Basics
Heart disease is a term that covers a variety of conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke and death. Conditions such as arrhythmia, obesity, clogged arteries, high blood pressure and congenital heart disease all can contribute to heart disease. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), coronary heart disease is the largest cause of death in the United States, with stroke coming in at a close third.
Arteriosclerosis
Researchers at the AHA blame the statistics on poor lifestyle habits. Smoking, diet and exercise are the three major lifestyle areas that contribute to heart disease. AHA researchers report that nearly 135,000 coronary heart disease deaths are caused by smoking each year. High cholesterol and high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are conditions that occur as a result of poor nutrition. Diets high in saturated fat, cholesterol and trans fats clog arteries and lead to heart disease in the form of a heart attack or stroke. Arteriosclerosis is build-up of plaque in the artery walls that reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that the blood carries from the heart, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. In addition to diet, lack of exercise also contributes to arteriosclerosis and heart disease. Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is the most common cause of heart disease.
Arrhythmia
Researchers at the AHA report that stress increases the chances of developing heart disease because of the pressure put on the heart. In addition to the physical reactions the body undergoes during times of stress, people who cannot control their stress levels are more likely to overeat, smoke and use drugs or alcohol. Irregular and abnormal heartbeats, also known as arrhythmia, can result from stress, substance abuse and birth defects. Alcoholism and drug abuse cause heart disease because drinking causes irregular heart rates in addition to raising blood pressure levels and producing high levels of triglycerides. Babies born with defects in their hearts are more likely to develop arrhythmia and experience congenital heart disease.
Infection
Infections can cause heart disease, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Bacteria that gets into the bloodstream can create a condition called endocarditis, which often results from poor dental hygiene. Bacteria can harm the heart from a tick and cause Lyme disease. Viruses, such as those contracted from the flu, mononucleosis and the measles, can damage the heart and cause heart disease. Parasites and toxic reactions to certain medications also are known to cause infections in the heart that lead to heart disease.
