Types Of Heart Disease, 101
Heart disease is not one particular type of trouble - it is a disorder of the circulatory system, and, in particular, the heart. Each of the many types of heart disease can be referring to damage to the heart's muscle, valves, lining, arteries, or electrical system. There are many types of heart disease, and a person can have just one or more than one type. It can be something that the person is born with - such as a heart abnormality, or something that develops over time, like blockage of the arteries. Some things that influence heart disease can be controlled by the person, such as whether or not they smoke or get exercise, what types of foods they eat, and other things are uncontrollable, like gender, ethnicity, and age.
Types Of Heart Disease - A Quick Review
When most of us think of heart disease, the type we envision is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). A major symptom of CAD is angina, which is a heaviness or squeezing in the chest, but can also be felt in other ways. It is easily mistaken for heartburn or indigestion. There are other symptoms that can also be related to CAD besides angina, including faster heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sweating.
Another type of heart disease is Myocardial Infarction (MI), commonly known as a Heart Attack. Symptoms are similar to those of CAD, but increase substantially. They can be mild, yet gradually increasing, and they last 30 minutes or more but are not relieved with medication or rest. Heart Attack symptoms should be treated immediately, by calling 911.
Some people have the type of heart disease that is called "Arrhythmia." It is often accompanied by a feeling of palpitations in the heart area, or with weakness or fainting. One type of arrhythmia is called "Atrial Fibruillation," or AF.
Heart Valve Disease manifests itself with shortness of breath, weakness, discomfort in the chest, particularly when going into cold air, heart palpitations, or dizziness. If allowed to cause heart failure, more symptoms follow: swelling in feet, abdomen, ankles, or belly, or a very quick weight gain. The amount of the symptoms does not directly correlate to the severity of the heart disease.
With full-on Heart Failure, the symptoms will be similar to the above, but also can include a cough with a white mucus. Nausea, swelling dizziness, fatigue, palpitations - all are also common if one has heart failure. Once again, the severity of the symptoms does not always match the severity of the heart disease.
Some babies are born with congenital heart defects. Many are diagnosed early on, but it is possible to not have any symptoms and only be diagnosed during an exam as an adult. Typical symptoms for these adults can include shortness of breath, limitations on the amount of exercise one is able to do, and other classic heart or valve failure symptoms. In children and babies, the symptoms can also include fast breathing, poor weight gain, cyanosis, and frequent lung infections.
If one has Cardiomyopathy (Heart Muscle Disease), there may be no symptoms at all. If symptoms do present themselves, they can come at any age and are similar to the other symptoms for heart related diseases, such as palpitations, swelling, and fainting. Some have arrhythmias as well.
Pericarditis is a type of heart disease that is different from CAD. It can give one a sharp chest pain, which can also go to the neck, arms, and back. It is worse while lying down, breathing deeply, or coughing or swallowing. It is better if sitting forward.
