overview
Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart. Heart disease includes:
• Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease.
• Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.
• Heart conditions that you're re born with, called congenital heart defects.
• Disease of the heart muscle.
• Heart valve disease.
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Symptoms of Heart Disease
Heart disease symptoms vary depending on the type of heart condition.
Symptoms of Heart Disease in the Blood Vessels
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common heart condition that affects the major blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. It occurs due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in the artery walls, forming plaque. This process, known as atherosclerosis, restricts blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body, potentially leading to a heart attack, chest pain (angina), or stroke.
Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease:
• Chest pain, tightness, pressure, or discomfort (angina).
• Shortness of breath.
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, or back.
• Pain, numbness, weakness, or coldness in the arms or legs if blood flow is reduced in those areas.
Many people may not be diagnosed with coronary artery disease until they experience a serious event like a heart attack, stroke, angina, or heart failure. Regular health checkups can help detect heart disease early. If you experience any concerning symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.
Symptoms Caused by Irregular Heartbeats (Arrhythmias)
The heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. Heart arrhythmia symptoms can include:
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Dizziness.
• Fainting or almost fainting.
• Fluttering in the chest.
• Lightheadedness.
• Racing heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath.
• Slow heartbeat.
Symptoms Caused by Congenital Heart Defects
A congenital heart defect is a heart condition present at birth. Serious congenital heart defects are usually noticed soon after birth. Symptoms in children may include:
• Blue or gray skin (easier or harder to see depending on skin color).
• Swelling in the legs, belly area, or areas around the eyes.
• In infants, shortness of breath during feedings, leading to poor weight gain.
Some congenital heart defects may not be found until later in childhood or adulthood. Symptoms may include:
• Getting very short of breath during exercise or activity.
• Easily tiring during exercise or activity.
• Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet.
Symptoms Caused by Diseased Heart Muscle (Cardiomyopathy)
In the early stages, cardiomyopathy may not cause noticeable symptoms. As the condition worsens, symptoms may include:
1.Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting.
2. Fatigue.
3. Feeling short of breath during activity or at rest.
4. Feeling short of breath at night when trying to sleep or waking up short of breath.
5. Rapid, pounding, or fluttering heartbeats.
6. Swollen legs, ankles, or feet.
Symptoms Caused by Heart Valve Disease
The heart has four valves that open and close to move blood through the heart. Damage to the heart valves can cause stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (backward blood flow). Symptoms depend on which valve isn't working properly and may include:
• Chest pain.
• Fainting or almost fainting.
• Fatigue.
• Irregular heartbeats.
• Shortness of breath.
• Swollen feet or ankles.
When to See a Doctor
Get emergency medical help if you experience:
• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fainting.
Always call 911 or your local emergency number if you think you might be having a heart attack.
If you believe you have symptoms of heart disease, schedule a health checkup. Early detection makes treatment easier.
Causes
To understand the causes of heart disease, it may help to understand how the heart works.
• The heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers are called the atria. The two lower chambers are called the ventricles.
• The right side of the heart moves blood to the lungs through blood vessels called the pulmonary arteries.
• In the lungs, blood gets oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood goes to the left side of the heart through the pulmonary veins.
• The left side of the heart then pumps the blood through the body's main artery, called the aorta. The blood then goes to the rest of the body.
Heart Valves
Four valves in the heart keep blood flowing in the right direction. These valves are:
Aortic valve.
Mitral valve.
Pulmonary valve.
Tricuspid valve.
Each valve has flaps, called leaflets or cusps. The flaps open and close once during each heartbeat. If a valve flap doesn't open or close properly, less blood moves out of the heart to the rest of the body.
Heartbeats
The heart's electrical system keeps the heart beating. The heart's electrical signals start in a group of cells at the top of the heart called the sinus node. They pass through a pathway between the upper and lower heart chambers called the atrioventricular (AV) node. The movement of the signals causes the heart to squeeze and pump blood.
Causes of Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by the buildup of plaque in the walls of the coronary arteries. This plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, and other substances. Over time, the buildup narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. The main causes of CAD include:
• High cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Unhealthy diet
• Family history of heart disease
These factors increase the risk of plaque buildup, leading to reduced oxygen supply to the heart, which can cause chest pain (angina) or lead to a heart attack.
A buildup of fatty substances in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, is the most common cause of coronary artery disease. Risk factors include an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and smoking. Healthy lifestyle choices can help lower the risk of atherosclerosis.
Causes of Irregular Heartbeats, Called Arrhythmias
Common causes of arrhythmias or conditions that can lead to them include:
• Heart muscle disease, called cardiomyopathy.
• Coronary artery disease.
• Diabetes.
• Illegal drugs such as cocaine.
• Emotional stress.
• Too much alcohol or caffeine.
• Heart conditions present at birth, called congenital heart defects.
• High blood pressure.
• Smoking.
• Heart valve disease.
• Some medicines, herbs, and supplements.
Causes of Congenital Heart Defects
A congenital heart defect happens while a baby is growing in the womb. Healthcare professionals aren’t sure exactly what causes most congenital heart defects. But gene changes, some medical conditions, some medicines, and environmental or lifestyle factors may play a role.
Causes of Heart Muscle Disease, Called Cardiomyopathy
The cause of cardiomyopathy depends on the type. There are three types:
• Dilated cardiomyopathy: This is the most common type of cardiomyopathy. The cause is often unknown. It may be passed down through families, which means it's inherited.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This type is usually passed down through families.
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy: This type of cardiomyopathy can happen for no known reason. Sometimes, a buildup of protein called amyloid causes it. Other causes include connective tissue disorders.
Causes of Heart Valve Disease
Many things can cause a damaged or diseased heart valve. Some people are born with heart valve disease. If this happens, it's called congenital heart valve disease.
Other causes of heart valve disease can include
• Rheumatic fever.
• Infection in the lining of the heart valves, called infectious endocarditis.
• Connective tissue disorders.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
• Age. Growing older increases the risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and a weakened or thickened heart muscle.
• Sex Assigned at Birth. Men are generally at greater risk of heart disease. The risk in women increases after menopause.
• Family History. A family history of heart disease increases the risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a parent developed it at an early age (before age 55 for a male relative and 65 for a female relative).
• Smoking. Substances in tobacco smoke damage the arteries. Heart attacks are more common in people who smoke than in those who don’t. Quitting smoking reduces the risk.
• Unhealthy Diet. Diets high in fat, salt, sugar, and cholesterol have been linked to heart disease.
• High Blood Pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can harden and thicken the arteries, altering blood flow to the heart and body.
• High Cholesterol. High cholesterol increases the risk of atherosclerosis, which has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
• Diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. Obesity and high blood pressure also increase the risk of both diabetes and heart disease.
• Obesity. Excess weight typically worsens other heart disease risk factors.
• Lack of Exercise. Being inactive is associated with many forms of heart disease and some of its risk factors.
• Stress. Emotional stress may damage arteries and worsen other heart disease risk factors.
• Poor Dental Health. Unhealthy teeth and gums make it easier for germs to enter the bloodstream and reach the heart, potentially causing an infection called endocarditis. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups help reduce this risk.
Complications
Possible complications of heart disease are:
• Heart failure. This is one of the most common complications of heart disease. The heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
• Heart attack. A heart attack can happen if a piece of plaque in an artery or a blood clot moves to the heart.
• Stroke. The risk factors that lead to heart disease also can lead to an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke happens when the arteries to the brain are narrowed or blocked. Too little blood reaches the brain.
• Aneurysm. An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery. If an aneurysm bursts, you may have life-threatening internal bleeding.
• Peripheral artery disease. In this condition, the arms or legs usually the legs don't get enough blood. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking, called claudication. Atherosclerosis can lead to peripheral artery disease.
• Sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is the sudden loss of heart activity, breathing, and consciousness. It's usually due to a problem with the heart's electrical system. Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it results in sudden cardiac death.
Prevention
The same lifestyle changes used to manage heart disease also may help prevent it. Try these heart-healthy tips:
Don't smoke.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.
Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Conclusion
In conclusion, heart disease is a major health concern that can lead to serious complications such as heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and more. However, the good news is that heart disease can often be prevented or managed through lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, and getting enough sleep. By adopting these practices, individuals can improve their heart health and reduce their risk of developing heart disease.
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