The 7 most common heart diseases are:
- Coronary artery disease: This is the most common type of heart disease, caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. It can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attack, and heart failure.
- Arrhythmia: This refers to an irregular heartbeat, where the heart may beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. It can cause symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, and fainting.
- Heart failure: This occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body. It can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs and ankles.
- Heart valve disease: This refers to problems with the valves that regulate blood flow through the heart. It can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- Cardiomyopathy: This is a disease of the heart muscle, where the muscle becomes thick, rigid, or weak, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively.
- Congenital heart disease: This refers to heart defects that are present at birth, such as holes in the heart, valve abnormalities, or problems with the heart’s structure or blood vessels.
- Peripheral artery disease: This is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs become narrow or blocked, causing pain, numbness, and other symptoms. It is often caused by atherosclerosis, the same condition that leads to coronary artery disease.
