What is heart disease?
Heart disease describes a range of conditions that can affect the heart. Common types of heart disease include coronary artery disease, heart failure and arrhythmias.
Your heart pumps blood throughout your body, delivering oxygen-rich blood to your muscles, tissues and organs through blood vessels called arteries.
Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease, is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. In this condition, fatty material called plaque builds up in the arteries. Plaque can narrow the arteries and inhibit the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
Heart disease can also impact other parts of the heart, such as the valves and other parts of the body, including the lungs, kidneys, and arteries in the lower leg or brain.
Fortunately, heart disease is preventable with a healthy lifestyle and regular screenings with your primary care provider.
Types of heart disease
Some types of heart disease are genetic; some you develop over time due to lifestyle factors, and others you are born with.
Types of heart disease include:
- Coronary artery disease, the narrowing of your heart’s blood vessels because of plaque deposits.
- Heart arrhythmias, a condition where you have an abnormal heart rhythm.
- Heart valve diseases, where the valves in your heart don’t open or close properly.
- Cardiomyopathy, when your heart doesn’t pump effectively.
- Heart failure, a long-term condition when the heart can’t pump blood around your body efficiently.
- Congenital heart issues, birth defects that you are born with.
- Conditions that impact your pericardium, which is the fluid-filled sac surrounding your heart.
What causes heart disease?
Many factors can cause heart disease. Some risk factors are within your control, and others may not be. Knowing your risk factors for heart disease is key to reducing the likelihood of developing a condition.
Causes of heart disease include:
- Age: The risk of heart disease increases with age
- Lifestyle choices, including:
- Chronic stress
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Lack of exercise and proper sleep
- Tobacco use in any form and substance abuse
- Medical conditions such as:
- Autoimmune conditions
- Elevated Lipoprotein (a)
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Genetics and family history: A family history of heart disease can increase your risk of a heart condition.
- Sex: Men generally have a higher risk of heart disease. But, following menopause, the risk for women increases.
Symptoms of heart disease
The symptoms of heart disease vary depending on the condition. Men and women may experience symptoms differently and you may not have any symptoms at all. This is why regular checkups with your doctor and preventative actions related to eating habits and physical activity are key to preventing heart disease.
Is heart disease genetic?
Heart disease can be genetic, which means if you have a family history of a heart condition, you may be at higher risk. However, healthy lifestyle choices like eating well, getting proper sleep, and physical activity can play a big role in your heart health, as can regular checkups and conversations with your doctor about prevention efforts.
Common symptoms of heart disease include:
- Chest pain or discomfort (known as angina)
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or feeling weak
- Irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations or a fluttering sensation in your chest
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain
- Pain, numbness or coldness in the legs or arms
- Shortness of breath, especially with exertion or when lying down
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet or abdomen
What are the complications of heart and vascular disease?
Heart disease can cause complications throughout your body, particularly if left untreated.
Complications of heart disease include:
- Cardiac arrest: A sudden loss of heart function can lead to a cardiac arrest.
- Heart attack: A blockage in the coronary arteries can cause a heart attack, leading to damage to the heart muscle.
- Heart failure: The heart's inability to pump blood effectively can result in heart failure.
- Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation, can be a complication of heart disease.
- Kidney damage: Reduced blood flow to the kidneys can cause kidney damage or kidney failure.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Reduced blood flow to the limbs can result in peripheral artery disease, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness, particularly in the legs.
- Pulmonary embolism: Blood clots originating from the heart can travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
- Stroke: Blocked arteries can also affect blood flow to the brain, leading to a stroke.
Can you reverse heart disease?
Heart disease cannot be reversed, but it can be managed through treatment, medication and lifestyle factors. Treatments aim to improve the health of your heart, and lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of any heart conditions worsening.
Diagnosing heart disease
Your provider may recommend diagnostic testing if you have risk factors for heart disease.
A cardiac calcium score is a CT scan-based imaging test that tells you how much calcified plaque has built up in your arteries and can give you an idea of whether you’re at risk for more serious conditions, such as a heart attack.
You might need additional tests if you have chest pain or other symptoms.
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Electrocardiogram
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram can determine whether damage to your heart has interfered with its electrical activity. It can also help doctors understand what’s causing symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeats. -
Echocardiogram
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound-based imaging test that helps providers view the structure of your heart. The images can tell doctors how well blood moves through your heart. -
Heart stress test
Heart stress test
A heart stress test can detect problems that may arise when you are active or after taking a medication that stresses the heart. -
Cardiac catheterization
Cardiac catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure providers use to measure blood flow and blood pressure inside the heart. During this procedure, heart blockages can be diagnosed and treated with angioplasty, where a balloon is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels.
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram can determine whether damage to your heart has interfered with its electrical activity. It can also help doctors understand what’s causing symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeats.Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound-based imaging test that helps providers view the structure of your heart. The images can tell doctors how well blood moves through your heart.Heart stress test
A heart stress test can detect problems that may arise when you are active or after taking a medication that stresses the heart.Cardiac catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure providers use to measure blood flow and blood pressure inside the heart. During this procedure, heart blockages can be diagnosed and treated with angioplasty, where a balloon is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels.Heart disease treatment and care options
With help from your primary care provider and an experienced heart and vascular team, you can not only lower your risk of heart disease but also effectively manage it to continue to live a full, active life.
Your care team will determine what care options, from medical treatments to lifestyle changes, may help you based on age, medical history, and type and stage of heart disease.
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Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes
Treatment for heart disease often starts with reducing your risk factors. That may mean:
- Changing your diet to one low in saturated fat, salt and sugar
- Exercising regularly
- Losing weight
- Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels with the help of your primary care provider
- Quitting tobacco use in any form
- Restful sleep
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Medications
Medications
If making lifestyle changes doesn't improve your heart disease, your provider may recommend medications to manage symptoms and prevent further complications. The medication you take will depend on the type of heart disease you are living with and other health factors. -
Surgery and procedures
Surgery and procedures
Your provider may recommend a procedure or surgery for your heart condition. The type of procedure or surgery will depend on several factors, including what type of heart disease you have, as well as your lifestyle and current health.
Lifestyle changes
Treatment for heart disease often starts with reducing your risk factors. That may mean:
- Changing your diet to one low in saturated fat, salt and sugar
- Exercising regularly
- Losing weight
- Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels with the help of your primary care provider
- Quitting tobacco use in any form
- Restful sleep
Medications
If making lifestyle changes doesn't improve your heart disease, your provider may recommend medications to manage symptoms and prevent further complications. The medication you take will depend on the type of heart disease you are living with and other health factors.Surgery and procedures
Your provider may recommend a procedure or surgery for your heart condition. The type of procedure or surgery will depend on several factors, including what type of heart disease you have, as well as your lifestyle and current health.Something went wrong.
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