The circulatory system, also called the cardiovascular system, is the system that includes the heart, the lungs and the blood vessels. Circulatory system diseases are common and affect approximately 64 million Americans, according to KidsHealth, a website published by the Nemours Foundation. Circulatory system diseases are categorized as either congenital, which means present at birth, or acquired, which means developed after birth.
Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects are characterized by abnormal or incomplete development of the heart structure during fetal growth. The defects can be located in the heart valves, heart walls or arteries and veins surrounding the heart, according to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health. Congenital heart defects can impair blood flow in a number of ways: slowing down blood flow, blocking blood flow or reversing blood flow. Congenital heart defects are usually detected by the presence of a heart murmur, which is an abnormal heart sound.
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are problems in the rhythm of the heartbeat that are due to a change in normal cardiac electrical impulses, according to the American Heart Association. Arrhythmias can be congenital or acquired and there are several different types: decreased heartbeat, increased heartbeat, quivering heartbeat or premature heartbeat. Arrhythmias impede proper blood flow and can result in organ damage or failure.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a chronic heart disease that causes the heart muscles to weaken. Weakened heart muscle makes it more difficult for the heart to provide a sufficient amount of force to pump blood properly. If the blood is not pumped properly, it cannot circulate through the entire body. Cardiomyopathy is an acquired disease that is most often caused by coronary artery disease and can lead to heart failure, according to MayoClinic.com.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is an acquired condition in which plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, the arteries that supply the heart with blood. The accumulation of plaque in the arteries is called atherosclerosis. The plaque causes the opening of the arteries to narrow, which results in a decreased blood flow to the heart and an increased risk of blood clot formation, which can lead to heart attack, according to The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki disease is an acquired disease that affects the breathing passages, skin and lymph nodes and causes inflammation of the blood vessels and heart. The chronic inflammation results in a weakening of the blood vessels and heart muscle which can result in aneurysms or heart attack. Kawasaki disease can also cause inflammation of the heart valves and lining which can lead to arrhythmias, according to KidsHealth.
