Heart Disease Signs & Symptoms

Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, is the leading killer of both men and women in the United States according to the American Heart Association. Heart disease kills more people than all types of cancer. If you suspect that you have heart disease, it's important to learn about the common signs and symptoms and see your doctor immediately.

Function

• There is more than just one disease that affects the functioning of the heart. All heart diseases share the common characteristic of interfering with the ability of the heart to pump blood. If the heart does not work as well as it should, organs and tissues do not receive an adequate amount of blood and may be damaged due to lack of oxygen. In extreme cases, the heart stops functioning, resulting in death.

Types

• Coronary artery disease is one of the most common forms of heart disease. The disease occurs when arteries become clogged with plaque, limiting blood flow and reducing the heart's ability to pump blood. Contributing factors to the development of coronary artery disease include diet, high cholesterol levels and family history.
  Cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and enlarged, causing it to stop working efficiently. The disease can be caused by a virus or can be the result of high blood pressure, a heart attack, heart valve disease or a congenital heart defect.
  Valvular heart disease is caused by damage to one or more of the four valves in your heart. Damage can be caused by infections, connective tissue disorders, radiation treatments and rheumatic fever.
  Congenital heart disease is a form of the disease that develops before birth. This group of diseases can cause holes in the heart, a narrowing of the aorta or malformation of the heart itself.
  Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood. It does not mean that the heart totally shuts down, just that it is not working at full capacity. When congestive heart failure occurs, fluids may build up in the body. The condition may result from cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease or several other conditions.
  An aneurysm is a weakness in an artery or vein that may appear as a bulge in the vessel wall. Aneurysms can rupture eventually and cause potentially fatal bleeding. Aneurysms can occur in areas other than the heart, such as the abdomen or brain.

Features

• Heart disease symptoms vary from person to person depending on the severity of the disease. You may find that you are tired all the time, are retaining fluid or have trouble catching your breath. Other signs of heart disease include dizziness, fainting, palpitations, a fluttering sensation in the chest and swelling of the feet or ankles.
  You may experience angina, a pain in the chest that means that your heart is not getting enough blood. While angina is not a heart attack, having angina means that you have an underlying heart condition and are more likely to experience a heart attack.
  Signs of a heart attack include pain or discomfort in the center of the chest. You may feel a squeezing sensation or feel pressure or fullness. The pain may last for a few minutes or may come and go. Everyone may not experience chest pain. Some people report pain in the arms, neck, jaw or stomach. Nausea, sweating, dizziness and shortness of breath may occur.

Considerations

• You can reduce your risk of developing heart disease by keeping your blood pressure under control, quitting smoking and controlling diabetes and your cholesterol level. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising on a regular basis will help your heart function at its optimum level.

Warning

• If you experience any of the symptoms listed in this article, call 911 and get to an emergency room immediately. There is no way to know if you are actually having a heart attack without a medical evaluation and delaying treatment can cost you your life.