What Are Some Common Diseases of the Heart?

Heart disease is a life-threatening disorder and is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While some forms of heart disease are inherited, many types can be prevented or reduced in severity by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by the accumulation of plaque in the arteries of the heart. As plaque builds up, it causes the arteries to narrow and harden, reducing blood flow through the heart and causing chest pain and heart attacks. The disease may also weaken the heart and cause arrhythmias, potentially deadly heart rhythm disorders. CAD is the most common heart disorder in the United States, according to the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute. Although the disease can run in families, it occurs more often as the result of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, high insulin levels from uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, stress, lack of exercise and obesity. Several medications are available to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improve blood flow and slow the heart rate. In more severe cases, mesh tubes called stents may be placed in arteries to prop them open or coronary artery bypass surgery may be performed. During this surgery, a blood vessel from another part of the body is grafted into the heart, allowing blood to bypass the blocked section of the artery.

Heart Attack

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is probably the most well-known type of heart problem. During a heart attack, the blood flow to the heart is blocked or severely reduced, often due to CAD. When this happens, cells in the heart die due to lack of oxygen. If treatment is not performed to restore blood flow, more damage will be done to the heart and death may occur. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain or pressure, pain in the left arm, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, sweating and lightheadedness. If you have a heart attack, you may not experience pain in the chest or arm, but may instead notice pain the jaw, neck, teeth, shoulder or stomach. Reaching a hospital as quickly as possible is important if you experience any of these symptoms.

Cardiomypathy

Cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle weakens or thickens, causing difficulty in pumping blood. While the cause of cardiomyopathy is often unknown, it can occur due to viruses, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart valve damage, continual rapid heart rate, nutritional deficiencies, alcohol abuse, damage from a prior heart attack, cocaine use or chemotherapy. Treatment depends on the type of cardiomyopathy you have and may include medication to improve heart function and pumping capability. A pacemaker, an implantable device that controls heart rhythm may be needed in some case. If your heart muscle has become thick, your doctor may recommend alcohol ablation, a non-surgical procedure that works by using injected alcohol to destroy excess heart muscle and improve blood flow. If none of these treatment options works, a heart transplant may be necessary.

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body's organs. CHF can occur due to damage done by prior heart attacks, heart valve disease, CAD, heart defects, cardiomyopathy or infection of the heart valves or muscle. Despite being labeled as a form of heart failure, the heart continues to work, but not at optimum levels. If you have CHF, you may notice that you are tired and short of breath if you exercise or exert yourself. Swelling in the ankles and legs can occur due to congestion in the tissues. Medications used to treat CHF work by expanding blood vessels, improving heart function and eliminating extra water and salt in the body. Eating a healthy diet, getting sufficient rest and limiting strenuous activities can also help if you have CHF.

Arrhythmias

An arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats too slowly, too quickly or irregularly. The condition is caused by disruption of the heart's electrical impulses. Risk factors for developing an arrhythmia include CAD, chronic high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, alcohol or drug abuse, smoking, excessive caffeine use or stress. Symptoms of a slow heart rate include lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling tired or fainting, due to insufficient blood flow to the brain. Symptoms of an increased heart rate include rapid heart beat, chest pain, palpitations, fainting, dizziness or lightheadedness. In ventricular fibrillation, the most serious form of arrhythmia, the heart begins quivering and can't pump blood, resulting in death if medical assistance can't be provided in time. Medication, an implanted pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a device that can detect dangerously abnormal heart rhythms and correct them by shocking the heart, may be needed.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Heart Blood and Lung Institute
• American Heart Association

Resources

• Mayo Clinic