Cardiac Disorder

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiac disorders are the leading cause of death in men and women in the U.S. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading risk factor for cardiac disorder.

Definition

• Cardiac disorder is a general term that may be used interchangeably with the terms, heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Cardiac disorder refers to any type of disease that inhibits normal functioning of the heart.

Types

• There are several types of cardiac disorder including coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, heart attack, and heart failure.

Symptoms

• According to MayoClinic.com, symptoms of cardiac disorder depend upon the type and severity of the disorder. However, some cardiac disorders may have similar symptoms including dizziness, chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.

Cause

• According to the National Institutes of Health, the most common cause of heart disease is atherosclerosis, which refers to a narrowing or blockage of the arteries.

Treatment

• Treatment aimed at opening blocked and narrow arteries may involve diet and lifestyle changes, medication, and surgical procedures.