Diseases of the Heart

Each year, more American men and women will die from heart disease than from any other medical illness. In fact, heart disease accounts for one out of every four disease-related deaths that occur annually. There are five main diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system. Identifying the signs of different heart diseases will lead to an early diagnosis, proper treatment, and can potentially save a life.

Definition

• The term heart disease is a broad medical term that encompasses a range of maladies affecting the heart. The heart is one of the most vital organs within the body. It is responsible for pumping and circulating blood throughout the body. When the heart and its components become diseased, the function of the cardiovascular system becomes compromised.


• Heart disease can affect men, women, adolescents, and children and people of all races. Left untreated, serious or even fatal complications can occur.



Cardiovascular Disease

• Cardiovascular disease is the direct result of the buildup of fatty plaque within the walls of the arteries. This event, called atherosclerosis, causes the arteries to narrow and reduces the blood flow to the heart and other vital organs.


• Symptoms of cardiovascular disease are chest pain, shortness of breath, pain or numbness in the legs or arms, and in severe cases, heart attack or stroke.


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  Treatment for this condition consists of lifestyle alterations, healthy diet, exercise regimen, weight management and quitting smoking. A doctor may prescribe medications if lifestyle changes are not enough. Some cases of cardiovascular disease are treated with medical procedures. Coronary angioplasty uses a catheter and balloon to reopen blocked arteries. A stent will keep the artery open in areas of weakness. In the most severe cases, a coronary artery bypass surgery is needed.

  
  

 Heart Arrhythmia

• An abnormal heartbeat is called heart arrhythmia. The heart can beat too slowly, called bradycardia, too quickly, called tachycardia, or in an irregular pattern. The common causes of this heart disease are congenital heart disease, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, stress, valvular heart disease and drug abuse.


• A person with heart arrhythmia can experience fluttering feelings in the chest, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting.


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  Heart arrhythmias can be treated with medications, medical procedures that deliver an electrical shock to the heart--called cardioversion--and ablation. An implanted pacemaker is another option. Severe heart arrhythmias require invasive, open-heart surgery to correct the underlying cause.

  
  

Cardiomyopathy

• Cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle begins to thicken or enlarge and become stiff. There are three types of cardiomyopathy.


• Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs when the left ventricle becomes enlarged and the heart pumps less forcefully.


• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs when the primary, pumping chamber of the heart grows abnormally, shrinking the size of the chamber.


• Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least common form of cardiomyopathy and results in a stiff heart muscle that cannot effectively expand and fill with blood.


• The symptoms of cardiomyopathy may go unnoticed until the disease has advanced. Common symptoms are breathlessness with activity or at rest; swelling in the feet, legs, and ankles; fluid accumulation in the abdomen; fatigue; irregular heart rate; dizziness and fainting.


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  Depending of the severity and type of cardiomyopathy, treatment may include medications, implanting a pacemaker, or in the most severe cases, a heart transplant.

  
  

Valvular Heart Disease

• Valvular heart disease affects any of the four valves of the heart: the mitral, aortic, pulmonary, or tricuspid. A number of medical conditions can cause damage to the valve, which results in narrowing, leaking or improper closing of the valve.


• The symptoms of valvular heart disease are shortness of breath, fatigue, heart murmur or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, swelling in the feet or ankles, and fainting.


• Treatment options for valvular heart disease depend on the severity. Mild cases can be managed with medications. A balloon valvuloplasty is performed if the valve has narrowed. In complex cases, surgery to repair or replace the valve is required.

Congenital Heart Defects

• Congenital heart defects develop in utero and can be caused by genetics and medical conditions. Severe congenital heart defects can be detected in the womb by ultrasound images. Less serious cases often go undetected until later in childhood or even into adulthood.


• The signs and symptoms of a heart defect include a pale blue or gray skin tone, swelling around the eyes, abdomen, or legs, shortness of breath and poor weight gain. Someone with a mild heart defect may tire easily during activity, experience shortness of breath, swelling of the extremities and fluid accumulation around the heart or lungs.


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  The nature and severity of the defect will determine treatment options. Mild heart defects can be treated with medications. New technology has developed noninvasive, catheterization procedures to treat congenital heart defects. Major defects require open-heart surgery or even a heart transplant.

  
  

Considerations

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  Most forms of heart disease can be prevented or managed with a commitment to healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices. Early detection through routine health care exams is the key step towards a proper diagnosis and successful treatment plan.