Everything you need to know about heart disease

 Heart disease refers to any condition affecting the heart. There are many types, some of which are preventable.

Unlike cardiovascular disease, which includes problems with the entire circulatory system, heart disease affects only the heart.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Around 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. occur due to heart disease, and it affects all genders as well as all racial and ethnic groups.

In this article, learn more about the types, causes, and symptoms of heart disease.

Types

There are several different types of heart disease, and they affect the heart in different ways.

The sections below will look at some different types of heart disease in more detail.

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease, also known as coronary heart disease, is the most common type of heart disease.

It develops when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become clogged with plaque. This causes them to harden and narrow. Plaque contains cholesterol and other substances.

As a result, the blood supply reduces, and the heart receives less oxygen and fewer nutrients. In time, the heart muscle weakens, and there is a risk of heart failure and arrhythmias.

When plaque builds up in the arteries, this is called atherosclerosis.

Congenital heart defects

A person with a congenital heart defect is born with a heart problem. There are many types of congenital heart defect, including:

• Abnormal heart valves: Valves may not open properly or may leak blood.
• Septal defects: There is a hole in the wall between either the lower chambers or the upper chambers of the heart.
• Atresia: One of the heart valves is missing.

Congenital heart disease can involve major structural issues, such as the absence of a ventricle and problems with the main arteries that leave the heart.

Many congenital heart problems do not cause any noticeable symptoms and only become apparent during a routine medical check.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart murmurs often affect children, but only some are due to a defect.

Source: Medical News Today