Heart disease is often used as a general term that refers to coronary artery disease and other heart conditions that cause narrowed or blocked arteries that can lead to heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Heart disease may also include infection or conditions that directly affect the heart muscle and valves, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Plaque Buildup
Coronary artery disease is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cholesterol deposits and other substances cause the buildup that leads to the arteries narrowing in a process called atherosclerosis. As a result, the heart does not get enough blood, which results in heart disease or heart attack if an artery is completely blocked, cutting off the blood supply. Sometimes a plaque deposit can break off and form a clot in the artery, also leading to a heart attack.
Angina
Angina also occurs from narrowing of the arteries and the heart not getting enough blood to supply blood to other parts of the body. Angina causes chest pain or discomfort. Some people describe it as a pressing or squeezing pain in the chest. Angina is not a heart attack, but people with angina are at risk of having a heart attack, according to Womenshealth.gov, the website for the National Women's Health Information Center.
Heart Failure
Heart failure happens when the heart is not able to pump enough blood. The heart does not stop, but other organs don't receive the amount of blood they normally get. This can cause shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and feet, and extreme fatigue, Womenshealth.gov explains. Abnormal heartbeats, or heart arrhythmias, occur when heart disease makes the heart beat too quickly, too slowly or in an irregular pattern, the Mayo Clinic explains. People with heart arrhythmias may feel a fluttering in the chest, a racing or slow heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a thickening or stiffening of the heart muscle. The cause of the disease is not fully known, but it may be related to viral infections. There may be no symptoms in the early stages of the disorder, but the chronic condition can worsen over time. Because the heart cannot work as hard as it is supposed to, symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling of the legs and feet, fatigue, irregular heartbeats and dizziness may occur.
Valve Malfunction
Heart disease may also affect the four valves in the heart. The aortic, mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid valves open and close to direct blood flow through the heart, according to the Mayo Clinic. Various conditions can damage the valves, causing them to open or close improperly. One or more valves may be affected, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat.
