Systemic Cardiac Diseases

Some conditions and diseases affect the heart in some way, but occur in some other part of the body. They also may cause the onset of primary heart diseases. These conditions are called systemic cardiac diseases.

Atherosclerosis

• The most common systemic cardiac disease is atherosclerosis. It is characterized by narrowing of the arteries, which causes a disruption in the blood flow to the heart.

Hypertension

• Hypertension (high blood pressure) puts the heart under added stress, which can cause damage to the heart due to enlargement of the ventricles.

Fever

• Rheumatic fever can cause inflammation of the heart valves, which can lead to a permanently weakened heart. Other diseases may also cause damage to the heart valves and include ankylosing spondylitis, Marfan syndrome, tertiary syphilis and autoimmune diseases.

Cardiomyopathy

• Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscles. It can occur by itself or as a result of myocardium infiltration diseases (such as amyloidosis and Wilson's disease), endocrine diseases (such as diabetes), viral infections, muscular dystrophy, malnutrition and exposure to poisons.

Other

• Other systematic diseases that may also affect the heart include: malignant disease (such as tumors) nervous system disorders and kidney diseases.