All That You Want To Be Familiar With Heart Disease

Who gets heart disease?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source. In the United States, 1 in every 4 deaths in is the result of a heart disease. That’s about 610,000 people who die from the condition each year.

Heart disease doesn’t discriminate. It’s the leading cause of death for several populations, including white people, Hispanics, and Black people. Almost half of Americans are at risk for heart disease, and the numbers are rising. Learn more about the increase in heart disease rates.

While heart disease can be deadly, it’s also preventable in most people. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits early, you can potentially live longer with a healthier heart. 

 

What are the different types of heart disease?

Heart disease encompasses a wide range of cardiovascular problems. Several diseases and conditions fall under the umbrella of heart disease. Types of heart disease include:

  *  Arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm abnormality.
  * Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries.
  * Cardiomyopathy. This condition causes the heart’s muscles to harden or grow weak.
  * Congenital heart defects. Congenital heart defects are heart irregularities that are present at birth.
  * Coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is caused by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries. It’s sometimes called ischemic heart disease.
  * Heart infections. Heart infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

The term cardiovascular disease may be used to refer to heart conditions that specifically affect the blood vessels.

What causes heart disease?

Heart disease is a collection of diseases and conditions that cause cardiovascular problems. Each type of heart disease is caused by something entirely unique to that condition. Atherosclerosis and CAD result from plaque buildup in the arteries. Other causes of heart disease are described below.

 

Heart infection causes

Bacteria, parasites, and viruses are the most common causes of heart infections. Uncontrolled infections in the body can also harm the heart if they’re not properly treated.

 

What are some risk factors for heart disease?

There are many risk factors for heart disease. Some are controllable, and others aren’t. The CDC says that around 47 percent Trusted Source of Americans have at least one risk factor for heart disease. Some of these risk factors include:

  *High blood pressure
 *High cholesterol and low levels of high densitylipoprotein(HDL),the“good”cholesterol
   * Smoking
   *Obesity
   *Physical inactivity

Risk factors you can’t control

Other risk factors for heart disease include:

*Family history

*Ethnicity

*Sex

*Age

Although these risk factors aren’t controllable, you may be able to monitor their effects. 

How is heart disease diagnosed?

Your doctor may order several types of tests and evaluations to make a heart disease diagnosis. Some of these tests can be performed before you ever show signs of heart disease. Others may be used to look for possible causes of symptoms when they develop.

What treatments are available for heart disease?

Treatment for heart disease largely depends on the type of heart disease you have as well as how far it has advanced. For example, if you have a heart infection, your doctor is likely to prescribe an antibiotic.

If you have plaque buildup, they may take a two-pronged approach: prescribe a medication that can help lower your risk for additional plaque buildup and look to help you adopt healthy lifestyle changes.