About the Heart --> Heart Disease

What is heart disease?

Heart disease refers to different types of heart problems. These problems often need tests and treatment by your doctor. Some of the more common heart diseases include:

• Coronary heart disease: This is a disease of the heart's blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis. This is also known as "hardening of the arteries". The heart arteries become narrowed with plaque, a build-up of fat. These blockage restrict blood flow to the heart muscle. When your heart is deprived of blood and oxygen, angina (chest pain) or a heart attack may occur. See the next section on Heart Attack.
  

• Heart arrhythmias: These are problems with the "electrical" system of the heart. Symptoms of a heart arrhythmia include a fluttering feeling in the chest, weakness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or even fainting. These can occur because of aging, chemical changes in your body, or damage to your heart.
  

• Cardiomyopathy: This problem of the heart will cause the heart to enlarge and not pump strong enough.
  

• Congestive heart failure: This occurs when the heart is weakened and is not able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. When the heart is not able to pump well enough, the blood backs up in the body and you can have symptoms of congested lungs, swollen ankles and legs, and possibly problems thinking clearly.
  

• Cardiac valve disorders: This happens when something damages one or more of the valves of the heart. Some valve problems are due to birth defects while others may occur because of a heart attack, an infection, or aging.