The Mayo Clinic defines heart disease as a broad term used to describe a range of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. Heart disease can affect people of any age or race. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists heart disease as the leading cause of death worldwide and it accounts for 40 percent of deaths in the United States alone.
Heart Failure
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, occurs when the heart is not pumping enough blood to sustain the body. Heart failure occurs over time as conditions such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump properly. According to the Mayo Clinic, congestive heart failure cannot be reversed but can be managed effectively. Symptoms of CHF include shortness of breath upon exertion or lying flat, fatigue and weakness, swelling in the legs, feet and ankles, rapid or irregular heartbeat, persistent cough or wheezing, weight gain from fluid retention, lack of appetite, nausea and difficulty concentrating.
Heart Attack
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when a blood vessel blocks the flow of blood through a coronary artery, according to the Mayo Clinic. Interrupted blood flow can cause damage to the heart muscle. Symptoms of a heart attack can include pain moving from your arm to your chest, back, teeth or jaw. Heart attack victims often describe a pressure like an elephant sitting on their chest. Other symptoms include sweating, fainting or an impending sense of doom. In women, heart attack symptoms may present differently. Women may experience abdominal pain, heartburn, clammy skin, lightheadedness or dizziness, or unusual unexplained fatigue. Certain factors make people predisposed to heart attacks. The chance of a myocardial infarction can be lessened by not smoking, watching cholesterol, getting regular checkups and exercising regularly.
Coronary Artery Disease
The National Institute of Health defines coronary artery disease as a condition where the arteries of the heart are narrowed or blocked. This causes the occlusion of blood flow to the heart muscle. Over time, the blocked coronary arteries will lead to heart failure. The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina--chest pain. Treatment includes lifestyle changes to reduce plaque build up, medications and possible surgical interventions to widen narrowing arteries.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, means the pressure in the arteries is consistently above the normal range, according to the American Heart Association. Blood pressure is the pressure exerted against the vessel walls and is represented by two numbers. The top number represents pressure when the heart beats and is known as the systolic number. The bottom number represents the pressure when the heart is at rest and is known as the diastolic number. When blood pressure readings are consistently 140/90 or higher, a physician may start a program of treatment to lower blood pressure. The danger of high blood pressure is that there are often no symptoms.
