Heart disease is the number-one killer in the United States today and is responsible for more than 40 percent of all deaths, according to the Mayo Clinic. The phrase heart disease (cardiovascular disease) is used to describe a wide array of diseases that affect your heart. Narrowed or blocked blood vessels, irregular heart rhythms or deformed heart valves are the main diseases of the heart.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is when plaque accumulates within the arteries of the heart, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The American Heart Association states that plaque consists of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products and calcium. The buildup of this material is termed atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis becomes dangerous when the growth is so large that it reduces the amount of blood supply to the heart, resulting in a heart attack.
Atherosclerosis alone typically does not cause any signs or symptoms; however when it results in a heart attack, symptoms then become present. Heart attack symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat.
Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve disease occurs when the heart valves do not work appropriately, according to the American Heart Association. Approximately five million Americans are diagnosed with heart valve disorders each year. Valvular heart disease can be developed at birth or can develop over a lifetime, but the cause of development is still unknown.
There are two types of valve disease: valvular stenosis and valvular insuffiency. Valvular stenosis occurs when the heart valve narrows due to stiff leaflets. Stenosis of the valve causes the heart to work harder in order to get blood past the narrow valve. Valvular insufficiency (also known as valvular regurgitation) occurs when a valve is unable to fully close, causing blood to leak backwards. The heart has to work harder to make up for less blood being ejected to the body due to the leaky valve.
The symptoms associated with valvular heart disease include shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, chest discomfort, palpitations, edema of the extremities and rapid weight gain.
Congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is not pumping enough blood to the rest of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. The word congestive describes the fluid buildup within the lungs and body tissues. Heart failure ranges in severity and is based on the degree of damage to the heart. Excessive damage decreases the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently. The Mayo Clinic states that heart attacks are the main contributors to causing heart damage.
Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of congestive heart failure, according to the American Heart Association. Shortness of breath is caused from backed-up blood in the pulmonary veins (the veins that return blood back to the heart). The heart is then unable to eject the extra blood, which causes fluid to leak into the lungs. Shortness of breath can occur with activity, at rest or while asleep. Other symptoms include persistent cough, wheezing, fluid buildup in the extremities (edema), weight gain, fatigue or rapid heart rate.
