Heart diseases occurred in a variety of forms and have an impact on the heart in different ways at different moments in life. Heart diseases can be caused by different kinds of infections such as virus, bacteria, through metabolic problems derived from thyroid disorders, and reactions to drugs and alcohol. Heart disease changes the structures of the heart including the heart muscles, heart valves, and heart arteries. Heart disease will incur pathologic tissue reactions including inflammation, infection, and various forms of atherosclerosis.

Going for a diagnosis of the heart will find out the cause of heart damage, how much is the heart damage and functionality impaired and how much restriction it causes on the patient’s activities.

In order to perform diagnosis of the heart and obtain a complete evaluation report, doctor will conduct a thorough historical review, physical examination, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram of the heart. Most people that suffered from heart disease show no symptoms even after they were diagnosed through electrocardiogram and have three or four X rays. These patients will therefore be required to go through special procedures in order to obtain a satisfactory diagnosis. Such procedures may use invasive techniques such as catherization that require the patients to be hospitalized.

Heart disease patient will have a persistent cough but it is more commonly derived from other conditions that do not involve the heart. Some other symptoms that are specific to a heart disease patient include shortness of breath following a physical activity, chest pain that is accompanied by discomfort, pressure, and choking, and consciousness of the heart pounding with an empty feeling in the chest and choking or coughing, frequently have to wake up in sleep to empty a full bladder, sleep interruption such as shortness of breath, cough and heart pounding. Symptoms alone do not determine a person is suffering from heart disease if it is not accompanied by circumstances.

In physical examination, a doctor uses a stethoscope to determine if the heart of the patient is abnormal and affecting the lung or the lung is abnormal and affecting the heart. If there is fluid congestion in the lungs, the doctor will hear a crackling sound in the lower chest. The heart of a patient that suffers from valve obstruction will produce a vibration called thrill that resembles a cat’s purring. The heartbeat produce normal sounds when the patient is healthy and not suffering from any disease.

The electrocardiogram records a sample of the heart beat of the patient. In case of a heart attack, it is necessary to monitor every heart beat. The electrocardiogram is usually used in coronary or intensive care units where it continually display the heart beat on an oscilloscopic screen to monitor changes in the rhythm which may indicate fatal disturbances.

Some heart disease can be cured if the causes of the heart damage are determined. The treatment of a heart condition involves direct and indirect medical and surgical treatment. Treatment can directly have effect on the heart, for example when digitalis is prescribed to strengthen the patient’s heart muscle.

In order to have a healthy heart, the patient must change his personal habit. Obesity may lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, increase in cholesterol and fasten the development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, an obese person should reduce the consumption of calories in their diet. Saturated animal fats should be replaced with unsaturated vegetable fats. Consumption of salt should be restricted in the person’s diet. This is because sodium raises high blood pressure, aggravates inadequate heart function, and increase the risk of congestive heart failure.

People that suffer from heart disease should also refrain from smoking, alcohol, and caffeine containing liquids.

Exercise will improve the cardio-circulatory efficiency, improves collateral artery circulation, help to heal the damages self image, and relieving depression.