The heart is a critical part of the cardiovascular system. It is needed to pump blood to the lungs, where it becomes filled with oxygen, as well as pump oxygenated blood throughout the rest of the body. Heart disease, often known as cardiac disease, can take many forms and in some cases is life-threatening.
Congenital Disease
Congenital defects describe heart problems that are present at birth. These types of heart problems can affect the valves that control the direction of blood flow in the heart, the walls inside the heart or the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute explains. Approximately 1 million adults in the United States have heart defects. Heart defects can be very serious and require special medical care immediately after birth or they can be minor and never cause any health problems. Congenital heart defects are the most common form of birth defect in the United States.
Acquired
Many forms of heart disease develop over time, the Mayo Clinic notes. Patients can develop a form of heart disease called cardiomyopathy, in which the muscle in the heart thickens and becomes stiff, causing it to pump less effectively. Coronary artery disease, which is the result of cholesterol narrowing the arteries that give blood to the heart, can cause portions of the heart to become damaged. The heart can also become infected, leading to the heart not being able to pump well. The valves of the heart can also become damaged over time.
Symptoms
Although the exact symptoms of heart disease vary depending on the type of disease, in most cases patients with heart trouble will experience shortness of breath. This is because the main function of the heart is to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body. When oxygen does not reach the rest of the body, the brain will signal for an increased rate of breathing to attempt to compensate. Patients may also develop swelling, particularly in their legs and feet. This is due to blood accumulating in those areas because of poor circulation.
Diagnosis
There are a number of ways in which heart disease can be diagnosed. One of the most common methods is an ECG or EKG, which measures the electrical activity generated when the heart beats. A chest X-ray and echocardiogram can also be used to visualize the heart, the Mayo Clinic explains. Cardiac catheterization involves inserting a small catheter into a vein in the legs and then threading it up to the heart in order to measure the pressure in different portions of the heart and to test circulation. This catheter can also be used to obtain a biopsy of the heart.
Treatment
Depending on the type of heart disease there are a number of treatments. Often, the American Heart Association explains, patients will take medications called anti-coagulants. These drugs work to prevent blood clotting, which can help prevent a heart attack or other forms of cardiovascular disease. Some structural problems, such as birth defects or failing valves, can be repaired surgically. Abnormal heart rhythms can be treated using an implanted pacemaker. Medications can also be prescribed to help regulate the heartbeat.
