It is important to educate yourself as much as possible when it comes to heart problems.
Heart complications are unfortunate occurrences in human health. Not only are heart complications common, but they are frightening, debilitating and potentially deadly. Understanding some major heart complications is critical for knowing what can happen following a major heart problem.
Arrhythmia
Damage to the heart can result in a complication called arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm. If the heart has been damaged, certain electrical paths that regulate the heart can be thrown off, affecting the rhythm. There are also some medications that can lead to heart arrhythmia or other serious complications. Atrial arrhythmia is mild, but ventricular arrhythmia or "heart block" can be fatal. This, however, usually occurs within 24 hours following a heart attack.
Heart Failure
Another complication is heart failure which can occur if 30 percent or more of the left ventricle is damaged. Shortness of breath is a tell-tale symptom of this condition, because it indicates that the heart is not able to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid in the lungs. Medication is usually enough to treat the problem, but surgery might be required.
Blood Clot
A blood clot is a commonly known heart complication. Unsteady blood flow or a lack of blood flow in damaged heart areas can cause clots. The biggest risk comes if the tip of the left ventricle is damaged, or if there is an aneurysm. The best form of prevention is to be as active as possible, depending on how you feel. Being bedridden can increase the risk of clots in the legs, which can break off and make their way to the lungs, causing clots or blockage in the lungs as well. Blood thinner medications are usually used to treat and prevent clots.
Heart Attack
While heart attacks can lead to a plethora of complications, a heart attack is itself a complication. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 90 percent of heart attacks are the result of plaque building up in the coronary arteries. This complication can also occur when a coronary artery suddenly spasms, causing it to contract and restrict blood flow to the heart.
