Different Types of Heart Disease
What is Heart Disease?
To start, Heart Disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. While heart disease does not have a cure, the symptoms can be relieved with a combination of medical procedures, medications and healthy lifestyle changes. Noninvasive tests, such as Electrocardiogram (EKG) and Echocardiograms (ECG’s) can be used to diagnose heart disease.
- Leading cause of death: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 1 in every 4 deaths.
- Hospitalizations: Nearly 8 million hospitalizations in the United States each year are due to heart disease.
Factors That Contribute to Heart Disease
Risk factors for heart disease include:
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- obesity
- physical inactivity
- smoking
- unhealthy diet
- family history of heart disease
Early detection and treatment can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease and prevent complications.
Different Types of Heart Disease
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. CAD is caused by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries, which cause them to narrow over time, partially or completely blocking the blood flow.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle isn’t getting enough blood, which carries oxygen and other nutrients to the heart muscle. When there isn’t enough blood flowing, sudden blockage of the coronary arteries results in a heart attack.
Heart Failure
Heart Failure happens when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. During heart failure, blood backs up and fluid can end up in your lungs, leading to shortness of breath.
Arrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythms can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Additionally, Arrhythmias take place when the electrical impulses coordinating your heartbeats aren’t working properly.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a type of heart disease that can makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. Specifically, this condition causes the heart muscles to grow weak and/or harden.
Congenital Heart Disease
Finally, Congenital Heart Disease refers to a group of structural abnormalities in the heart that are present at birth. CHD can involve the walls of the heart, the valves, or the blood vessels near the heart.
Sometimes defects do not cause any issues. However, complex defects may cause life-threatening complications. For example, these include blue-tinged skin, swelling and difficulty breathing.
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