The Mayo Clinic states that there are a number of conditions that contribute to heart disease. Some are more common than others, and some are more easily treated. Each has its own set of symptoms and method of treatment. The key to receiving proper treatment is to recognize these conditions.
Angina
The British Heart Foundation describes angina as a heaviness or tightness in your heart. In some cases it may present itself as pain that spreads to other areas of your body such as your arms, neck and jaw. Shortness of breath may also accompany this heaviness or pain, and the cause of this condition is usually coronary heart disease.
The symptoms of angina tend to occur after eating a meal, when you become emotionally upset, during cold weather and while you are physically active. Due to its cause--coronary heart disease--angina cannot be reversed; however, you can prevent it from becoming worse.
If you smoke, quit. Begin eating a healthier diet, one that is low in fat and high in fiber. Be sure your weight is within its normal range, and be sure to control both your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Along with these lifestyle changes, your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve the symptoms. In severe cases, heart bypass surgery may be required to allow for a greater flow of blood to your heart.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that causes it to become thickened and enlarged. While the exact cause is not known, it is a condition that appears to run in some families; however, it is not considered genetic because some family members may not be afflicted with it.
Three types of cardiomyopathy exist--dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive. Dilated is the most common, according to the Mayo Clinic, and results in the enlargement of the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of the heart. This weakens the heart, making it difficult for it to pump blood through the body efficiently.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy results in the abnormal growth or thickening of the heart muscle cells, which make the heart itself stiff. This shrinks the main pumping chamber, making it less forceful, thus blood is not pumped as easily through the heart as it should be.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy causes the heart muscle to become stiff and to lose its elasticity, making it incapable of expanding and filling with blood. It is the least common of the three types.
Valvular Problems
The human heart has four valves that help keep blood flowing in the right direction. While some people are born with valvular disorders, others develop them over time for different reasons. These include conditions such as rheumatic fever, damage done to the heart muscle after a hearty attack, cardiomyopathy and age.
Damaged valves can affect the heart in one of two ways, according to the British Heart Foundation. First, they can cause an obstruction of blood if they do not open completely; this is referred to as valve stenosis. Second, they can cause blood to leak backwards if they do not close as they should; this is referred to as a leaky valve or valve incompetence.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired or swelling of your ankles or feet due to a buildup of excess blood. This condition is typically treated with medication or surgery with the choice based solely on your particular condition.
