In recent years, cardiac problems have been on the rise among the general public in the US. It is thought that 735,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year and heart disease is the number one killer of both US men and women. That does not take into account the other illnesses or diseases that can lead to serious, life threatening cardiac problems.

With that in mind, it is worth taking the time to find out about the health issues that contribute to cardiac problems.

Cardiac problems

What specific issues affecting your heart can create serious problems?

Heart attack

A heart attack suddenly occurs when the heart muscles do not work as they should and deprive the body and brain of the oxygen needed to survive. The signs of a heart attack include dizziness, nausea and extreme pain in the chest and arms. If the pain becomes excruciating, then the emergency services should be called or the patient must be taken to a hospital immediately.

Abnormal heart rhythm

The heart should beat at a steady rate for around 60 to 100 beats per minute. When this varies it could be the sign of a cardiac problem. Signs of that could include a fluttering feeling in your chest as your heart beats or the beats noticeably being in an irregular pattern. That is called arrhythmia. If you suspect you have arrhythmia, then visit your doctor as soon as possible to have him check it out. If it is confirmed, you may have to have a pacemaker fitted or take medication to keep your heart at a normal rhythm.

Coronary artery disease

In coronary artery disease, the arteries that carry blood, oxygen and nutrients to your heart get hard and furred up. Symptoms of this illness include angina (pain in the chest) and a shortness of breath when completing physical activity. If you suspect you may have this disease, then visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If confirmed, it may require an operation to clear the affected artery.

By far the best way to prevent the problem is to follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and definitely not smoke.

Cardiac issues not related to your heart

Although the term ‘cardiac’ refers to the heart and the cardiovascular system that supports it, cardiac problems can have other causes. Here are some of the more common ones.

Thyroid problems

Your thyroid is a gland that sits in your neck and regulates important hormones that keep your body working as it should. An under or over active thyroid means the usual level of the hormones is not maintained, which if untreated can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Symptoms indicating a potential thyroid issue include an unusual metabolism and a feeling of constant fatigue.

If you suspect you are suffering from a thyroid issue and would like to know for certain before seeing your doctor, then a thyroid test is recommended. A professional testing center will look at the levels of the key hormones in your blood and can detect from that if you have an under or over active thyroid. They will also show you how to interpret results and what a normal thyroid profile should look like..

Medication

As crazy as it may sound, over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen) can lead to cardiac arrest. If you take too many of these kinds of medicines on a regular basis for prolonged periods, they can cause raised blood pressure and blocked blood vessels due to the substances they are made from.

Stress

You have probably heard the saying that ‘stress is a killer’ – well, it turns out that is actually true.

Excessive stress can cause significant cardiac problems by making your blood pressure shoot up, thus leading to potential cardiac issues including blood clots. Luckily, recognizing stress in your life should be pretty easy and you can soon take steps to address it. If you feel run-down, overworked or anxious all the time then try to relax more.

It’s not all about your heart

While health issues related to your heart itself are very serious, they are not the only problems to keep an eye out for. Cardiac arrest or serious heart problems can come from a variety of angles, including, as previously mentioned, the thyroid gland. If you think you have any signs that all is not well with your cardiovascular system, then seek professional help straight away to establish the cause of any symptoms you are experiencing.