June 17, 2024

Approximately 60 percent of the world’s burden of heart disease comes from India. One of the leading causes of deaths in India, heart diseases has become prevalent and is a silent epidemic affecting many. In India, many people have been affected by diabetes, hypertension, smoking and metabolic syndrome. These common risk factors are responsible for heart diseases. Understanding the different types of heart diseases, its symptoms, causes, and prevention can help reduce the risks and manage the disease. In this blog, you will learn everything you need to know about heart diseases. 

Everything You Need to Know About Heart Disease

Types

Heart disease is not one single disease. It is a collective term used to describe a number of different types of diseases that affect the heart. All these different diseases might have varying root causes. The following are some of the different types of heart disease: 

Coronary artery disease

The most common heart disease type is coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease. This disease occurs when the arteries are blocked or become narrowed due to the buildup of plaque (cholesterol and other materials) on its walls. In this way blood flow to the heart is blocked and it leads to heart attack, chest pain etc. Coronary artery disease can build up over years and become recognizable only when a heart attack occurs. 

Coronary heart disease can show up as chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath and heart attack. 

Congenital heart defects

Congenital heart defects are heart defects (structural problems) that are present at birth. These defects affect the heart walls, valves, or blood vessels. Congenital heart defects is a heart disease type that may be caused due to genetic factors, environmental factors like medications, consumption of alcohol, maternal factors like drug use during pregnancy, infections during pregnancy etc.

The following irregularities occur in congenital heart disease type: 

• Atypical heart valves: The valves may leak or not open properly, blocking blood flow. 
• Septal defects: Septal defects are holes in the walls that separates the heart’s chambers 
• Atresia: Atresia is a condition in which a portion of the heart or valves are not formed properly. 

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia means irregular heartbeat.  In this heart disease type, the heartbeat could be slower, faster or even be irregular. Abnormal heart rhythm can be of many types like: 

• Tachycardia: A condition called tachycardia occurs when the heart beats more quickly than usual.
• Bradycardia: Bradycardia is a disorder in which the heart beats more slowly than usual.
• Premature contractions: Early heartbeats that interfere with the normal cardiac rhythm are known as premature contractions.

Heart disease symptoms caused by irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmias)

Irregular heartbeats can cause different types of heart disease symptoms. These are: 

Chest pain or Discomfort: 

Chest pain or discomfort is usually a sign of coronary heart disease type, but it can also be associated with arrhythmias sometimes. 

Dizziness: 

Dizziness, which is the feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness, which occurs due to reduced blood flow to the brain, is another one of heart disease symptoms.

Fainting (Syncope) or Near Fainting: 

A near fainting experience, sudden loss of consciousness is another one of heart disease symptoms.

It is caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure or heart rate. 

Fluttering in the Chest: 

The feeling of fluttering in the chest is felt due to rapid or irregular heartbeat, which is also called as arrhythmia. 

Lightheadedness: 

The feeling that you’re about to pass out, lightheadedness is one among the heart disease symptoms that occurs along with dizziness. 

Racing Heartbeat (Tachycardia): 

As a symptom of heart disease, one might feel like their heart is racing even when they are at rest, not just when their bodies are active. 

Shortness of Breath: 

This one among the heart disease symptoms can be indicative of arrhythmia.

Slow Heartbeat (Bradycardia): 

A slow heartbeat is one of the heart disease symptoms that can cause fatigue, weakness and dizziness or fainting. 

FAQs

1. What causes heart diseases?

Heart diseases can be caused due to a number of factors like; genetics, lifestyle factors, medical conditions and even age and gender. Having a family history of heart diseases makes one prone to getting one too. Lifestyle factors like unhealthy eating habits, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can contribute to heart diseases. Medical causes like high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes are also grave risk factors. In age and gender, risk increases with age, men are generally at a higher risk than women. 

2. Who is more likely to develop heart diseases?

Individuals with the following risk factors are more likely to develop heart diseases:

• Age: Risk increases with age.
• Gender: Men are generally at higher risk, though women’s risk of heart disease symptoms increases after menopause.
• Family history: A family history of heart disease type can increase risk.
• Lifestyle choices: Poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Medical conditions: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity

3. What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Symptoms can vary depending on the heart disease type, but common heart disease symptoms include:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Pain, numbness, weakness, or coldness in your legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts of your body are narrowed
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, or back
• Fatigue
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet 

4. How are heart diseases diagnosed?

Heart diseases are diagnosed using a variety of methods:

• Physical exam: Checking for physical signs of heart disease.
• Blood tests: To measure cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and other markers.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): To measure the electrical activity of the heart.
• Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart to visualize its structure and function.
• Stress test: To measure the heart’s response to physical exertion.
• Cardiac catheterization: A procedure to examine how well the heart is functioning.
• CT scan or MRI: To provide detailed images of the heart.