Knox Hagley, Contributor

It is of interest to note that up until the middle of the 20th Century, heart attacks seldom occurred in Jamaica.

In recent years, heart disease has been the cause of the largest number of deaths on an annual basis in Jamaica.

Two types of heart disease are mainly responsible for the deaths: that which results from uncontrolled hypertension and the other caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle which results from arteriosclerosis of the coronary arteries and widely known at the 'hardening and narrowing' of the arteries. 'Heart attacks' are the most well known manifestation of the latter disease.

There are however, other types of heart disease, which contribute to the yearly deaths. Heart disease occurs in all age groups. Some infants are born with a defective heart (congenital heart disease). Some children who develop a sore throat caused by the germ streptococcus and at risk for the development of rheumatic heart disease, if the sore throat is not adequately treated. Rheumatic fever affects all three layers of the heart, is the major cause of disease of the heart valves and accounts for a large percentage of surgical cardiac operations carried out in Jamaica.

Much less common is a disease of the heart muscles (cardiomyopathy) where causation is varied. Cardiomyopathy caused by excessive drinking of alcohol is well known but in many cases the exact causes are unknown. An acute inflammation of heart muscle (myocarditis) caused by viruses is infrequently seen.

Manifestations

The manifestations of heart disease are varied and include irregular heart rhythms, chest pain and cardiac failure, which may supervene in any form of heart disease and cause sudden death.

The treatment of heart disease includes dietary measures and other healthy styles of living, use of medications and surgical operations. The truth is, however, much of the heart disease in the Jamaican community can be prevented.