Viruses That Cause Heart Disease

Heart disease, or "cardiovascular disease," is a blanket term used to cover the wide variety of diseases and illnesses that can affect someone. Heart disease has a long medical history and was once thought to be a death sentence. In the present day, heart disease is the number one killer of men and women. Unfortunately, there are some common viruses that can cause heart disease. Prevention of heart disease is best. However, early detection can also be important to effectively manage the disease.

History of Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Association's website, the issue of heart disease has been a concern for hundreds of years. In the year 1917, a group of social workers and physicians formed the first heart disease organization, which later became known as The American Heart Association. In the 1800's and early 1900's heart disease was considered a death sentence for patients that suffered from it. During this time period there were no real interventions or medications that could combat the disease.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Everyone should be aware of the symptoms of heart disease. However, you should pay close attention if you have a family history of heart disease. There are several different warning signs of heart disease. The website for the Mayo Clinic points out that you should immediately see you physician if you experience:

Fatigue
Shortness of Breath
Irregular heart rhythm or a heart murmur
Chest pains
Swollen feet and ankles

The Mayo Clinic also points out that heart disease is easier to treat when it is detected early. Early detection is important because that means you will have the least damage.

Causes of Heart DIsease

There are common viruses that can cause heart disease. Bacterial infections can be caused by viruses and these infections can lead to serious heart disease. Some forms of the influenza virus, fifth disease, gastrointestinal infections, mononucleosis and measles can all be the cause of heart disease. There are also infections caused by sexually transmitted disease that can cause an infection of the heart and thus lead to heart disease.

Effects of Heart Disease

Once the heart has been damaged it is nearly impossible to repair. This is why early detection is so important. The Mayo Clinic website reports that the effects of heart disease can mean a reduced functionality of the heart which may cause heart attacks, strokes, peripheral artery disease and aneurysms. It may also mean that you will need to undergo surgeries for pacemaker placement and bypasses. You may also need medical treatments such as catheterization procedures to treat the blocked arteries. In the worst cases, the effects of heart disease can mean heart failure and ultimately death.

Prevention of Heart Disease

Heart disease is easier to prevent than it is to treat. Watching your diet, eating low fat, low sodium foods are very important. Regular exercise and weight control are also an important piece of the prevention. Getting regular checkups from your primary physician is also very important. This can help to check for high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels or catch diseases like diabetes. Each one of these medical problems can increase the possibility that you will have heart disease. Also, reducing stress levels and smoking cessation can also help prevent heart disease.

References

• The American Heart Association; History of the American Heart Association; 2009
• The Mayo Clinic;Heart Disease;2009