Abstract
There are several heart illnesses which cause a large number of deaths from stroke, coronary artery disease, aortic and peripheral illnesses. The treatment of the illnesses requires a huge amount of funds and time. Therefore, there is the need to improvise or innovate new ways to prevent or detect it on earlier. The sophisticated mechanism needs to be put in place to analyze medical data to give signs of the illness through the application of analytic algorithms to provide definite signs. Technology is evolving bringing about significant changes in the medical industry, especially in electronic health records. It has led to more data collection and analysis methods in routine clinics. Doctors make use of available big data for cardiovascular diseases investigation and research. The use of technology would also facilitate the interpretation records which are typically structured or unstructured. Electronic health record systems put in place will provide extensive and broad solutions based on information they obtain from patient’s history. The records include medication, allergies, and lab test results which will be used by physicians to identify the probability of individuals suffering from heart failure. The data will also show signs or symptoms indicating the risk of the illness. Big data strategies will equip doctors with enough evidence thus help in testing and using a holistic approach to treating patients and handling the disease in a tailored manner rather than ordinary routine care. This study will guide to reveal the opportunities or challenges an individual will encounter in managing heart failure illnesses and recommendations for addressing the heart problems.
Introduction
Heart diseases include a range of conditions that affect the performance of a person’s heart some of which may be prevented or treated through observing healthy lifestyles and diets. Heart diseases are also known as cardiovascular illness, a state which involves narrowing or blocking of blood passage path. The blood vessels block or narrow limiting the normal passage of blood that triggers chest pain or heart attack. The probability of cardiovascular illnesses accelerates due to activities such as smoking, physical inactivity, diabetes, and overweight. A person’s occupation and the amount of alcohol they consume also affect the possibility of getting cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle changes including body exercises, avoiding or stopping smoking and healthy eating a balanced diet contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The prevention saves the funds used in the treatment of the heart problems.
Technological changes help to improve the quality of health care services and research collection enhance data gathering to help understand the causes of heart diseases and the means of preventing or treating them. Advancement in electronic health record system facilitates the integration of patients’ data on medical history with health care specialists. The evidence captured from the data and patient’s situation may be used for diagnosis treatment and preventive measures. Data gathered during normal patient care will be used to make interpretation concerning particular ailments. The record information will be in structured and unstructured to enable doctors interpreted and generate relevant details. Big data facilitate the vast spreading and access to medical information which patients give during a medical examination to their physicians in the clinical inspection. Currently, technology simplifies the process to collect and process information.
The process of analyzing information from multiple sources will benefit healthcare by providing information of the single patient from various sources. Electronic health record system helps in early detection methods in a cost effective manner of heart problems. The system provides a platform which guide to deeper understanding of data collected to detect chances of heart failure early. The detection will happen through the use sophisticated analysis of EHR data presented in a unique manner to show the symptoms. This system collects data from records and texts to get insights which are more accurate.
Background
Heart disease is one of the largest health problem identified in the medical sector. Cardiovascular disease results to massive death of many people mainly through a heart attack and stroke. The illness occurs due to the blood clot or due to deposits of fat forming in an artery causing them to become narrow and hard thus preventing the normal flow of blood. There are four types namely stroke, aortic sickness, peripheral arterial illness and coronary heart ailment. Coronary heart ailment occurs when fat builds up in arteries thus prevent the flow of blood rich in oxygen. The arteries narrow due to building up of atheroma thus restricting the supply of blood to heart thus causing chest pains and if they block completely resulting in heart attack. The stroke occurs when the supply of blood to some parts of the brain terminate. The oxygen-rich blood is necessary for proper function of brains. Peripheral arterial illness happens if the arteries in limbs block causing pain in legs, especially when walking. Lastly, the aortic ailment result from walls of aorta becoming weak and bugles outwards causing chest or abdomen pains. Epidemiology will help understand further issues related to heart sicknesses and the frequency and the contribution of nature. Information available on a large number of people’s records referred to as big data will be studied to advance knowledge on the cardiovascular disease and the relation to the environment.
Big data
Big data involves identifying and specifying characteristics of particular risks of a disease in a population through the study of information available. Advanced tools namely genetic and biochemical dimensions provide extensive and comprehensive information which is used to test biological changes in many people (Denaxas and Morley 3). Medical practitioners use big data and software to identify patterns existing in the medical records and establish trends which show the risks of heart attack strike probabilities. The data helps review the individual health and focus on innovation to improve people’s lives by helping them observe their lifestyles thus prevent high costs of maintaining heart illnesses and related deaths (Lail). Key factors identified in big data will assist in empowering consumers and give details on healthier lifestyles or tools to lower risks of heart disease. The details covered in big data provide information rich in content to help in advanced biomedical research. Through improvement in technology, there will be the collection of digital data in a broad and rapid manner thus, present multiple chances to test various factors and key details in all disease stages.
Physicians make drugs and treatment after reviewing systematically existing clinical records thus make medicine based on evidence gathered (Schneeweiss). This process involves using the best available information and combining small individual amounts of data to make big data algorithms (Kayyali, Knott and Van Kuiken 4). New technological devices will monitor the health status of people and gather reports which will later be assembled to be processed and give out analyzed details. These reports will be useful to customize or personalize the process of treatment and also assist in identifying opportunities or avenues to prevent diseases (Schneeweiss). Information on any attempts made in past on different procedures will be analyzed to test their outcomes through the use of computerized analytical programs (F. Sabik III). A summary of the various results of treatment procedures will be identified mostly the one with the desirable results and leads to treating a particular patient. Physicians decide the best therapy based on evaluation reports on the medical status and distinct characters in different human beings.
Big data analytics are useful in predicting high-risk individuals through a combination of evidence based on demographics, conditions surrounding and acute care utilization (White 2). Another tool which is resourceful is medication history which will be important to forecast the future spending on health care and consequent recovery or treatment patterns. The application of the above tools results in an easier treatment of patients at risk to benefit them reduces costs to a patient (Schneeweiss). With the routine collection of data, there will be a strict evaluation of medical products requiring keen intervention to enhance individual patient cure and referencing to existing data (White 2).
In future, the use of high health care information will lead to improving relation with patients thereby facilitating easier treatment which will allow doctors predict the expected outcomes. This referencing increase speed and accuracy of therapy thus will reduce time and cost incurred by the individual, family or the government to pay for medical services. Through the use of both structured and unstructured data, the medical practitioners will achieve the goal of offering treatment at a lower cost due to reduced unnecessary use of funds without obtaining desired results. Doctors will review existing records and combine with the experience to decide best-fit solution which will most benefit the patient.
Evolution of healthcare practices and research activities are resulting in the expansion of data analysis to provide a tool to collect, analyze and combine comprehensive information both structured and unstructured (Denaxas and Morley 14).
The implementation of big data leads to benefit in the treatment process. New technology makes it easy to access and review ample amounts of evidence of medical record of individuals for an extended period. Those details captured are relevant in understanding causes of a particular situation by coupling various systems (Colbert and Ganguli). The utilization of details healthcare providers obtains from planned or unplanned sources result in understanding and prediction of disease status thus ease in addressing some pain and developing medicine. The data captured is relevant to researchers, government bodies, and insurance companies (Kayyali, Knott and Van Kuiken 3). There are three variables namely volume, velocity, and variety.
The data is available from various sources like hospitals, laboratories, insurance forms and from physicians’ records where interested people easily access it (Kayyali, Knott, and Van Kuiken 3). The physicians get data during clinical reporting, and from details, individuals fill in insurance forms. The information obtained from multiple sources will be analyzed and understood to derive better and informed understanding (Denaxas and Morley 10). The process of combining data sets into big-data algorithms leads to gathering vigorous evidence in a population. The stakeholders apply a holistic approach that is more patient-centered to create value and offer neutral ground in giving health services and the outcomes. Existing records will be relevant in making timely contributions to official discussions relating to clinical matters. The content covered will determine the weight of details captured thus affecting the information they incorporate.
The current healthcare system needs to be improved because poorly managed care is also one of the reasons due to which people ignore going to healthcare centers to examine their health condition on regular basis.
Figure 1: Current Healthcare System
Cardiovascular diseases
Research on heart illnesses by various specialists shows that heart diseases contribute to a third of all deaths in the United States (Lail). Therefore, there is a need to give information to consumers and guide on healthier lifestyles to minimize risks of heart attack illnesses to save many lives (Lail). Due to the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) strategy is formulated to fight the menace by using extensive data. Data will reveal the routines and diets of individuals, therefore, set point of reference during invention and creation of solutions. Several types of CVD exist such as coronary artery illness, peripheral arterial ailment, aortic disease, and stroke. The main causes of the illness are poor diet, unhealthy lifestyles, and work environment though some are linked with ethnic background and family history of passing down the diseases. The common risk factors which accelerate the impacts identified are smoking, diabetes, failure to exercise, increase in body weight, an increase in blood cholesterol and hypertension. Also, the model of handling stress and alcohol consumption is associated with the risk of developing heart problems. The feeding habits of society and fat intake are seen to contribute largest in the developing of CVD. The illness affects mainly the adults more than children because the disease develops over a period. Diets and feeding habits which parents apply to children normally have severe health impact during the years of adulthood.
The use of big data help in identifying the signs of heart problems, early detection will help in reducing the impact and ease the treatment process. The probability of suffering heart sickness may be noted and advanced cure process initiated. Cardiovascular disease will lead to the heart blocking or narrowing of blood vessels thus will result in chest pains or cause a heart attack. Several processes will affect the normal heart running process, particularly heart muscles rhythms. Individuals subjected to stressful activities are likely to have high tension and thus high blood pressure which will increase the probability of suffering heart problems. As it is shown in the (figure 2) below that the rate of cardiovascular diseases is quiet high among all.
Figure 2: Deaths Caused by CVD
Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery illness arises when there are damage major blood vessels that supply the human heart with oxygen-rich blood with high nutrients deposits (Nelson 2). Situations where cholesterol deposits form in arteries leading to inflammation which causes coronary artery disease (Clinic). The plaque (cholesterol-containing deposits) continuously develops them because the arteries to narrow thereby decreasing the rate of blood flow to the heart. When the blood flows reduced it causes pain in chest and short breath cycles. If the arteries completely block, they may cause a heart attack. This disease develops over a period and individuals should take preventive measures and treat it. The primary cause of the illness is poor lifestyles.
Coronary artery disease begins at an early stage as individual grow from childhood to adult (Nelson 5). The patient experience prolonged damage of inner walls or layers of coronary artery and over a period the walls will finally block. The damage attributes to several factors namely smoking, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and sedentary lifestyles of people (Nelson 3). These factors are a result of human contribution thus can be controlled to reduce their impact. Atherosclerosis process occurs as inner walls of artery damage allowing fatty deposits of cholesterol and other waste products from cells to accumulate on the injured part. The affected surface ruptures or breaks, platelets cells try to cover and repair the damaged surface causing a blood clot. The breakdown leads to blocking of the artery which leads to heart attack (Clinic). Several risk factors increase the probability of coronary artery disease as discussed below.
The increase of individuals’ age accelerates or increments the possibilities of damaged arteries due to narrowing as individuals grow older. The sex of human also affects the risk of men being more prone than women. However, these change once women pass menopause and rise (Sharma 602). Also, smoking exposes people to heart problem whether it is direct or second-hand smoke. Individuals who are victims of uncontrolled high blood pressure may cause arteries to harden and become thick thus narrow the blood passage route. Further accumulation of cholesterol levels in blood contribute to the formation of plaques and atherosclerosis. Lastly diabetes and obesity are also risk factors. Overweight and lack of exercise will expose people to more risk due to inactivity and contraction of arteries. Moreover, the amount of unrelieved stress damages the arteries thus exposes individuals to the big risk of heart problems. The above factors may occur in a cluster with one event leading to the other as illustrated below. Failure to Exercise leads to obesity which in turn cause diabetes and rise in blood pressure. Sometimes the factors occur jointly exposing more the risk of coronary artery disease.
Several complications are identified in coronary artery disease namely chest pains, heart attack or failure, and abnormal rhythm. Chest pains happen when there is a lack of enough supply of blood in heart mainly during physical activities causing shortness of breath. Heart failure and attack occur when the plaque breaks leading to blocking of a heart artery. Heart electrical impulses are also affected when there is an inadequate supply of blood to the heart causing abnormal heart rhythm. It is clearly mentioned in the graph below that coronary heart disease rate is higher than other heart diseases.
Figure 3: Major causes of CVD death, 2012
Preventing coronary artery disease using big data
Early detection
Coronary heart disease starts developing from childhood level. Therefore, its prevention and treatment should begin early enough to minimize the effects. Clinical records should be kept well and in an integrated manner to assist in tracking body performance and observe any signs of risk of heart ailment mostly atherosclerosis. Early detection of symptoms of coronary artery disease is important to help healthcare providers prepare cure depending on established evidence rather than standard procedure. The clinical visits will capture all data and combine it to derive a better understanding of health state and thus make an informed decision. Several cure and prevention processes depend on the availability of information to bring solution thus they emphasize the need to preserve both structured and unstructured data for use in future predictions.
Big data will be used to advise on the relevance for regular checkup to investigate signs of atherosclerosis. During the checkup process, information will be collected and stored in records or medical database to be used in future reference. Information gathered during several clinical inspection and tests will give an accurate guideline on developments of signs of any illness. This intelligence will initiate the curing process thus the emphasis on regular and frequent checkups to allow the gathering of sufficient medical trend which will help early diagnosis and simple treatment.
Stress management
Big data will be used to give information relevant to guide the patients on stress management and provide counseling to help minimize the impact of stress. The data reveal a predetermined condition thus help in instilling strategies to handle stress and stressful situations. Information obtained which show events or things that happen to individual resulting in stress will be identified, and guidance is given to control similar occurrences and their outcomes.
The use of big data enables the healthcare provider to identify dietary and lifestyles which do increase the risk of coronary artery disease, therefore, contribute to establishing healthy diets, lifestyles and non-risky leisure activities such as avoiding smoking. The data include the activities and the lifestyles of an individual’s indicating those they need to avoid to prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis. This data will guide in formulation on tips to proper diets and emphasize on particular activities which will minimize the risks of heart illness. The details captured are resourceful in the formulating plan to stop activities such as smoking. Healthcare providers highly depend on the existing data to form and implement preventive measures to cap the impact of coronary artery disease .
Recommendations
The patients or individuals receive advice to undertake frequent clinical checkups and give accurate data which will be relevant in future to provide a cure. The checkups will allow early detection and prevention of health risks reducing the impact of sicknesses. Also, there is need to observe the diets people consume from a very young age to minimize the possibility of heart diseases. Lastly, there is growing need to have stress management sessions and healthy living tips. These will guide on facing stressing or challenging situations with ease.
Conclusion
Big data is crucial in identification, cure, and outcome prediction in cardiovascular diseases. The details in the data apply in establishing the statuses of illness thus guide in determining the medicine and personalization of cure. The disease is caused by human activities thus some measures can be taken to reduce the probability of getting them. Data obtained will be used to form treatment based on available evidence to ensure accuracy thus reduce the costs incurred in curing the diseases. The disease develops over a period. Therefore, the earlier detection will be substantial in the healing process.
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