Types of Heart Disease | Covenant HealthCare

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.More than 62 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease.At Covenant HealthCare, we want to see individuals live a long and healthy life. Thats why were working hard to tackle the issue of heart disease here in mid-Michigan.

There are many different types of heart disease. Some are congenital (people are born with heart problems), but a majority of heart diseases develop over the course of time and affect people later in life. Youll find some of the most common heart diseases listed below.

Coronary Artery DiseaseBlockage in the coronary arteries is called coronary artery diseasea condition in which the heart muscles don't get enough blood and oxygen. The most serious effect of coronary artery disease is sudden death without warning. This usually happens in individuals who have had heart attacks or other heart damage.

Silent IschemiaA form of coronary artery disease in which the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced but produces very little pain or symptoms. When discomfort is experienced, it is usually during physical exertion.

AnginaAngina is discomfort or pain that occurs when your heart is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients. Angina may be caused by a narrowing of the arteries or muscle spasms in the coronary arteries. These spasms may be induced by cigarette smoke, cold temperatures, strong emotions, and other sources. It is important to note that angina isn't a heart attack and doesn't usually cause permanent heart damage, even though it causes pain.

The causes of angina are generally atherosclerosis or coronary artery spasm. Angina is not the same for everyone. While it usually occurs when the heart is working harder than normal, such as after a meal or during physical or emotional stress, it can also occur when resting.

Traditionally, angina occurs primarily in the chest and radiates down the left arm. However, it can be any discomfort that radiates in the chest, across the shoulders, in the upper back, arms (both left and right), neck, throat, or jaw.

Symptoms of Angina

If you experience any of the symptoms above:

If angina lasts longer than 15 minutes or worsens, call 911 or get to a hospital emergency room immediately. Never drive yourself.

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)Part of the heart muscle can be damaged or die as a result blood flow is blocked. If the blockage is brief, and the heart eventually receives enough blood, oxygen, and nutrients, the damage is often reversible. This is why it is especially important for the heart attack victim to get medical help fast.

Warning signs of a heart attack include:

If you experience any symptoms for more than 15 minutes and believe they are heart related, call 911 or have someone get you to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.

Heart FailureHeart failure happens when the heart isn't pumping enough blood to meet your bodys needs. While many people believe the misconception that heart failure means an individual is about to die or that their heart has stopped, this is not true. Heart failure simply indicates that the heart is not squeezing as well as it should.It usually does not occur suddenly but gradually worsens over the time.

Heart failure can be caused by:

If you have the following symptoms of heart failure, please see a doctor immediately:

ArrhythmiaSometimes the hearts electrical system does not function normally. It may race, become slow, irregular, skip beats or sometimes the hearts electrical signal does not move in the proper sequence. This causes the heart to beat faster or slower than normal, or erratically. These abnormal rhythms are called arrhythmias. They can cause a variety of symptoms: dizziness, fainting, fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain or rapid palpitations that may feel like flutters or pounding of the heart. If left untreated, arrhythmias can be life threatening.

There are four major types of arrhythmias:

Poor blood supply to the heart, diseases of the heart valves or chemical imbalances in the body can cause VT. It often occurs during or after a heart attack. No matter how long it lasts, a physician must evaluate it. Normal heartbeat can be restored with electrical shock treatment (the paddles). Long-term control of VT may require an implanted defibrillator and/or medication.

Several diagnostic tests are available to identify arrhythmias including an electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter Monitor, a stress test, a tilt table test, and/or sometimes an electrophysiology study (EP) if necessary. In addition, if an arrhythmia is not revealed with routine testing then an implantable loop recorder may be indicated.

Heart DefectsAn obstruction is a heart defect that partly or completely blocks the flow of blood.Obstructions called stenosis can occur in the heart valves, arteries or veins.

Peripheral Arterial DiseaseLike the heart, all tissues of the body need oxygen and other nutrients to survive and work.Fatty plaques or atherosclerosis can also affect arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to other areas of the body. For example, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the legs and feet is blocked or decreased. This blockage in the vessels deprives the feet and legs of oxygen and nutrients, and produces symptoms usually in the thigh, calf muscle and feet.

Symptoms of PAD

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Types of Heart Disease | Covenant HealthCare