Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for approximately 40% of all deaths, according to Mayo Clinic. It encompasses a broad group of diseases that affect the normal functioning of the heart. The chambers, valves, muscles and blood vessels of the heart can all be damaged due to heart disease; however, regardless of the structure affected, it ultimately leads to the impaired ability of the heart to pump blood throughout the body.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD), also called coronary heart disease (CHD), is the most common type of heart disease and is the leading cause of death in the United States. It is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed due to the build-up of fatty deposits (plaque) on the inner walls. Narrowed arteries reduce or block blood flow to the heart resulting in a diminished supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. This results in angina (chest pain and discomfort) or a heart attack due to tissue death.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart in unable to pump enough blood to meet the demands of the body. Blood pumped from the heart to the rest of the body is reduced and returning blood gets backed up, causing congestion. Symptoms generally include the limited ability to perform physical activity, swelling and fatigue. Several conditions can lead to CHF such as CAD, heart fibrosis, high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease or heart infections. CHF affects approximately five million Americans and causes 250,000 deaths per year, according to the Heart Failure Society of America.
Cardiac Arrhythmia
The heart has a natural pacemaker that precisely controls the timing of heart beats. Malfunctions or disruptions in this process result in arrhythmia, or a heart that beats too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. It is not unusual to have occasional arrhythmia, but some are dangerous and life threatening. Any heart problem such as reduced blood flow, damage, or injury can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Lifestyle choices and disease also can lead to arrhythmia, such as smoking, diabetes, drug abuse, stress and medications. Approximately 780,000 individuals seek medical attention each year for cardiac arrhythmia, according to the American Heart Association.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle (myocardium), leading to an enlarged and weakened heart. Dilated, restrictive and hypertrophic are the three main types of cardiomyopathy each with specific symptoms and structural changes to the heart. The two most common causes of cardiomyopathy are heart valve disease and CAD, while other causes include chronic hypertension, alcohol and drug abuse, viral infections, chemotherapy drugs and nutritional deficiencies. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 26,000 individuals die from cardiomyopathy each year; it is a major cause of heart failure.
Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve disease occurs when the valves of the heart no longer function properly. The heart has four valves that maintain one-way blood flow through the heart as it pumps blood to the body. The valves can fail to close properly (regurgitation), become stiff and thickened (stenosis) or narrowed or closed off (atresia). All of these conditions can lead to heart murmurs, chest pain, blood blots, arrhythmias or heart failure. Approximately five million Americans are diagnosed with heart valve disease each year, according to the American Heart Association.
