x-ray;
- catheterization of the heart muscle.
Treatment
The vast majority of cases of defects that are severe require surgical intervention. Treatment, even with modern medications, can only have a short-term effect.
Congenital forms of defects
All abnormalities in the main blood vessels and heart valves of a child that occur even before birth (prenatal period) are classified as congenital forms of defects. A number of congenital functional disorders do not give cause for concern, and the baby’s further development proceeds normally. But some of them are incompatible with life.
The most common congenital diseases of this kind are:
- Structural defects in the interventricular and interatrial septa.
- Some forms associated with narrowing of the lumen (aortic, mitral stenosis).
- Incorrect localization of blood vessels.
Main causes
During the prenatal period of development, a long process of formation of the heart muscle occurs. If cavities form incorrectly in it, we are talking about congenital heart disease.
The fetus first develops a common vascular trunk, which eventually divides into two separate organs - the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Intrauterine circulation is formed, during which various pathologies can occur.
The problem is that these valve abnormalities and blood flow problems persist and then get worse after birth.
Frequent disorders that are diagnosed by doctors are a patent ductus arteriosus or a patent foramen ovale.
In the case of a congenital form of the defect, to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor must determine the presence of:
- isolated and complex myocardial damage;
- changes in blood vessels;
- intrauterine valve defects.
Attention! Anomalies of the myocardium and blood vessels, as a rule, have a short time interval for their formation - this is the period between the second and eighth weeks of pregnancy. The number of such cardiac pathologies in proportions is small - about 0.6%.
Medical science still knows little about the exact causes of heart valve abnormalities in the fetus. It has only been noticed that the risk of having another sick child increases as there is already one in the family. However, we are talking about only five percent of this probability.
Possible causes of defects
Among the possible causes of congenital cardiac anomalies, doctors name:
- increased background radiation;
- addiction to alcoholic beverages and drugs during pregnancy;
- the expectant mother taking medications such as lithium and warfarin;
- infectious diseases caused by various pathogenic viruses;
- illness with rubella, influenza, hepatitis B (first trimester).
Heart defects in the child and obesity in the mother
A number of recent medical studies have shown another trend in overweight women. Statistics show that children of such women are more likely to be born with one of the heart defects known to science than children of mothers with normal body weight. The ratio is quite convincing - 36 percent. However, what exactly is the connection between maternal excess weight and congenital heart disease in the child has not been established.
Congenital heart defects. Main features
Parents should be informed that infants with some congenital heart defects do not show any signs of the disease and appear alert and completely healthy.
The first symptoms in such cases usually become apparent only after a year or even more. Then the child has the following signs:
- shortness of breath during physical or gaming activity;
- pale skin, sometimes even with a blue tint;
Delays in varying degrees in physical development are the main warning symptom.
"Pale" (white) and blue defects
What are “blue” defects?
This type of disease is characterized by sudden onset attacks.
Signs:
- For no apparent reason, the child begins to behave restlessly.
- His excitement quickly increases.
- Noticeable shortness of breath appears.
- Shortness of breath becomes increasingly severe.
- A bluish tint to the skin appears, which indicates the development of cyanosis.
- Loss of consciousness occurs (not always and not in all children).
Important! Young children who like to squat frequently should be closely monitored, as this may be one of the symptoms of the “blue” defect.
What are “pale” defects?
This type of defect is noticeable by the uneven development of the child’s torso. As a rule, the lower half of the body in such children is underdeveloped.
The following manifestations are typical for younger schoolchildren and adolescents:
- Frequent headaches.
- Attacks of shortness of breath.
- Feeling dizzy.
- Pain in the heart and abdomen.
- Pain in the lower extremities.
Heart defects and methods of diagnosing them
Due to the complexity and danger of such pathologies, the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases should only be carried out by qualified and experienced specialists. Seek help only from cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
Modern diagnostics are replete with many methods for determining numerous types of defects.
Echocardiography (EchoCG). Echocardiography examines:
- Functional characteristics of the heart muscles.
- Function of heart valves.
- Speed characteristics of blood flow.
This is a universal and widespread technique throughout the world that allows us to create a complete picture of the disease using ultrasound.
- Radiography. Sometimes doctors need to clarify the functional characteristics of the heart in order to prescribe more accurate effective treatment. In this case, the patient requires an examination using x-rays. We are talking about diagnosis using a chest X-ray or ventriculography, a study in which a special contrast agent is used.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG). The most common technique is a conventional electrocardiogram or its complicated variants. These include bicycle ergometry and treadmill test. We are talking about recording special medical indications of the work of the heart muscle during a stressful load on it.
- Holter monitoring ECG. In some cases, for a clearer picture of the disease, the patient may also need Holter ECG monitoring. During the day, during daytime exercise and rest, the functional stress on the myocardium is recorded. After this, the data is studied by a cardiologist, and the optimal treatment method is prescribed.
Heart defects and modern treatment methods
There are only two methods of therapy in such cases.
- The patient takes special medications under the supervision of a physician.
- Surgical intervention (operation).
The first type of medical care is aimed at maximally strengthening the heart muscle and normalizing its function. After a thorough examination, medications are prescribed by a cardiologist.
Important. Medications should be taken in strict accordance with the recommendations of a specialist and continuously for any type of defect. It is forbidden to replace medications or adjust doses on your own. Please note that if tachycardia is symptomatic, a number of usual medications should be excluded.
For heart defects, many medications are used, each of which is intended for a specific purpose.
These could be, for example, the following medications:
- To dilate blood vessels (fezam, cavinton).
- To normalize blood pressure (nebilet, cardiquet).
- Nootropic effects (piracetam, nootropil and others).
- Improving cardiac activity (asparkam, riboxin, etc.).
- Diuretics (veroshpiron).
- Aspirin (Aspecard), to reduce the risk of blood clots.
- B vitamins (normalization of cellular metabolism).
- Immunomodulators (increasing the body's defenses).
Most of the above drugs must be taken for a long time, adjusted for the severity of the disease.
The entire complex of medicinal effects is aimed, first of all, at creating the most favorable conditions for proper blood circulation, normalizing brain functions, reducing pressure in the arteries, reducing the risk of blood clots and increasing the body's resistance to various diseases.
What microelements are necessary to strengthen the cardiovascular system?
If a patient has one of the heart defects, the body must be provided with a wide range of vitamins and microelements such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. Therefore, a cardiologist prescribes medications that contain such elements (for example, the popular medicine “Panangin”).
Heart defects and surgery
Most heart defects in modern medicine are eliminated through surgery. The advantage of surgical intervention is that in this way the patient radically solves the problem and can continue to live and work fully.
As a rule, such operations are performed after artificial cardiac arrest using special equipment to create replacement blood circulation.
The most common surgical intervention to correct the problem is mitral commissurotomy, as well as replacement of the affected valves with prostheses.
Heart defects. Preventive measures
Unfortunately, preventive measures to eliminate all risks from various heart defects do not guarantee that you will never have problems with the performance of the heart and blood vessels.
However, such measures are reasonable as they reduce risks. For example, timely treatment of streptococcal infection, which includes sore throat, prevents the development of rheumatism.
As an effective prophylaxis for signs of rheumatic fever and the risk of complications, injections of antibiotics (bicillin) are used, which it is unreasonable to refuse in such cases.
Infective endocarditis
There is a risk group for infective endocarditis. Doctors talk about people who have previously suffered rheumatic attacks or patients with mitral valve prolapse.
It is very important for them to undergo a prophylactic course of taking antibiotic drugs prescribed by a doctor before any medical procedures and operations. This also applies to tooth extraction, tonsils, and adenoids.
Conclusions. It must be remembered that any disease, especially one as serious as it is, is much wiser to prevent than to treat in a long, difficult and costly manner. Many people come to their senses only after their heart has to be operated on and valves have to be replaced.
Therefore, any person should be well informed. Show discipline, observe preventive measures and treat any diseases in a timely manner - this is a list of mandatory points. In the case of a congenital form of the disease, parents are obliged to consult an experienced cardiologist for advice and follow all his instructions.
Heart disease is a rather serious disease caused by disruption of the heart, its rhythm and frequency, therefore, in the presence of this disease, the heart experiences very strong stress. It can be congenital or acquired.
Causes of heart disease
We haven’t yet figured out exactly why this disease manifests itself and occurs and what affects it. But based on the fact that it can be either congenital or acquired, there are certain factors that affect the manifestations of the disease and are the causes.
Causes of congenital heart disease:
1. Radiation, radiation from the mother, during pregnancy.2. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
3. Smoking, drug use during pregnancy.
4. Poor nutrition of the mother, due to which the child did not receive the necessary vitamins for proper development.
5. Swelling.
Causes for acquired heart disease:
- Heart failure.Other heart diseases.
Atherosclerosis.
Various connective tissue injuries.
Presence of rheumatism.
Edema.
Symptoms of heart disease:
- Shortness of breath.Blue discoloration of the skin, mainly the face and limbs.
Pain in the heart area.
My head hurts and I feel dizzy.
Developmental retardation: physical and psychological.
Types of heart defects
It is divided into congenital and acquired. And they, in turn, are also divided into subspecies.
Types of congenital heart defects: valvular, disorder (defect) in the septum, disorder (defect) of large vessels.
Types of acquired heart disease: violation of the bicuspid valve and left cardioventricular orifice, violation of the aortic valve.
Treatment of heart disease
Basically, this disease is treated surgically, and after that the patient lives a full life. The operation is performed on a stopped heart, so its implementation requires great knowledge and caution from a cardiologist. Also, in the treatment of heart disease, physical activity is used, which is prescribed by a cardiologist, as well as proper nutrition and bed rest.
Complications of heart disease
Complications can occur with any type of heart defect. The consequences are quite severe and leave a big imprint on the general health of the patient. Serious consequences may include:
- Severe swelling, which can cause suffocation.Pulmonary edema.
Heart failure.
Various heart diseases.
Developmental delay.
Prevention of heart disease:
You cannot get rid of heart disease by taking preventive measures, but you can prevent its occurrence and prevent its progression. To do this, you need to follow your doctor's recommendations, take medications, undergo regular examinations, do ultrasounds and monitor your diet. But it is also important that the patient monitors his own health, does not overwork, and does not have any bad habits, so as not to provoke complications. If you consult a doctor in time if any symptoms occur, you can recover from heart disease much faster and easier.
Heart disease is a disease in which the structure of the heart, its walls and valves changes. The result of this disease is a disruption of blood flow inside the heart or in the circulatory system. This disease can be either congenital or acquired throughout life.
Features of the congenital form
Congenital heart disease differs from acquired heart disease by significant pathologies of both the heart muscle itself and the entire circulatory system. Typically, congenital heart defects can be detected in the womb or after the baby is born. An acquired defect is characterized by the fact that it occurs against the background of a serious illness.Treatment of heart disease
Therapy, prevention and treatment of heart disease are carried out under the supervision of a doctor with strict adherence to all his recommendations. It is worth noting that treatment of heart disease without surgery occurs only in a few cases. Treatment of heart disease in any case is carried out comprehensively. As a rule, a treatment complex can consist of taking certain medications, surgical intervention, and physical therapy and activities that are also aimed at preventing the disease.Basic treatment methods
Thus, the main methods of treating heart disease are: surgical intervention (performed only if the patient has no contraindications to performing such manipulations, and there are appropriate indications); the use of various methods of treating abnormal heart rhythm and blood conduction; prevention of complications of heart disease, such as rheumatism; Doctors prescribe various drugs and procedures to reduce the risk of disease progression. In addition, prophylactic agents are used.A heart defect is a disorder in the structure of the heart muscle. As a result of its development, the patient experiences a disturbance in the circulatory process not only of the myocardium itself, but also of both circulatory circles. Heart disease can be either hereditary or acquired.
Regardless of its etiology, PS not only has a negative effect on the state of the cardiovascular system, but is also the cause of the development of various diseases of the heart muscle. Information on how to treat heart disease is extremely important for every person.
The essence of the disease
The human heart consists of four sections: two atria (right, left) and two ventricles (right and left). As a result of successive contractions of these sections, blood is directed under pressure from the atria to the ventricles, and from there to the main arteries.
In addition, the heart also has structures such as valves, which, as a result of their closing and opening, ensure that blood flows in only one direction, preventing the blood from flowing back - regurgitation.
With the development of heart disease, the structure of the valves, cardiac septa, walls of the heart cavities, vessels that extend from it, etc. occurs. As a result of such changes, the movement of blood flow is disrupted.
Congenital heart defects develop between 2 and 8 weeks of fetal development. Approximately per 1000 newborns, 5–8 children have congenital heart defects. Among the main factors that can lead to the development of congenital heart disease are the following:
If we talk about the reasons that lead to the development of acquired heart defects, the most significant include rheumatism, endocarditis, atherosclerosis and syphilis.
As for congenital heart defects, they can be divided into two groups:
- Develop in the presence of shunts. Oxygenated blood returns to the lungs. This leads to a significant increase in pressure both in the right ventricle and in the blood vessels. This group includes such defects as non-union of the arterial septum, defect of the septum or defect of the septum.
- The presence of obstacles that disrupt the blood flow process. As a result, the load on the heart increases. This group can include types of defects such as narrowing of the aorta, stenosis of the aortic valve or narrowing of the pulmonary valve of the heart.
As a result of the gradual degeneration of the heart valves, the opening between the valve leaflets does not close completely, which leads to reverse blood flow. This process can be triggered by two factors:
The danger of a heart defect for a patient’s life depends on its type, degree of development, the reasons that led to its development, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases.
Treatment of acquired defects
Among congenital heart diseases in adults, the most common is mitral stenosis. As a rule, it occurs in women.
First of all, I would like to note that patients with stenosis are under the supervision of specialists. Hospitalization is recommended only in case of development of complex pathology.
If the patient complains of severe shortness of breath, but does not have signs of rheumatism or an increase in the volume of the cavities of the heart, he needs to consult a cardiac surgeon. After a thorough examination, a decision may be made to perform surgery.
Drug treatment is recommended for the development of complications of the defect or for the prevention of rheumatic attacks. If a patient has attacks of atrial fibrillation, he is prescribed digoxin, diuretics, antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants.
In the case when a patient is diagnosed with mitral stenosis, which is accompanied by sinus tachycardia, digoxin is not prescribed.
This type of defect, mitral insufficiency, is more common in adult men. It manifests itself mainly in the form of rheumatism, which can be supplemented by mitral stenosis.
The complex of drug therapy includes groups of drugs such as glycosides, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. If severe complications develop, surgery may be necessary. As a rule, the following types of operations are practiced: valve replacement or valvuloplasty.
Mitral prolapse, aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation are among the types of heart defects that develop in young people. In rare cases, these heart defects occur alone. As a rule, they go in tandem with some other heart defect.
Drug therapy is similar for the above diseases and consists of the following groups of drugs: ACE inhibitors, glycosides (which must be taken under the strict supervision of specialists), diuretics, nitrates.
These remedies help alleviate or eliminate some of the symptoms of the disease, but do not completely cure the disease.
Heart defects can be completely eliminated only through surgery (prosthetics or balloon valvuloplasty).
Acquired heart defects, as a rule, do not require hospital treatment. Only with the development of severe complications is there a need for surgical treatment.
Treatment of congenital PS
Congenital heart disease cannot be treated conservatively. The main goal of conservative treatment therapy is to alleviate the patient’s general condition, alleviate the manifestation of signs of defects, and also to prevent the development of complications.
Among the medications that are used in the treatment of congenital heart defects, the following can be identified: glycosides, diuretics, vitamins D, C, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, antiarrhythmic drugs, etc. Only a specialist can prescribe a course of treatment after a comprehensive examination.
Treatment of a heart defect diagnosed immediately after birth is carried out only in a hospital (the child’s body is not able to cope with the pathology on its own). In this case, surgery is necessary.
You just need to decide on the timing of it. If the general condition of a small patient allows, specialists try to delay the operation until a later date, when the body has grown and become stronger. Otherwise, surgery is performed immediately.
The method of operation is determined strictly individually. This could be stenting, prosthetics, plastic surgery, etc.
When diagnosing any type of heart defect, the method and treatment regimen can only be determined by a specialist.
Folk recipes
Treatment of heart disease with folk remedies is usually used during the rehabilitation period or as a prevention of possible complications. It is also possible to use traditional recipes to alleviate the intensity of symptoms.
Mostly decoctions or infusions of herbs or berries are used. Among the most widely known are the following recipes:
- It is very useful to bathe a newborn baby in a bath with the addition of oregano decoction. To do this, 2 tablespoons of raw material are infused for 5–10 minutes and filtered. After such a bath, the baby will sleep much more peacefully.
- A decoction of jaundice herb will help cope with the symptoms of PS. 1 spoon of dry herb is infused in a glass of boiling water for 15–20 minutes, and then the decoction is consumed 1 spoon 3–4 times throughout the day.
- Frequent heartbeat causes some discomfort to patients. To cope with it, you can use an infusion of a spoon of clove herb infused in a glass of boiling water. This decoction can be drunk three times a day, 1 spoon. In a couple of weeks, the heart will beat much calmer, and the pain will go away.
In addition to these recipes, there are many other ways to treat heart defects through traditional medicine. For this, ingredients such as horsetail, golden mustache, chicory, primrose, etc. are used. Of course, it will not be possible to be cured in this way, but the general condition will become much better.
I would like to note that these treatment methods should never be used on the recommendation of friends or neighbors. You cannot self-medicate without consulting a specialist.
And, accordingly, they will depend on how much the myocardium is damaged by the pathological process. In the absence of persistent tachycardia and circulatory disorders (significant enlargement of the liver, swelling of the liver), no special therapeutic interventions are required. It is necessary that the patient’s living and working conditions correspond to the accommodative ability of the heart. General strengthening and sedative medications are recommended. If the patient develops tachycardia, digitalis preparations are additionally prescribed. When the left atrioventricular orifice is narrowed, restoratives will be useful. Currently, this type of heart defect is subject to surgical therapy. In case of significant narrowing of the hole, the prognosis is unfavorable. It is considered quite serious when developing. Pregnancy with this type of heart defect is contraindicated.
Treatment of aortic valve insufficiency in the case of preserved compensation is not prescribed; in case of decompensation, it is almost always ineffective. With relative mitral insufficiency, the patient is prescribed digitalis preparations. Complex and combined defects are more severe than isolated ones and have a worse prognosis (with the exception of mitral stenosis). Surgery is most often prescribed to treat mitral stenosis. In cases of other forms of complex combined defects, surgical intervention is contraindicated.
Treatment of congenital heart defects
Treatment of congenital narrowing of the pulmonary artery (“cyanotic disease”) is only surgical. If the operation is not performed in a timely manner, patients die from heart weakness or from developing pulmonary tuberculosis. In cases of a congenital defect in the interventricular septum, treatment is necessary only if cardiovascular failure develops. To prevent the appearance of cardiac weakness, general strengthening agents (arsenic, iron, phosphorus preparations) are used and mental and physical stress is limited.
In case of non-occlusion of the ductus botallus, surgical treatment is prescribed only if cardiovascular failure develops. Patients with heart defects are under dynamic medical supervision; they must be examined by a doctor at least once every six months. With the right choice of activity, systematic and timely treatment, compliance with work and rest, a patient with heart disease can lead a full life and remain able to work for many years.