The heart is one of the most important organs in the body; if it fails or is diseased, our quality of life can be dramatically altered. Four common cardiac diseases include heart failure, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias. Some of these diseases interconnect with others, which means if one is present, it can lead to another or it can worsen another condition.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to supply the body's needs. This is caused gradually from high blood pressure, narrowed coronary arteries, congenital heart defects or a virus in the heart. The heart muscle becomes stiff and weak, and blood backs up into the lungs and other organs. Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and feet, rapid heart beat, persistent cough and weight gain. Heart failure treatment often has good results. Medications improve the signs and symptoms. Lifestyle changes such as exercise and the reduction of dietary salt improve the quality of life. Prevention is key, but many conditions that lead to heart failure cannot be reversed.
Atherosclerosis
The American Heart Association describes atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries" as the process in which fatty deposits build up in the inner lining of an artery. This plaque can also be made up of cholesterol, cellular waste products and calcium. Plaques can form in any major artery; the most common are the coronary arteries. When plaques grow too large or rupture, a heart attack can result. Symptoms of coronary atherosclerosis include chest pain and shortness of breath. Medications that lower cholesterol are used to help treat atherosclerosis. If plaques progress, angioplasty or stents are used in the coronary arteries.
Cardiomyopathy
The National Institute of Health says that cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the heart muscle associated with ineffective pumping or function problems. Common types of cardiomyopathy include dilated, where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened; restrictive, where the heart becomes stiff and can't fill with blood properly; and hypertrophic, where the heart muscle becomes thick and the heart has to work harder to pump blood. Causes include high blood pressure, alcoholism and pregnancy, but often no specific cause can be identified. Treatment is focused on treating the associated heart failure. Because cardiomyopathy patients are at an increased risk of sudden death, implanted defibrillators are often used, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Arrhythmias
"An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of the heartbeat," the American Academy of Family Physicians says. The heart can either beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. Some arrhythmias have no symptoms, but a doctor should be notified about any of these symptoms: palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath or passing out. The most common causes of arrhythmias are coronary artery disease, abnormal heart valve function and heart failure. Some rhythm abnormalities are controlled with medications, while others require a pacemaker, electric shock or surgery.
Other Coronary Diseases
The University of Maryland Medical Center lists several other conditions that involve the heart, including aortic aneurysm, congenital heart disease, heart attack, heart murmur and valvular disease.
