Heart Disease

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Disorders that affect the heart or circulatory system are called cardiovascular disorders. Cardiovascular disorders are divided into two groups; heart disease and peripheral blood vessel disorders.

Heart disease refers to any disorder which affects the ability of the heart to function normally. This is most commonly caused by a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart. Peripheral blood vessel disorders take place outside the heart and affect the circulation of blood reaching the periphery of the body—namely the arms, legs, and trunk.

Types of Heart Disease

There are many diseases which can affect the functioning of the heart muscle. Some of these include:

• Coronary artery disease – also known as atherosclerosis; in this condition, the arteries that provide blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart muscle tissue harden narrow


• Heart attack – medically known as a myocardial infarction; occurs when a coronary artery is partially or completely blocked, depriving the heart of blood, oxygen, and nutrients, causing heart tissue to die


• Palpitations and abnormal heart rhythms – these symptoms can be normal, but when combined with other symptoms may indicate a serious disorder


• Heart failure – refers to the inability of the heart to properly pump the required volume of blood to the rest of the body


• Heart valve disease – heart valves keep blood moving in one direction through the heart chambers; when there is a problem with a valve, blood can slough backwards into the previous chamber


• Congenital heart disease – a birth defect in one or more structures of the heart or blood vessels; heredity may play a role in congenital heart problems


• Heart muscle disease – medically known as cardiomyopathy; a heart with this disorder is not able to pump blood effectively due to heart muscle tissue which has become enlarged, thickened, or stiffened; left untreated, the disorder can worsen and lead to heart failure or heart arrhythmias


• Pericardial disease – rare infectious diseases can attack the pericardium tissue that surrounds and protects the heart


• Aorta disease – this includes atherosclerosis, hypertension, injuries, genetic conditions, and other connective tissue disorders


• Heart Tumor – tumors rarely initially form in the heart and generally metastasize from other tumor locations within the body.

Symptoms of heart disease may be subtle and include; pain, shortness or breath, fatigue, limited physical exertion, palpitations, dizziness and fainting, numbness, and changes in skin color.

Causes of Heart Disease

Heart disease may be caused by congenital and hereditary conditions. Hypertension, high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms can also cause heart disease. Lifestyle and diet can both cause and prevent the development of heart disease. Managing your blood pressure, altering your lifestyle to control stress, not smoking and moderating alcohol intake are all good ways to lessen the risk of heart disease. Regular exercise, and a diet rich in a mixture of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is also of significant benefit.

Diagnosis

If you are having symptoms of heart disease, see a doctor as soon as possible for a medical evaluation. More often than not, the heart is found to be healthy and a less serious disorder involving another organ is diagnosed. But if you suspect a heart issue, don't put off making an appointment for an exam—it's not worth the risk.

By Doug Vanisky