Heart disease is a general term that is used to describe conditions that affect your heart's ability to pump blood and oxygen through the body. Many kinds of heart disease can be prevented and controlled through healthy lifestyle choices. Education is also an important component. Learning about the different kinds of heart disease will help you make good choices and prevent serious illness.
Coronary Heart Disease
One of the most common types of heart disease is coronary artery disease. The Utah Department of Health states that this condition occurs when plaque builds up in your arteries, in a process called atherosclerosis. As plaque accumulates, your arteries become hard and narrow. This restricts the amount of blood that can travel through the body. While genetics may play a role, unhealthy lifestyle choices contribute to this condition. This includes eating a diet high in fat and cholesterol, being overweight, smoking and not getting enough exercise.
Heart Attack
If coronary artery disease affects one of the blood vessels that supplies the heart, the heart may become starved for blood and oxygen. This can destroy cells within the heart and cause a heart attack. Heart attacks can be mild, cause severe disability or be fatal. If you survive your heart attack, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking steps to change your lifestyle because you are more prone to having another heart attack.
Heart Valve Disease
Your heart has four valves that keep your blood flowing in the right direction. After your heart muscle pumps blood through one chamber of the heart, the valves close so your blood can not regurgitate. You can be born with defective heart valves or they can occur later in life. Various diseases and infections can damage your valves. When the valves do not work properly your heart will not be able to maintain a normal rhythm. You may notice a fast, slow or erratic pulse.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
PAD is a condition where the blood vessels in your legs become blocked. Like coronary artery disease, this is usually the result of plaque buildup. It can cause pain and cramping in your legs that gets worse with activity. Pieces of plaque in your arteries can break off and lodge anywhere in the body. The same healthy lifestyle choices that you use to manage coronary artery disease will help to control PAD as well.
Heart Failure
According to the American Heart Association, heart failure does not mean that your heart stops beating. It means that your heart is no longer able to pump blood efficiently. Diseases can overwork your heart and cause the heart muscle to enlarge and then eventually weaken. While it is a chronic condition, with the right treatment plan you can still lead an active life. Heart failure can cause you to become easily fatigued and short of breath. You may also experience edema, which can lead to weight gain.
