Heart Disease: Essential Facts and Insights You Should Know!

06/20/2024

How many Types of Heart Disease are there?

Heart disease represents a wide range of cardiovascular problems. Heart disease consists of many conditions and diseases. The following conditions come under the heart disease:

• Arrhythmia

• Atherosclerosis

• Cardiomyopathy

• Heart infections

• Congenital heart defects

• Coronary artery disease

The term "cardiovascular disease" also refers to conditions that only affect blood vessels.

What are the risk Factors for Heart Disease in Men and Women?

There are a plethora of risk factors that can trigger heart disease in men and women. Some risk factors for heart disease are manageable, while others are not. A study by the CDC reveals that around 47% of people living in the United States are under some of the risk factors that can lead to serious heart disease. The following are the risk factors for heart disease:

• High blood pressure

• Smoking

• Low physical activity

• Sedentary lifestyle

• High cholesterol

• Obesity 

Out of all the above-listed risk factors for heart disease, some risk factors are manageable. For instance, if you are a heavy smoker, you can work on it by the daily limit, resulting in decreased risk of developing heart disease. Besides, suppose you live a sedentary lifestyle or are obese. In that case, you can mitigate the risk of coming across heart disease by hitting the gym and including physical activities such as running, swimming, jogging, etc. 

People living with diabetes also possess a higher risk of developing heart conditions. Diabetes can contribute to high blood glucose levels, which, as a result, elevate your chances of coming across several conditions.  

Some risk factors, such as family history, sex, ethnicity, age, etc, can’t be controlled. As mentioned, these are non-manageable factors, but keeping a check on their effects can curb the possibility.

Having a family history of CAD is a warning sign, especially if there is:

• A male relative below 55 years of age

• A female relative below the age of 65 years

People who belong to the following populations: non-Hispanic white people, people of Asian or pacific islander heritage, and non-Hispanic black people pose a higher risk of developing heart disease than native Alaskan or Native American people.

On a gender basis, men are more likely to develop heart disease than women. As per the CDC, the dominance of heart disease is higher in men than women in the United States of America. 

What are the Signs of Heart Disease in Women?

The symptoms of heart disease vary in men and women. Yes, you heard it right. Women usually experience different symptoms of heart disease than men. A study conducted in 2016 revealed the symptoms often seen in women who suffered from a heart attack. The "traditional" heart attack symptoms, such as tingling and chest discomfort, were not among the most common ones. Women who had a heart attack had symptoms such as indigestion, fatigue, and anxiety.

Symptoms brought on by other conditions, such as depression, menopause, and anxiety, can replicate the symptoms of heart disease, which leads to confusion.

What Factors Can Trigger Heart Disease? 

Heart disease encompasses conditions and diseases that lead to cardiovascular problems. Each form of heart disease has different causes: 

Heart Infection Causes:

Most of the heart infections are caused by parasites, viruses, and bacteria. Untreated and uncontrolled infections in the body can also cause damage to the heart. Therefore, please check with your healthcare provider if you are under an illness that poses the risk of harming the heart.

Arrhythmia Causes:

The common causes of arrhythmia are the following: diabetes, CAD, heart defect, hypertension, and certain medications.

Congenital Heart Defect Causes:

In most cases, this heart disease takes place when the baby is developing in the uterus. Some heart defects may be diagnosed early and treated well, while others may go untreated and undiagnosed for years. As you age, your heart structure may change, which, as a result, can create heart defects. Later on, this heart defect can lead to serious problems and complications.

Cardiomyopathy Causes:

Cardiomyopathy has many types, and each type has different causes. The following are the types of cardiomyopathy:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Restrictive cardiomyopathy

• Dilated cardiomyopathy

Causes of cardiomyopathy may include genetics, medical conditions, and comorbidities. 

Who is Prone to Developing Heart Disease?

Anyone, regardless of their age, can develop heart disease. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of mortality across the United States. In addition to this, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the following populations as well: black people, white people, and Hispanic people. Reports unveil that more than half of the population living in the United States are at risk of some sort of heart disease, and the numbers are drastically rising.

Heart disease can be life-threatening but can be prevented as well by sticking to certain precautions. In order to reduce your chances of catching heart disease, focus on a healthy lifestyle

Is there any Treatment Available for Heart Disease?

There are various treatments available to treat heart disease. However, the doctor will decide which treatment is right for you based on your condition and its progress. For instance, if you are living with a heart infection, you will most probably be prescribed an antibiotic by your doctor. On the other hand, if it is something else, such as plaque build-up, you may be prescribed certain medication and asked to adopt some lifestyle changes.

The treatments for heart disease are divided into three major categories:

Medications:

You might be prescribed certain types of medicines to deal with the heart disease you are having. The type of drug you will be prescribed depends on the heart disease you are under. Certain medications may help to cure or manage the existing condition. The following are the medications usually prescribed to people with heart disease:

• Calcium channel blockers

• Beta-blockers

• ACE inhibitors 

Lifestyle Changes:

Making certain changes to your lifestyle can help you live longer with a healthier heart.  Lifestyle changes may consist of 

• Eating healthy

• Cutting off habits like smoking

• Reducing alcohol consumption

Surgery or Invasive Procedures:

In specific heart diseases, you might be suggested to undergo surgery or a medical procedure to address the condition and reduce the risk of other unwanted fallouts. For instance, in the case of blocked arteries, the doctor will put a stent in the blocked arteries to regulate the blood flow. 

Takeaway:

Heart disease is proliferating across the world, taking the lives of millions of people each year. In the United States, heart disease is the number one cause of mortality.  There are several factors that can lead to different types of heart disease in people regardless of their age and sex. Certain people are more likely to develop heart disease, especially those who have diabetes, hypertension, smoke, etc. Lifestyle changes can definitely help to mitigate the risks and complications of heart disease. In certain cases, people may have to undergo surgery to get issues resolved, such as plaque build-up in the arteries.

FAQs: 

1. What is heart disease, and what causes it? 

Heart disease comes out as a general term, encompassing many conditions associated with the heart and blood vessels. The following are the risk factors for heart disease: smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, high cholesterol, etc. Besides, heart disease is the number one cause of death across the United States.

2. What are the most common types of heart disease?

Out of all the heart diseases, coronary heart disease stands out as the most common heart disease at present. CHD arises when the arteries delivering blood to the heart contract due to plaque build-up.

3. Which heart disease is serious?

As mentioned above, coronary artery disease comes out as the most common type of heart disease. In 2021, the number of deaths that occurred due to heart disease was nearly 700,000. Out of all these deaths, 375,000 happened due to coronary artery disease. Therefore, it is considered the most serious heart disease out of all.

4. How does heart disease impact your life?     

Heart disease is a general term encompassing many heart and blood vessel conditions, such as clogged arteries and heart infections. These conditions can affect your heart and body in many ways. For instance, it can contribute to heart attack and stroke in the long term if not treated. Across the United States, heart disease comes out as the top cause of death for men and women.