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 RESEARCH WORK
DISEASES RELATED TO
HEART
There are many different heart conditions
and problems which are collectively called
heart disease. It’s always best to discuss
your heart
condition
with your
health
professional
or heart
specialist
who can
advise you
on the correct diagnosis and name of your
condition and treatment plan.
Heart disease and different conditions
affect the heart’s ability to work efficiently.
 CORONARY HEART DISEASES
Heart disease is a catch-all phrase for a
variety of conditions that affect the heart’s
structure and how it works. Coronary heart
disease is a
type of
heart
disease
where the
arteries of
the heart
cannot
deliver
enough
oxygen-rich blood to the heart. It is the
leading cause of death in the United States.
About 18.2 million American adults have
coronary artery disease, making it the most
common type of heart disease in the United
States, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
Coronary artery disease affects the larger
coronary arteries on the surface of the
heart. Another type of heart disease, called
coronary microvascular disease, affects the
tiny arteries in the heart muscle. Coronary
microvascular disease is more common in
women.
Causes
The cause of coronary heart disease
depends on the type. Coronary artery
disease is often caused by cholesterol, a
waxy substance that builds up inside the
lining of the coronary arteries forming
plaque. This buildup can partially or totally
block blood flow in the large arteries of the
heart. Coronary microvascular disease
happens when the heart’s tiny blood vessels
do not work normally. For most people,
coronary heart disease is preventable with a
heart-healthy lifestyle.
ANGINA
Angina is a type of chest pain caused by
reduced blood flow to the heart. Angina is a
symptom of coronary artery disease.
Angina is also called angina pectoris.
Angina pain is
often
described as
squeezing,
pressure,
heaviness,
tightness or pain in the chest. It may feel
like a heavy weight lying on the chest.
Angina may be a new pain that needs to be
checked by a health care provider, or
recurring pain that goes away with
treatment.
Although angina is relatively common, it can
still be hard to distinguish from other types
of chest pain, such as the discomfort of
indigestion.
Causes
Angina is caused by reduced blood flow to
the heart muscle. Blood carries oxygen,
which the heart muscle needs to survive.
When the heart muscle isn't getting enough
oxygen, it causes a condition called
ischemia.
The most common cause of reduced blood
flow to the heart muscle is coronary artery
disease (CAD). The heart (coronary) arteries
can become narrowed by fatty deposits
called plaques. This is called atherosclerosis.
If plaques in a blood vessel rupture or a
blood clot forms, it can quickly block or
reduce flow through a narrowed artery. This
can suddenly and severely decrease blood
flow to the heart muscle.
During times of low oxygen demand —
when resting, for example — the heart
muscle may still be able to work on the
reduced amount of blood flow without
triggering angina symptoms. But when the
demand for oxygen goes up, such as when
exercising, angina can result.
 HEART ATTACK
A heart attack occurs when the flow of
blood to the heart is severely reduced or
blocked. The blockage is usually due to a
buildup of fat, cholesterol and other
substances
in the heart
(coronary)
arteries. The
fatty,
cholesterol-
containing
deposits are
called
plaques. The process of plaque buildup is
called atherosclerosis.
Sometimes, a plaque can rupture and form
a clot that blocks blood flow. A lack of blood
 flow can damage or destroy part of the
heart muscle.
A heart attack is also called a myocardial
infarction.
Prompt treatment is needed for a heart
attack to prevent death.
Causes
Coronary artery disease causes most heart
attacks. In coronary artery disease, one or
more of the heart (coronary) arteries are
blocked. This is usually due to cholesterol-
containing deposits called plaques. Plaques
can narrow the arteries, reducing blood
flow to the heart.
If a plaque breaks open, it can cause a blood
clot in the heart.
A heart attack may be caused by a complete
or partial blockage of a heart (coronary)
artery. One way to classify heart attacks is
whether an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
shows some specific changes (ST elevation)
that require emergency invasive treatment.
Your health care provider may use ECG
results to describe these types of heart
attacks.
An acute complete blockage of a medium or
large heart artery usually means you've had
an ST elevation myocardial infarction
(STEMI).
A partial blockage often means you've had a
non-ST elevation myocardial infarction
(NSTEMI). However, some people with
NSTEMI have a total blockage.
Not all heart attacks are caused by blocked
arteries. Other causes include:
Coronary artery spasm. This is a severe
squeezing of a blood vessel that's not
blocked. The artery generally has
cholesterol plaques or there is early
hardening of the vessel due to smoking or
other risk factors. Other names for coronary
artery spasms are Prinzmetal's angina,
vasospastic angina or variant angina.
Certain infections. COVID-19 and other viral
infections may cause damage to the heart
muscle.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
(SCAD). This life-threatening condition is
caused by a tear inside a heart artery.
HEART FAILURE
Heart failure means that the heart is unable
to pump blood around the body properly. It
usually happens because the heart has
become too weak or stiff.
It's sometimes called congestive heart
failure, although this name is not widely
used now.
Heart failure does not mean your heart has
stopped working. It means it needs some
support to help it work better.
It can
occur at
any age, but is most common in older
people.
Heart failure is a long-term condition that
tends to get gradually worse over time.
It cannot usually be cured, but the
symptoms can often be controlled for many
years.
Causes
Heart failure means that the heart is unable
to pump blood around the body properly. It
usually happens because the heart has
become too weak or stiff.
It's sometimes called congestive heart
failure, although this name is not widely
used now.
ARRHYTHMIA
An arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, is a
problem with the rate or rhythm of your
heartbeat. Your heart may beat too quickly,
too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm.
It is normal for your heart rate to speed up
during physical activity and to slow down
while resting or sleeping. It is also normal to
feel as if your heart skips a beat
occasionally. But a frequent irregular
rhythm may mean that your heart is not
pumping enough blood to your body. You
may feel dizzy, faint, or have other
symptoms.
Arrhythmias
are treatable
with medicine
or procedures
to control the
irregular rhythms. If not treated,
arrhythmias can damage the heart, brain, or
other organs. This can lead to life-
threatening stroke, heart failure, or cardiac
arrest. During cardiac arrest, the heart
suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating,
causing death if it is not treated within
minutes.
If you have been diagnosed with an
arrhythmia, your doctor may talk to you
about healthy lifestyle changes you can
make. You may need to avoid activities that
may trigger your arrhythmia. These steps
may help prevent your arrhythmia from
getting worse.
Causes
Age
As we age, changes in our heart such as
scarring and the effects of other chronic
conditions can raise the risk of arrhythmias.
Older adults are also more likely to have
health conditions, such as high blood
pressure, heart failure, diabetes, and
thyroid disease that can lead to
arrhythmias. Arrhythmias caused by
congenital heart defects or inherited
conditions are more common in children
and young adults.
Family history and genetics
Arrhythmias can run in families. You may
have an increased risk of some types of
arrhythmias if a parent or other close
relative has an arrhythmia.
Lifestyle habits
Your risk of arrhythmias may be higher if
you:
 Smoke
 Use illegal drugs, such as cocaine or
amphetamines
 Drink alcohol more often and more than
is recommended (no more than 2 drinks
per day for men and 1 drink per day for
women)
Medicines
Sometimes, medicines your doctor
prescribes for other health conditions can
cause an arrhythmia. Talk to your doctor
about your risk of an arrhythmia if you are
taking medicine to treat high blood
pressure or for a mental health condition.
Certain antibiotics and over-the-counter
allergy and cold medicines can also raise the
risk of arrhythmias in some people.
Other health conditions
You may be more likely to have arrhythmias
if you have:
 Heart and blood vessel diseases, such as
cardiomyopathy, congenital heart
defects, heart attack, and heart
inflammation
 Kidney disease
 Lung diseases, such as chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
 Obesity
 Sleep apnea, which can stress your
heart by preventing it from getting
enough oxygen
 Too much or too little thyroid hormone
 Viral infections such as influenza (flu) or
COVID-19