Common Heart Disease Names

Heart Disease is specific to any disease that has an adverse effect on the heart. The heart is a major organ that is composed of primarily muscle and blood vessels that pumps blood throughout the body. Heart disease is a prominent cause of death in many western countries and is said to be the leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary heart disease is the most widespread form of the disease and has been estimated to be responsible for up to 70% of deaths per year. Names of heart diseases are inclusive of: ischaemic heart disease, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory heart disease and heart failure.

Ischaemic Heart Disease

Ischaemic Heart disease (IHD) or myocardial ischemia is generally promoted by coronary artery disease and causes in an obvious reduction in the blood supply to the heart muscle. It may show symptoms such as angina pectoris (chest pain) and reduced ability to undertake moderate exercise. The odds of developing IHD is increased with advanced age, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, a family history of the disease and is primarily much more likely to affect men.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) refers to the condition which progressively narrows the artery and blood vessels that feed the heart with blood and oxygen. This is as a result of an accumulation of plaque which is constituted of calcium, fatty material and scar tissue in the vessels. Once this materializes the heart is not provided with enough blood to perform normal functioning.

Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease describes any disease that affects one or more valves of the heart. Valvular heart disease may materialize because of a congenital factor (being born with the condition) or it may be acquired over the course of a lifetime.

Hypertensive Heart Disease

Hypertensive heat disease is any heart disease that comes about as a result of hypertension or high blood pressure. It may often progress into the probable development of left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiac arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, hypertensive congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that is characterized by obvious deterioration of the myocardium (heart muscles) for various reasons. Persons who are afflicted with this condition are at an increased risk of arrhythmia (which may cause abnormal heart beat and or more seriously cardiac arrest) or sudden cardiac death.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is specific to diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels (arteries or veins). It is generally associated with atherosclerosis (arterial disease) though the disorder is becoming more widespread and is considered to kill more people than cancer.

Inflammatory heart disease

Inflammatory heart disease materializes when the heart and surrounding tissues become inflamed. Conditions related to this disease include: myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), Endocarditis (inflammation of the internal layers of the heart) and inflammatory cardiomegaly.

Heart Failure or Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure occurs when the the heart is unable to provide sufficient blood to accommodate the body’s needs. It may display several associated symptoms including: reduced ability to carry out physical activities, shortness of breath, or swollen ankles. It may be treated with surgical intervention, maintaining some lifestyle changes and or with medication. It is a lethal disease that has a high mortality rate.