Un-break My Heart

Do this – Take a tennis ball in your hand (that is, in reality, the size of your heart). Squeeze at it hard; and try to mimic the contractions that your heart experiences every time it is ready to pump some blood out of it. Now repeat this action around 100,000 times. That’s the number of times your little heart has to contract and expand to pump blood throughout the circulatory system of your body.

When everything seems to be in order, the heart is one real powerful machine. But unfortunately, some conditions can alter the power machine and make things go kaput.

Read on to learn about some of the biggest heartbreakers there are; and know your enemies.

Blood Clot –

Causes

Plaque gets built up along the inner walls of the artery; and it sometimes breaks away from its original spot, due to stress, a rupture or some plain old inflammation. These pieces of broken-away plaque will sometimes enter the main bloodstream.

Prevent It

The easiest way would be to prevent smoking. Ensure that you lower the levels of cholesterol in your meal plans. Exercise regularly.

If Left Untreated

It might even stop blood flow. This could lead to a heart attack. Clots can, eventually, lead to heart diseases.

Remedy It

Low dose aspirin or other blood thinners might help prevent the formation of clots.

Arrhythmia –

Causes

The heart will beat in a pattern unlike its normal pattern. There will be a fluttering feeling involved in the chest. This would lead to abnormal pumping of blood; and might even decrease the flow of blood to the different parts of your body. This might cause you to feel lightheaded; and in some cases, you might even pass out.

Prevent It

Age and genetics are the kind of factors that are beyond human control; so that bit you can’t control. You could, however, kick the butt. That is the least you can do to better this condition.

If Left Untreated

It is universal for your heart to skip a beat once in a while. But when atrial fibrillation strikes, it brings with it an increased chance of strokes.

Remedy It

Avoiding stimulants might help you in controlling arrhythmia. Give up on caffeine; and start eating healthy meals. Those with more severe cases of arrhythmia might actually need to undergo surgery.

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Causes

The mitral valve of the heart is located between the left ventricle and the left atrium. If it swells and doesn’t really close properly, it might allow the blood to flow backward into the heart. This condition is known to be common amongst middle aged women. In some cases, there may seem to be no or little symptoms. Others, however, might experience some sort of fatigue and dizziness.

Prevent It

In most cases, a genetic condition might bring about such a condition; and this cannot be prevented, can it? The doctor might be able to detect a prolapsed if he/she hears an abnormal clicking sound while hearing your heartbeat through the stethoscope.  That little click is the sound of the valve expanding as it moves every time.

If Left Untreated

In a lot of cases, there isn’t the absolute need to get it treated. In the case of those who suffer from this condition, they have to ensure that they inform their doctors before any sort of surgery is conducted on them.

Remedy It

Take some sort of beta-blocking drugs. These should help you to undergo surgery or should help by repairing the valve.