Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Although it cannot be cured or reversed, many symptoms can be alleviated with medications, treatments, and lifestyle changes.
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Heart disease does not discriminate. It is the leading cause of death for several people, including whites, Hispanics, and blacks. Nearly half of the U.S. population is at risk for heart disease, and that number is growing.
Although it can be fatal, it is also preventable for most people. By adopting certain lifestyle habits early on, you may be able to live longer with a healthier heart.
Heart disease includes a wide range of cardiovascular problems. Several diseases and conditions are classified as heart diseases.
Types of heart disease include:
The term “cardiovascular disease” can also refer to heart conditions that specifically affect blood vessels.
Different types of heart disease can cause different symptoms.
arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is an abnormality of the heart rhythm. The symptoms you experience depend on the type of arrhythmia, such as your heart beating too fast or too slow.
Learn more about the symptoms of arrhythmia.
atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis reduces blood supply to the extremities. Symptoms of atherosclerosis include chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as fatigue and weakness in the legs due to poor circulation.
Learn more about the symptoms of atherosclerosis.
congenital heart defect
Congenital heart disease is a heart problem that develops during a developing fetus. Some heart defects are never diagnosed. Others may be detected when they cause symptoms.
Learn more about the symptoms of congenital heart disease.
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
CAD is plaque that builds up in the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and lungs.
Learn more about the symptoms of CAD here.
cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes larger, harder, thicker, or weaker.
Learn more about the symptoms of cardiomyopathy.
heart infection
Heart infections include conditions such as endocarditis and myocarditis.
Read more about the signs and symptoms of heart disease.
Women often experience different signs and symptoms of heart disease, especially CAD and other cardiovascular diseases, than men.
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Symptoms of heart disease in women can also be confused with other illnesses such as depression, menopause, and anxiety.
Learn more about common signs and symptoms of a heart attack in men and women.
Heart disease is a collection of diseases and conditions that cause cardiovascular problems. Each type of heart disease is caused by something completely unique to that disease.
Causes of arrhythmia
Causes of abnormal heart rhythm include:
Causes of congenital heart disease
This heart disease occurs while the baby is still growing in the womb. Some heart defects are serious and may be diagnosed and treated early. Some people remain undiagnosed for years.
The structure of the heart can also change with age. This can cause defects in the heart, leading to complications and problems.
Causes of cardiomyopathy
There are several types of cardiomyopathy. Each type is the result of a separate condition.
Causes vary widely, including other medical conditions, comorbidities, and genetics. Not all causes are fully understood.
Causes of heart infections
The most common causes of heart infections are bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Uncontrolled infections in the body can also have negative effects on the heart if not treated properly.
There are many risk factors for heart disease. Some things are controllable and some things are not.
According to the CDC:
For example, smoking is a controllable risk factor. Smokers are twice as likely to develop heart disease.
People with diabetes may also have an increased risk of heart disease because high blood sugar levels increase the chance of:
If you have diabetes, managing your blood sugar levels can reduce your chances of developing heart disease. People who have both high blood pressure and diabetes
Risk factors that are out of your control
Other risk factors for heart disease include:
- family history
- Ethnicity
- sex
- Year
Although these risk factors are not controllable, you may be able to monitor their effects.
A family history of CAD is of particular concern if:
- Male relatives under 55
- Female relative under 65 years old
Non-Hispanic blacks, non-Hispanic whites, and people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at higher risk than Alaska Natives and American Indians.
Men also have a higher risk of heart disease than women.by
Learn more about risk factors for CAD.
Your doctor may order several tests and evaluations to diagnose heart disease. Some of these tests can be done before symptoms of heart disease appear.
Other tests may be used to look for possible causes of symptoms if they occur.
Physical examination and blood tests
The first thing your doctor will do is a physical exam. They will consider the symptoms you are experiencing.
Next, they will want to know your family and personal medical history. Genetics may play a role in some heart diseases. If you have a close family member with heart disease, share this information with your doctor.
Blood tests are done frequently. This is because it helps your doctor check your cholesterol levels and look for signs of inflammation.
non-invasive testing
A variety of noninvasive tests can be used to diagnose heart disease, including:
invasive test
If a physical exam, blood tests, or noninvasive tests are inconclusive, your doctor may examine the inside of your body to determine the cause of your symptoms. Invasive tests may include:
Read more about the tests used to diagnose heart disease.
Treatment for heart disease varies greatly depending on the type and stage of the heart disease. For example, if you have a heart infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
If you have plaque buildup, your doctor may take two approaches. One is to prescribe medications that reduce the risk of further plaque buildup, and the other is to help you adopt certain lifestyle strategies.
Heart disease treatments fall into three main categories.
lifestyle strategy
Several lifestyle strategies can help protect your heart. These include:
medicine
Medications may be needed to treat certain types of heart disease. Your doctor can prescribe medications that can treat or manage your heart disease.
Your doctor may also prescribe medicines to slow or prevent the risk of complications. The exact medication prescribed depends on the type of heart disease. Examples include:
Read more about medicines that treat heart disease.
Surgery or invasive procedure
Heart disease may require surgery or other medical procedures to treat symptoms and prevent them from getting worse.
For example, if an artery is completely or nearly completely blocked by plaque buildup, your doctor may insert a stent into the artery to restore normal blood flow.
The treatment your doctor uses depends on the type of heart disease and the extent of damage to the heart.
Some risk factors for heart disease, such as family history, cannot be controlled. However, it is still important to lower your chances of developing heart disease by reducing risk factors that you can control.
Aim for healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in a healthy range are some of the first steps to maintaining a healthy heart. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
What is considered healthy blood pressure?
Systole is the measurement of pressure when the heart is contracting. Diastole is the measurement when the heart is at rest. Higher numbers indicate that the heart is working too hard to pump blood.
Your ideal cholesterol level depends on your risk factors and heart health history. If you are at high risk for heart disease, have diabetes, or have already had a heart attack, your target level will be lower than that of people at low or average risk.
Adopt heart-healthy lifestyle strategies
Practicing the same lifestyle strategies that help manage heart disease can also help reduce your chances of developing heart disease.
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Quitting smoking helps your heart health because the nicotine in cigarettes constricts your blood vessels, making it harder for oxygenated blood to circulate. This can lead to atherosclerosis.
Additionally, chronic stress can help reduce the chance of heart disease.
It may not be possible to make these changes all at once, and that’s okay. Talk to your doctor about what will affect you the most at this time. Even taking small steps towards these goals will help you stay healthy.
Learn how to reduce your chances of heart disease.
What is the relationship between heart disease and high blood pressure?
High blood pressure (hypertension) slows down the heart’s ability to circulate blood. This can cause the heart muscle to thicken and the arteries to narrow.
High blood pressure also makes the heart muscle thicker and less elastic, impairing its ability to pump blood. This reduces the circulation of oxygen-rich blood that the body needs.
Read more about hypertensive heart disease.
Is there a cure for heart disease?
Heart disease cannot be cured or reversed and requires lifelong treatment and monitoring. However, symptoms can be reduced with medications, treatments, and lifestyle strategies.
Coronary intervention or bypass surgery may be used if other methods are ineffective.
Is sinus bradycardia a sign of heart disease?
Sinus bradycardia is a condition in which the heart rate is abnormally slow. That in itself is not necessarily a cause for concern. In fact, it is often a marker of a healthy heart in athletes and young people. However, in some cases,
What is the best workout for a leaky heart valve?
If you have a leaky heart valve, walking regularly can be good exercise for your heart.
Following the same principle, you can also perform other aerobic exercises such as swimming or cycling.
Why are beta blockers used for heart disease?
Beta blockers slow the heart rate and reduce the strength of the heart rate. Blood pressure also decreases. They work by blocking the hormone adrenaline (epinephrine) from binding to beta receptors in the body.
Almost half of all people in the United States are likely to develop heart disease, and that number continues to grow.
However, many heart diseases can be prevented or managed by adopting heart-healthy lifestyle strategies.
In our busy, fast-paced lives, making these lifestyle changes isn’t always easy, but the benefits are huge. If you take care of yourself now, you are more likely to be taken care of later in life.
