Disease Comparison
Compare similarities and differences between two diseases.
Heart Attack
Unknown
4
Symptoms
6
Causes
0
Treatments
5
FAQs
VS
Cataract
Moderate
2
Symptoms
0
Causes
0
Treatments
5
FAQs
Overview
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked, preventing the affected tissue from receiving enough oxygen. Without prompt treatment, the heart muscle can become permanently damaged. Symptoms may include chest pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain that spreads to the arm, back, neck, or jaw.
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens inside the eye. As the lens becomes cloudy, less light reaches the retina and vision may become blurred, dim, or less sharp. Cataracts usually develop gradually and are most common with increasing age, although they can also occur after eye injury, surgery, certain diseases, or prolonged exposure to factors that damage the lens. Cataracts may affect one or both eyes but do not spread from one eye to the other.
Symptoms
Shared
None
Only in Left Disease
Abdominal Tenderness Difficulty Digesting Food Mucus In Stool Rectal BleedingOnly in Right Disease
Blurred Vision Eye DischargeCauses
Shared
None
Only in Left Disease
Genetics High Cholesterol Insulin Resistance Obesity Smoking StressOnly in Right Disease
None
Diagnosis
Heart Attack
Diagnosis of a heart attack requires urgent clinical assessment. Doctors may use an electrocardiogram to look for changes in the heart's electrical activity and blood tests, especially cardiac troponin, to detect heart muscle injury. Echocardiography, coronary angiography, or other imaging may be used to determine the extent and location of blockage or damage.
Cataract
Cataracts are diagnosed through an eye examination and assessment of vision. An eye care professional may test visual acuity and examine the lens and other structures of the eye using a slit lamp or other instruments. The pupils may be dilated so that the back of the eye can be examined and other causes of vision loss can be assessed. Additional tests may be used when another eye condition is suspected or when surgery is being planned.
Prevention
Heart Attack
Heart attack risk can be reduced by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Taking prescribed cardiovascular medicines as directed and attending recommended medical follow-up can also reduce risk. Some risk factors, such as age and family history, cannot be changed.
Cataract
Not all cataracts can be prevented, especially those related to aging. Measures that may help reduce risk include protecting the eyes from ultraviolet light with appropriate sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, avoiding smoking, protecting the eyes from injury, and controlling medical conditions such as diabetes. A healthy diet containing fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains may support overall eye health. Regular eye examinations can help detect cataracts and other causes of vision changes.
Risk Factors
Heart Attack
Risk of heart attack increases with smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, increasing age, and a family history of coronary artery disease. Previous cardiovascular disease also increases risk. Some risk factors can be modified, while others, including age and family history, cannot be changed.
Cataract
Older age is the most important risk factor for cataracts. Other factors include diabetes, a family history of cataracts, previous eye injury or eye surgery, long-term use of corticosteroids or certain other medicines, smoking, radiation exposure, and prolonged ultraviolet light exposure. Some inflammatory eye diseases and other medical conditions can also increase risk. Risk generally increases as the lens is exposed to these factors over time.
Treatment
Heart Attack
Treatment comparison will be available soon.
Cataract
Treatment comparison will be available soon.