Heart Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Types & Treatment
Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and its ability to work properly. Understanding the warning signs, risk factors, and available treatment options can help you seek medical care at the right time.
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Risks
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention & Heart Health
When to See a Doctor
FAQ
What Is Heart Disease?
Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and its ability to work properly. These conditions can affect the heart’s blood vessels, muscles, valves, or electrical rhythm.
Common types include coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart valve disease, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. Risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, and family history can increase the risk of developing certain heart conditions.
Recognizing symptoms and understanding your risk can help you seek medical care at the right time.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of heart condition. Some people may have noticeable warning signs, while others may have few or no symptoms until the condition becomes more serious
Chest Pain or Pressure
Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, squeezing or pain in the chest.
Shortness of Breath
Difficulty breathing during activity or sometimes even at rest.
Irregular Heartbeat
Fluttering, racing, pounding or skipped heartbeats.
Dizziness or Fainting
Feeling lightheaded, weak or losing consciousness.
Unusual Fatigue
Persistent tiredness or weakness that isn’t typical for you.
Swelling
Swelling in the feet, ankles or legs can occur with some heart conditions.
When Chest Pain May Be an Emergency
Sudden or severe chest pressure or pain, especially when accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck or jaw, can be a sign of a heart attack.
Types of Heart Disease
Coronary Artery Disease
A condition in which plaque buildup can narrow the arteries supplying blood to the heart.
Heart Arrhythmias
Problems with the heart’s rhythm, causing the heart to beat too quickly, slowly or irregularly.
Heart Failure
A condition in which the heart cannot pump blood as effectively as the body needs.
Heart Valve Disease
Problems involving the valves that control blood flow through the heart.
Cardiomyopathy
Diseases affecting the heart muscle that can make it harder for the heart to pump effectively.
Congenital Heart Disease
Heart problems that are present from birth.
What Causes Heart Disease?
Common Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Physical inactivity
- Excess weight/obesity
- Unhealthy diet
- Family history
- Increasing age
- Chronic stress
- Excessive alcohol use
Heart Disease Isn't Always About Lifestyle
Although lifestyle and health conditions can increase the risk of heart disease, they are not the only causes. Some heart conditions may be related to inherited factors, problems present from birth, infections, structural abnormalities, or other medical conditions.
Are You at Higher Risk?
Smoking →
High BP →
High Cholesterol →
Diabetes →
Obesity →
Family History →
Heart Disease Risk →
How Is Heart Disease Diagnosed?
01 — Medical History
Your doctor asks about symptoms, health history and risk factors.
02 — Physical Examination
The doctor may check blood pressure, heart rate and listen to the heart.
03 — Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
Records the heart’s electrical activity.
04 — Blood Tests
May help evaluate cholesterol, blood sugar and other relevant markers.
05 — Imaging & Other Tests
Depending on symptoms, doctors may use tests such as echocardiography, cardiac CT, stress testing or other investigations.
Heart Disease Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and severity of heart disease and may include lifestyle changes, medicines, procedures, surgery, or cardiac rehabilitation.
Lifestyle Changes
- Heart-healthy diet
- Regular physical activity
- Smoking cessation
- Weight management
- Stress management
Medications
Depending on the condition, doctors may prescribe medicines to control blood pressure, cholesterol, blood clots or heart symptoms.
Medical Procedures
Some conditions may require procedures such as angioplasty or stent placement.
Surgery
Certain heart conditions may require bypass surgery, valve repair/replacement or other surgical treatment.
How to Protect Your Heart
Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
Stay Physically Active
Avoid Smoking & Tobacco
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Get Enough Sleep
Monitor Blood Pressure, Cholesterol & Blood Sugar
When Should You See a Doctor?
Talk to a healthcare professional if you develop new, persistent or worsening symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue, dizziness, fainting or irregular heartbeats.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Disease
Find clear answers to common questions about heart disease, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and how it works. These conditions can affect the heart muscle, blood vessels, heart valves or the heart's rhythm. Coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart valve disease and abnormal heart rhythms are examples of heart conditions.
Warning signs can vary depending on the type of heart condition. Possible symptoms include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, swelling of the legs or ankles and reduced ability to exercise. Some heart conditions may cause few or no noticeable symptoms in their early stages.
Many forms of heart disease can be reduced by managing important risk factors. Helpful measures include not smoking, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, managing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, limiting alcohol and attending recommended health check-ups.
The causes depend on the specific type of heart disease. Common contributors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and family history. Some heart conditions can also result from problems affecting the heart valves, heart muscle, electrical system or blood vessels.
Common types include coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart valve disease and heart rhythm disorders. Other conditions can affect the heart muscle, blood vessels or structures of the heart. The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment depend on the specific condition.
Diagnosis usually begins with your symptoms, medical history and a physical examination. Depending on the suspected condition, a doctor may recommend tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, blood tests, stress testing, Holter monitoring or cardiac imaging.
Many heart conditions can be treated or managed effectively. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medicines, monitoring or procedures depending on the condition. Some people may require treatments such as angioplasty, stent placement, valve procedures or other cardiac interventions.
New, severe or unexplained chest pain should be taken seriously. Seek emergency medical care if chest discomfort is severe, lasts more than a few minutes or occurs with symptoms such as shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, fainting or pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw. Do not wait for symptoms to improve on their own if you suspect a heart attack.
Concerned About Your Heart Health?
Don’t ignore persistent or unexplained symptoms. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional for appropriate evaluation and guidance.
