Heart Disease – What is it?

Heart disease is a very broad term covering a number of different types of heart conditions or diseases.  It can affect the heart or its circulatory system.   It is also the leading cause of death in Canada, the U.S., and England.  In the article, we will discuss different types of heart disease.  Although some forms of heart disease fall into more than one category listed below, I have tried to separate them into a few, easy-to-understand categories. 

• Coronary Artery Disease – is one type of heart disease.  In this category, angina (chest pain) and heart attacks (myocardial infarctions) are included.  Coronary artery disease involves a narrowing of the coronary arteries, which are the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. Just like other parts of your body require oxygen-rich blood, so does your heart.  These coronary arteries are found on the surface of the heart.  Blood should flow easily through the blood vessels without obstruction.  However, when plaque builds up inside the arteries, it causes the arteries to narrow or be completely blocked off.  This narrowing can happen in any of your arteries, but it is called coronary artery disease when the plaque is found in your coronary (heart) arteries.
• Cardiomyopathy – is another form of heart disease.  It is a disease of the “myocardium,” which is the middle layer of the heart’s walls, and is composed of muscle.  So, it’s easiest just to remember that it is a disease of the heart muscle.  There are different types of cardiomyopathy.  The heart muscle, for example, can become diseased due to alcoholism.  As well, if the left ventricle of the heart is enlarged, you may hear the term, “congestive heart failure” used.  Sometimes, the heart muscle if already damaged at birth due to genetic factors.  In others, the heart muscle can be damaged by parasites.  As well,  high blood pressure that goes untreated or is not well-controlled canalso result in damage to the heart muscle.
• Heart Failure – is when the heart stops beating.  The heart is unable to continue to pump blood throughout the body.  This can occur due to problems with the right or left ventricles of the heart.  Depending which side of the heart is affected, will result in the symptoms that you have.
• Heart Disease that Involves the Valves of the Heart – Remember that there are valves that only open one way, and allow blood to flow one way. If these valves are not working properly, then you end up with problems in your heart.
• Inflammation of the Heart – Different parts of the heart can be affected.  Often, this type of heart disease is related to infections by bacteria, fungus, viruses, or protozoa.  Inflammation of the heart can also occur due to rheumatic fever or diphtheria as well.

As you can see, heart disease is a very broad term that covers any abnormal condition of the heart.  See further posts for more specifics on different types of heart disease.