Onto Fitness Australia

Tag: Heart

  • Microvascular Angina When it affects the Heart

    Microvascular Angina: When it affects the heart, particularly in the context of chest pain or angina that is due to small vessel dysfunction rather than blockages in the larger coronary arteries.

    Microvascular angina is a specific type of angina (chest pain) that occurs when the smaller coronary arteries in the heart malfunction. Unlike the more common form of angina, which is usually caused by blockages or narrowing in the larger coronary arteries, microvascular angina is due to issues in the smaller vessels. These small vessels are crucial for the fine-tuning of blood flow to the heart muscle, especially during times of increased demand like physical exertion or emotional stress.

    In microvascular angina, even though the larger coronary arteries are not significantly blocked, the smaller vessels cannot dilate properly to increase blood flow as needed. This leads to a mismatch between the oxygen demand and supply to the heart muscle, causing symptoms similar to traditional angina, such as chest pain or discomfort. However, this condition can be more challenging to diagnose because standard tests like coronary angiograms, which visualize the larger coronary arteries, might appear normal.

    People with microvascular angina often experience chest pain more frequently and for longer durations than those with classical angina. The pain might not necessarily be triggered by physical exertion and can occur during rest or even emotional stress. Treatment for microvascular angina typically involves medications that improve blood flow or reduce the workload of the heart, lifestyle changes, and sometimes therapies to manage pain and other symptoms.

  • Small Vessel Disease Other Names

    Small vessel disease, often referred to in the context of its impact on the brain or heart, is known by several other names, including:

    1. Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD): When it affects the brain, leading to conditions such as stroke and dementia.
    2. Small Vessel Ischemic Disease: This term emphasizes the ischemic (restricted blood flow) aspect of the disease in the brain.
    3. Microvascular Disease: A broader term that refers to diseases affecting small blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the heart and brain.
    4. Microangiopathy: This is a more technical term that specifically denotes disease in the small blood vessels.
    5. Lacunar Disease: Particularly in the context of the brain, it refers to small vessel disease that leads to lacunar infarcts, which are small areas of stroke due to blockage of small blood vessels.
    6. Microvascular Angina: When it affects the heart, particularly in the context of chest pain or angina that is due to small vessel dysfunction rather than blockages in the larger coronary arteries.
    7. Coronary Microvascular Disease (CMD): This is specifically related to the heart, where small vessels in the heart are affected.

    These terms can sometimes be used interchangeably, but they may also highlight different aspects or locations of the disease. For instance, cerebral small vessel disease focuses on the brain, whereas coronary microvascular disease is specific to the heart.

  • What does a crease on your ear lobe tell you about health

    A crease on the earlobe, often referred to as Frank’s sign, has been a subject of interest among medical researchers due to its potential association with heart disease. The theory is that the earlobe crease might indicate the presence of cardiovascular disease or an increased risk of heart-related events, such as heart attacks. This hypothesis is based on observations that some people with coronary artery disease also have a diagonal crease on their earlobes. However, it’s essential to note that the presence of an earlobe crease is not a definitive indicator of heart disease on its own. It’s one of many factors that might be considered in assessing cardiovascular risk.

    Several studies have explored this connection, but the findings have been mixed. Some research suggests that there might be a correlation between earlobe creases and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, especially when the crease is bilateral (present on both earlobes). Other studies, however, have found no significant link or have determined that the earlobe crease is not a reliable predictor of heart disease when compared with other, more established risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and smoking.

    It’s crucial for individuals not to rely solely on the appearance of their earlobes as an indicator of their heart health. If you have concerns about your cardiovascular risk, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider. They can perform a comprehensive assessment based on a wide range of risk factors and diagnostic tests to provide a more accurate picture of your heart health.