List Of Heart Diseases

By: Dr.Christopher ... Click on author's name for more of their articles

Lists of Heart Disease

Heart Disease is characterized by any condition that affects the heart. The heart is a major organ composed of mainly muscle and blood vessels that pumps blood everywhere in the body. Because the heart is a vital organ heart disease is many times dangerous to the general health and well being of the affected individual. Heart disease has become a well established cause of death in most western countries and is considered the leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary heart disease is the most prevalent form of the disease and has been deduced to be responsible for up to 70% of deaths per year. Research that has been performed on diseases of the heart have uncovered that reducing bad cholesterol and lessening high blood pressure can greatly lessen the likelihood of developing heart disease. The types of heart disease are inclusive of: ischaemic heart disease, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory heart disease and heart failure. For most or all kinds of heart disease medical evaluation, emergency treatment and lifestyle alterations are important. Heart disease can be asymptomatic meaning a person can be affected with any of these conditions and not be aware. It is therefore important for people over the age of 40 to visit a doctor no less than once per year. Prompt diagnosis of any heart condition will normally improve the prognosis of the condition.

A brief overview of the types of heart disease

Ischaemic Heart Disease

Ischaemic Heart disease (IHD) or myocardial ischaemia is most likely prompted by coronary artery disease and results in a noticeable lowering of the blood supply to the heart muscle. It may present symptoms prefer angina pectoris (chest pain) and reduced ability to perform fairly strenuous exercises.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is described as the condition which gradually narrows the artery and blood vessels that supply the heart with blood and oxygen. This occurs because of an accumulation of plaque which is composed of calcium, fatty material and scar tissue in the vessels. When this happens the heart is not provided with enough blood to carry out regular functioning. A person afflicted by this disease will generally experience symptoms of angina pectoris or chest pain. If the blood flow becomes blocked by plaque this may lead to myocardial infarction (heart attack) or in more extreme cases cardiac arrest.

Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease relates to any disease that affects 1 or more valves of the heart. Valvular heart disease may manifest because of a congenital factor (being born with the condition) or it may develop over the course of a lifetime.

Hypertensive Heart Disease

Hypertensive heat disease is any heart disease that manifests as a result of hypertension or high blood pressure. It may often progress into the likely development of left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiac arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, hypertensive congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that is distinguished by marked deterioration of the myocardium (heart muscles) for multiple reasons. People who are afflicted with this condition are at a heightened risk of arrhythmia (which may trigger irregular heart beat and/or more seriously cardiac arrest) or sudden cardiac death.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is characteristic of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels (arteries or veins). It is often related to atherosclerosis (arterial disease) though the term evidently suggests any disease affecting the cardiovascular system. This type of disease is becoming more prevalent and is said to kill more people than cancer.

Inflammatory heart disease

Inflammatory heart disease occurs when the heart and surrounding tissues become inflamed. Conditions associated with this disease include: myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), Endocarditis (inflammation of the internal layers of the heart) and inflammatory cardiomegaly.

Heart Failure or Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure manifests when the the heart is cannot supply sufficient blood to satisfy the body's needs. It may evidence multiple symptoms including: reduced ability to perform physical activities, shortness of breath, or swollen ankles. It may be treated with surgical intervention, maintaining some lifestyle modifications and or with medication. It is a possibly fatal disease that has a high mortality rate.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: The editorial titled List Of Heart Diseases is written by Dr.Christopher. He is a well-known physician who is a expert in heart diseases.

Note: The content of this article solely conveys the opinion of its author, Dr.Christopher

Did You Like This Article? Share It With Your Friends!