An Overview of Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States according to the CDC. 1 in 4 deaths in this country is the result of heart disease – that’s approximately 61,000 people dying of heart disease every year.

Heart disease targets white people, Hispanic people, and Black people equally. About half of all Americans are at risk for heart disease, and that number continues to rise. But while heart disease is deadly, it is also preventable. You can prevent heart disease by choosing a healthier lifestyle and turning your habits around. 

Different Types of Heart Disease 

The term heart disease covers a wide array of cardiovascular problems. The different types of heart disease include:

• Arrhythmia – A heart rhythm abnormality
• Atherosclerosis – Hardening of the arteries
• Cardiomyopathy – When the muscles of the heart harden or grow weak
• Congenital heart defects – Heart irregularity present at birth 
• Coronary artery disease – Buildup of plaque on the heart’s arteries 
• Heart infections – Caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites 

Symptoms of Heart Disease

• Arrhythmias – If your heartbeats are too fast or too slow. 

• • • Lightheadedness
    • Fluttering pulse/racing heartbeat
    • Slow pulse
    • Fainting spells
    • Dizziness
    • Chest pain

• Atherosclerosis – Reduces blood supply to extremities.

• • • Chest pain
    • Shortness of breath
    • Coldness, especially in the limbs
    • Unusual/unexplained pain
    • Weakness in the legs and arms

• Congenital Heart Defects – Heart problems that develop in a growing fetus. 

• • • Blue-tinged skin
    • Swelling of extremities 
    • Fatigue/low energy
    • Irregular heart rhythm 

• Coronary Artery Disease – Plaque buildup in the arteries that impedes oxygen-rich blood from moving to the heart and lungs.

• • • Chest pain/discomfort
    • Pressure/squeezing in the chest
    • Shortness of breath
    • Nausea
    • Indigestion/gas

• Cardiomyopathy – When the heart grows larger and turns rigid.

• • • Fatigue
    • Bloating
    • Swollen legs/ankles/feet
    • Shortness of breath
    • Pounding/rapid pulse

• Heart Infections – Conditions like endocarditis or myocarditis.

• • Chest pain
  • Chest congestion/coughing
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Skin rash

How to Prevent Heart Disease

There are some risk factors for heart disease that can’t be controlled, such as your family history or your sex. But you can still lower your chance of developing heart disease by decreasing risk factors that are within your control. 

You can: 

• Shoot for healthy blood pressure and good cholesterol numbers. 

• • • Ideal cholesterol levels are different depending on someone’s risk factors and heart health history. If you’re at risk for heart disease, have diabetes, or have had a heart attack, your target cholesterol levels will be lower than someone with low/average risk. 

• Manage stress effectively. 

• • • If you are frequently overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed, talk to your doctor about how you can effectively manage these feelings. Managing stress can lower your risk for heart disease. 

• Adopt a healthier lifestyle. 

• • Eat healthy, exercise regularly, and quit smoking. These are three simple but effective things to lower your risk for heart disease.