What Are the Possible Diseases of the Heart?

According to a 2006 estimate of the American Heart Association, some 80,000,000 Americans suffer from one or more forms of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States today. The term "heart disease" (also called "cardiovascular disease") can refer to a number of diseases affecting the heart or sometimes the blood vessels.

Blood Vessel Blockage

• The heart, brain and other organs can't receive enough blood if the heart's blood vessels are narrowed or blocked. Such blockage puts a patient at risk for a stroke, heart attack, or heart failure, says the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath.

Arrhythmias

• An abnormal heart rhythm may be caused by the heart beating too fast, too slow or irregularly. Symptoms may include heart fluttering or racing sensations, lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting.

Heart Defects

• Serious congenital heart defects are usually detected early in life. Less serious defects may be detected later in life; symptoms include a build-up of lung fluid, shortness of breath, fatigue or swelling of legs, feet or ankles.

Cardiomyopathy

• Cardiomyopathy is the thickening of the heart muscle. Symptoms may include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal swelling, dizziness or leg, foot or ankle swelling.

Heart Infections

• Pericarditis, myocarditis and endocarditis are all caused by heart infections. Symptoms include fever, dry cough or skin rashes.

Valvular Heart Disease

• The valves of the heart may be damaged by narrowing, leaking or improper closing. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heart beat, chest pain and fainting.