Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and refers to several conditions that affect your heart.
The four common types of heart disease are:
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Arrhythmia
- Heart Valve Disease
- Heart Failure
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease, also known as CAD or coronary heart disease, is the most common type of heart disease. It’s estimated to affect nearly 16.8 million people and is responsible for 1 in every 5 deaths in the developed world.
CAD is caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque and other substances in the artery walls. The buildup makes it difficult for the coronary arteries to supply the heart with enough oxygen, blood, and nutrients. For some people, the first sign of CAD is a heart attack.
What are the coronary arteries?
Your heart is a powerful muscle that moves approximately 3,000 gallons of blood through your body every day. Your coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart to keep it pumping.
The four arteries are:
- The right coronary artery
- The left coronary artery
- The left anterior descending artery
- The left circumflex artery
Reduced blood flow to your heart occurs when one or more of these arteries is partially or completely blocked.
What are the symptoms of CAD?
Some of the most common symptoms of CAD include:
- Chest discomfort (angina), which can feel like heaviness, pressure, tightness, burning, or a dull ache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms of CAD in women may vary. Some common symptoms of CAD in women include:
- Nausea
- Back pain
- Vomiting
- Cold sweat
- Feeling of indigestion
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is an irregular or abnormal heartbeat. During arrhythmia, the heart may beat too fast, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm. 5% of the U.S population is currently living with arrhythmia. Arrhythmias are common and typically harmless, but untreated arrhythmias can be life-threatening if they interfere with blood flow.
Arrhythmias are caused by changes to the heart tissue. Often, arrhythmias can suddenly occur as a result of a trigger. Stress, medicine, imbalances in the blood, or problems with electrical signals to the heart can cause arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias can also be caused by genetic factors. Sometimes, the cause behind arrhythmias is unknown.
What are the different types of arrhythmias?
- Tachycardia: very fast heart rate
- Bradycardia: slow heart rate
- Premature contraction: heart beating too early
- Conduction disorders: heart not beating normally
- Atrial Fibrillation: upper heart chambers contract irregularly
- Ventricular Fibrillation: disorganized contraction of the lower chambers of the heart
What are the symptoms of arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia is a type of heart disease that usually does not have any symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, the most common symptoms of arrhythmia include:
- Feeling like your heart skipped a beat
- Rapid heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Sweating
Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of your heart valves is not functioning well. If left untreated, heart valve disease can reduce the quality of life and become life-threatening.
The four valves of the heart are: the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves. The valves consist of small flaps of tissue that open and close with each heartbeat. These valves make sure your blood flows in only one direction through your heart.
Heart valve disease can be caused by a variety of reasons, including: birth defects, age-related changes, rheumatic fever, infection, or other conditions. These reasons can cause the valves to not open fully, or to allow blood to leak back into the heart’s chambers.
What are the symptoms of heart valve disease?
When the heart valves fail, the heart begins to overcompensate for the reduced blood flow. Some of the common symptoms of heart valve disease include:
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- Unusual heartbeat sound (heart murmur)
- Fatigue
- Swelling in your ankles, feet, or abdomen
Heart Failure
The last common type of heart disease is heart failure. Heart failure, or congestive heart failure, is a long-term condition in which your heart can’t pump enough blood for your body’s needs. It’s estimated that 6.2 million people in the United States suffer from heart failure. Heart failure is a serious condition that requires medical attention immediately.
Heart failure can affect the right or left side of the heart or both at the same time. Heart failure can develop suddenly (acute), or over time as your heart gets weaker (chronic). Currently, heart failure is a serious condition that has no cure.
What are the risk factors for developing heart failure?
Common risk factors of heart failure include:
- Sex and age – people 65 years of age and older have a higher risk of developing heart failure due to the weakening of their heart. Men are more likely than women to have heart failure.
- Genetics
- Diabetes
- High blood cholesterol
- Smoking
- Other types of heart disease – CAD, heart valve disease, arrhythmias, and more
What are the symptoms of heart failure?
- Shortness of breath after routine activities (walking up the stairs, getting dressed, walking across the room, lying flat)
- Cough
- Trouble breathing
- Bloating or feeling full all the time
- Increased urination at night
- Bluish color of fingers or lips
- Weight gain
How Can I Prevent Heart Disease?
There are many things you can do to reduce your likelihood of developing heart disease.
Choosing a healthy eating plan, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking are three ways in which you can prevent heart disease. You can also prevent heart disease by taming your stress, monitoring your blood pressure, and keeping your cholesterol levels under control.
Remember, if you experience any symptoms of heart disease, it’s best to reach out to your doctor right away. Your doctor can put you on a treatment plan, prescribe medication, and regularly monitor your heart health with you.
Your Health Lab has over 3,500 diagnostic tests available to help you stay on top of your heart health. Talk to your doctor to find out which test may be right for you.