Heart disease is a term covering any disorder of the heart. Diseases under the heart disease umbrella include blood vessel diseases, such as coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias); and heart defects a person is born with (congenital heart defects), among others.
Unlike cardiovascular disease, which describes problems with the blood vessels and circulatory system as well as the heart, heart disease refers to issues and deformities in the heart itself.
Symptoms
Heart disease symptoms depend on what type of heart disease a patient has.
Symptoms of Heart Disease in the Blood Vessels (Atherosclerotic Disease)
Cardiovascular disease symptoms may be different for men and women. For instance, men are more likely to have chest pain; women are more likely to have other symptoms along with chest discomfort, such as shortness of breath, nausea and extreme fatigue.
Symptoms include;
- Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina)
- Shortness of breath
- Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts of the body are narrowed
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back
Heart Disease Symptoms Caused by Abnormal Heartbeats (Heart Arrhythmias)
A heart arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat. The heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. Heart arrhythmia symptoms can include;
- Fluttering in the chest
- Racing heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Fainting (syncope) or near fainting
Heart Disease Symptoms Caused by Heart Defects
Serious congenital heart defects — defects a patient is born with — usually become evident soon after birth. Heart defect symptoms in children could include;
- Pale gray or blue skin color (cyanosis)
- Swelling in the legs, abdomen or areas around the eyes
- In an infant, shortness of breath during feedings, leading to poor weight gain
Heart Disease Symptoms Caused by Weak Heart Muscle (Dilated Cardiomyopathy)
In early stages of cardiomyopathy, the patient may have no symptoms. As the condition worsens, symptoms may include;
- Breathlessness with exertion or at rest
- Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pouring or fluttering
- Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting
Heart Disease Symptoms Caused by Heart Infections
Endocarditis is an infection that affects the inner membrane that separates the chambers and valves of the heart (endocardium). Heart infection symptoms can include;
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or fatigue
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen
- Changes in the heart rhythm
- Dry or persistent cough
- Skin rashes or unusual spots
Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By Valvular Heart Disease
The heart has four valves — the aortic, mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid valves — that open and close to direct blood flow through the heart. Valves may be damaged by a variety of conditions leading to narrowing (stenosis), leaking (regurgitation or insufficiency) or improper closing (prolapse).
Depending on which valve isn’t working properly, valvular heart disease symptoms generally include;
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Swollen feet or ankles
- Chest pain
- Fainting (syncope)
Causes
Heart disease is caused by damage to all or part of the heart, damage to the coronary arteries, or a poor supply of nutrients and oxygen to the organ. Some types of heart, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, are genetic. These, alongside congenital heart defects, can occur before a person is born.
There are a number of lifestyle choices that can increase the risk of heart disease. These include;
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Smoking
- Overweight and obesity
- Diabetes
- Family history
- A diet of junk food
- Age
- A history of preeclampsia during pregnancy
- Staying in a stationary position for extended periods of time, such as sitting at work
Treatment
There are two main lines of treatment for heart disease. Initially, a person can attempt to treat the heart condition using medications. If these do not have the desired effect, surgical options are available to help correct the issue.
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