What is the Heart?

DAFTAR ISI:

The heart is a vital organ that plays a crucial role in maintaining human health. Understanding heart functions and recognizing signs of heart disease are essential to prevent serious complications. Explore heart diseases, their characteristics, and available treatments.

The heart is a vital organ crucial in the human circulatory system. This muscular organ, about the size of an adult’s fist, is located in the chest cavity between the lungs. Its main function is to pump blood throughout the body via blood vessels.

The heart consists of four chambers: right and left atria and right and left ventricles. The heart walls are made up of heart muscle called myocardium.

The heart works tirelessly throughout a human’s life, beating about 60-100 times per minute in a healthy adult, pumping approximately 70 ml of blood with each beat, totaling about 7,200 liters of blood pumped throughout the body each day.

The heart pumps blood that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells while removing metabolic waste.

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a general term encompassing various disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. One of the most common types of heart disease is Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), which occurs when the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup.

This can disrupt blood flow to the heart and cause various serious complications. Other types of heart disease include heart failure, arrhythmias, heart valve diseases, and cardiomyopathy. Each type has different causes, symptoms, and treatments. Generally, heart diseases can be life-threatening if not appropriately managed.

Heart Disease in Indonesia

Heart disease remains one of the highest causes of death in Indonesia. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, cardiovascular diseases kill more than 17 million people globally each year. In Indonesia, cardiovascular diseases result in 651,481 deaths annually.

This figure includes: stroke contributing to 331,349 deaths, coronary heart diseases with 245,343 deaths, hypertensive heart diseases amounting to 50,620 deaths, other cardiovascular diseases as reported by IHME in 2019 The prevalence of heart disease in Indonesia has been rising annually.

According to the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas), the prevalence of heart disease based on doctor diagnoses reached 15% of the total population, indicating that about 27 million Indonesians suffer from heart disease.

Alarmingly, this prevalence tends to be higher in the productive age group, peaking in the 55-64 age group. The main risk factors for heart disease in Indonesia showing a worrying trend include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity.

Additionally, unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, lack of physical activity, and an unbalanced diet continue to pose significant challenges in controlling heart disease in Indonesia.

Causes of Heart Disease

The causes of heart disease vary depending on the type of disease. However, several common factors that can increase the risk of heart disease include:

Atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup in the arterial walls causing blood vessel narrowing.
Hypertension: High blood pressure that overworks the heart.
High Cholesterol: High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels.
Obesity: Excess weight strains the heart.
Smoking: Chemicals in cigarettes damage blood vessels.
Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of heart disease.
Stress: Can trigger increased blood pressure and heart rate.
Genetic Factors: Family history of heart disease.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

The symptoms of heart disease can vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. Some common heart disease symptoms to watch for include:

Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
Shortness of breath, especially during activity
Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
Excessive fatigue
Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
Dizziness or fainting
Cold sweat
Nausea or vomiting
Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, or back

It is important to remember that some people with heart disease may not show clear symptoms. Therefore, routine examinations are highly recommended, especially for those with high risk factors.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Risk factors for heart disease can be divided into two categories: modifiable and non-modifiable.

Modifiable risk factors:

Smoking
Hypertension
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Unhealthy diet
Excessive stress
Excessive alcohol consumption

Non-modifiable risk factors:

Age (risk increases with age)
Gender (men have a higher risk)
Family history of heart disease
Ethnicity (some ethnic groups have a higher risk)

Recognizing and managing modifiable risk factors is crucial in the prevention of heart disease.

Heart Disease Diagnosis

Diagnosing heart disease involves several steps starting from anamnesis (medical interview) and a thorough physical examination. The doctor will ask about symptoms, personal and family health history, and the patient’s risk factors. Subsequently, several supporting examinations may be required, including:

Electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess the heart’s electrical activity
Echocardiogram for heart ultrasound examination
Heart stress test to evaluate the heart’s response to physical activity
Blood tests to measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels
Coronary angiography for imaging the heart’s blood vessels using a contrast agent
CT scan or MRI of the heart to view the heart’s structure in detail Combining these examinations helps the doctor make an accurate diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment.

Heart Disease Treatment

Treatment of heart disease aims to reduce symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and prevent complications. Treating heart involves a combination of the following:

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management.
Medications
Antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel) to prevent blood clots
Statins to lower cholesterol
ACE inhibitors or Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) to control blood pressure
Beta-blockers to reduce the workload on the heart
Diuretics to reduce fluid retention
Invasive procedures in more serious cases may be necessary:
Stent placement and angioplasty to open blocked arteries
Heart bypass surgery to redirect blood flow around a blocked artery
Implantation of pacemakers or defibrillators to address arrhythmias
Cardiac rehabilitation for a structured program involving physical exercise, education, and psychosocial support to assist patient recovery post-heart attack or heart procedure. The heart disease treatment plan will be tailored to the patient’s specific condition, severity of the disease, and risk factors.

Heart Disease Complications

Untreated heart disease can lead to various serious complications, including:

Heart attack (myocardial infarction) Occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, causing damage or death to heart tissue.
Heart failure A condition where the heart weakens and cannot pump blood effectively to other parts of the body.
Arrhythmias Heart rhythm disorders that can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
Stroke Occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, usually due to a blood clot.
Aneurysm Weakening and enlargement of a blood vessel wall that is at risk of bursting.
Peripheral artery disease Narrowing of blood vessels in the limbs that can cause pain and circulation problems.
Sudden cardiac arrest Sudden cessation of heart function that can be fatal if not promptly addressed. Early prevention and management are crucial to reduce the risk of the above complications.

Heart Disease Prevention

Preventing heart disease involves a series of steps aimed at reducing risk factors and maintaining overall heart health. Effective ways to prevent heart disease include:

Quitting smoking or avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke.
Keeping blood pressure within normal limits (below 120/80 mmHg).
Controlling blood cholesterol levels, especially lowering LDL and increasing HDL.
Managing diabetes well through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.
Maintaining an ideal weight and reducing obesity.
Engaging in regular physical activity, at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity.
Consuming a healthy diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and low in saturated fats.
Limiting alcohol consumption.
Managing stress through relaxation techniques, counseling, or meditation.
Undergoing regular health screenings, especially for those with high risk factors.

It is important to remember that heart disease prevention is a lifelong process that requires commitment and consistency.

When Should You Get a Heart Examination at Tirta Medical Centre (TMC)?

Medical check-up for heart examinations at Tirta Medical Centre should be performed regularly, especially for individuals who have high risk factors for heart disease. Conditions that indicate the need for an immediate heart examination include:

Experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, irregular heartbeats, or shortness of breath.
Having a family history of heart disease.
Being over 45 years old for men and over 55 years old for women.
Suffering from hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Having a risky lifestyle such as smoking or obesity.
Starting an intensive exercise program, especially for those who were previously inactive.
Experiencing excessive fatigue or unexplained stamina decline.

Tirta Medical Centre offers a variety of comprehensive heart examination services, from basic tests to advanced diagnostic procedures. Consultation with a cardiac specialist at Tirta Medical Centre will help determine the appropriate type of examination based on individual conditions and risk factors. By understanding the importance of heart health and taking preventative steps as well as regular check-ups, we can reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall quality of life.

Questions & Reservations

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