Common Types of Cardiovascular Diseases: Explained

Cardiovascular diseases refer to disorders that impact the anatomy or functionality of the heart. This article explains in detail some of the major cardiovascular diseases.

Fremont, CA: Cardiovascular diseases encompass a range of conditions that impact the structure or functionality of the heart, including:

1.  Arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms

2.  Aortic disease and Marfan syndrome

3.  Congenital heart defects

4.  Coronary artery disease is caused by the shrinking of arteries

5.  Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

6.  Myocardial infarction, generally known as a heart attack

7.  Heart failure

8.  Cardiomyopathy, or heart muscle disease

9.  Heart valve disorders

10. Pericardial conditions

11. Peripheral vascular disease

13  Rheumatic heart disease

14.  Stroke

15.  Vascular diseases affecting blood vessels.

Cardiovascular disease ranks as the foremost cause of mortality in the United States. Understanding the intricacies of heart health is crucial for prevention. For those already affected, acquiring knowledge about the condition and adopting a proactive approach to self-care can lead to a healthier and more productive lifestyle.

Different forms of cardiovascular disease may arise from various factors, making it essential to recognize their distinctions.

Abnormal Heart Rhythms:

The heart is a remarkable organ, functioning with a consistent and regular rhythm. It typically beats between 60 and 100 times per minute, which equates to approximately 100,000 beats daily. Occasionally, the heart may experience disruptions in its rhythm. Medical professionals refer to an irregular or abnormal heartbeat as an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia, also called dysrhythmia, can result in an inconsistent heartbeat, either occurring too slowly or rapidly.

Aorta Disease and Marfan Syndrome:

The aorta is the major artery that exits the heart, delivering oxygenated blood throughout the body. Certain medical conditions can lead to the dilation or rupture of the aorta, increasing the risk of complications such as:

 ♦    Atherosclerosis (hardened arteries)

 ♦    Hypertension

 ♦    Connective tissue disorders that may compromise the integrity of blood vessel walls, including scleroderma, osteogenesis imperfecta, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and polycystic kidney disease

 ♦    Trauma.

Individuals diagnosed with aortic disease will require the involvement of a team of specialists and surgeons to manage their treatment effectively.

Cardiomyopathies:

This term refers to disorders affecting the heart muscle, commonly known as an enlarged heart. Individuals diagnosed with these conditions exhibit abnormally large, thickened, or rigid hearts, which are less effective in pumping blood. If left untreated, cardiomyopathies tend to deteriorate over time, potentially resulting in heart failure and irregular heart rhythms.

Cardiomyopathy can occasionally be hereditary; however, it may also arise from factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, or infections.