Types of Heart Diseases: List of Most Common Heart (Cardiovascular) Diseases 

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Common Types of Heart Diseases: Risk Factors and Causes

In recent times, heart diseases have become a major cause of death in India. In this blog, different types of heart diseases with a list of the most common heart (cardiovascular) diseases are mentioned. A number of risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and family history which are responsible for causing heart diseases. 

Types of Heart Diseases

Heart diseases are another name for cardiovascular diseases. They are primarily brought on by blood flow disturbances including angina, heart attacks, and heart failure. Stroke, peripheral artery disease, and congenital heart conditions are among the many forms of cardiovascular conditions mentioned. 

List of Common Heart Disorders

Following is the list of some of the most common types of heart disease:

Coronary Artery Disease

Plaques developing in the arteries are a sign of coronary artery disease. The blood supply to the heart is constrained by plaque buildup. Angina, heart attacks, and sudden death from cardiac arrest might develop as a result. 

Heart Failure

Cardiac failure is a disorder that both causes and contributes to other serious cardiac conditions. When the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body, heart failure occurs. Other heart problems including coronary artery disease may be to blame. Heart failure can also be caused by weak heart muscles. Shortness of breath, exhaustion, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, and lightheadedness or vertigo are signs that a heart is failing.

Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat)

Heartbeat irregularities can be brought on by a number of conditions, including coronary artery disease, weak heart muscles, excessive blood pressure, and some drugs. Arrhythmia is the medical term for an irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmia symptoms and indicators include shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting.  

Congenital Heart Disease

Heart problems known as congenital heart illnesses are ones that exist from birth. Congenital heart disease is caused by an anomaly in the structure and function of the heart that existed during development in the womb or at the time of birth. Cyanosis, or a bluish tint to the skin, shortness of breath, and heart failure are all signs of CHD. 

Valvular Heart Disease

Since the heart’s valves are designed to maintain blood flowing in the right direction, it happens whenever they malfunction. Some of the symptoms and indicators of valvular heart disease include chest discomfort, breathlessness, and weak heart muscles.   

Symptoms of Heart Diseases

Distinct heart problems can result in distinct heart illnesses’ symptoms. However, there are some underlying symptoms that are common to several forms of heart disease. 

The common symptoms of heart disease are listed below: 

• A common symptom of all the different types of heart disease is chest pain.
• Shortness of breath is another one of the common symptoms of different heart diseases. 
• Constant feelings of weakness, and tiredness, also known as fatigue even after proper rest is also an indication of heart disease.
• Experiencing a running or a beating heart, medically known as palpitations is a common symptom of heart disease. 
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet is another sign and symptom of a possible heart condition.

Causes of Heart Diseases

There are numerous causes for every heart problem. However, there are a few common factors that can be linked to the various forms of heart disease. 

Some of the common causes of different heart diseases include:

• High Blood Pressure: The topmost cause of any heart disease is improper blood flow and blood regulation. High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of all the different types of heart disease. 
• High Cholesterol: High amounts of cholesterol cause the thickening of blood vessels impacting the normal flow of blood. Therefore, high cholesterol is a direct invitation and one of the major causes of heart disease. 
• Diabetes: The viscosity of blood changes in diabetes which in turn impacts blood flow. Therefore, diabetic conditions can increase the risk of heart disease.
• Smoking: Smoking decreases the levels of oxygenation leading to improper functioning of the heart making it one of the biggest causative agents of heart disease. 
• Obesity: Increasing obesity is another cause of the increased risk of heart attack/failure. It is also one of the lifestyle habits that of smoking that causes heart disease.
• Physical Inactivity: Physical inactivity causes the building up of fatty material in the blood vessels impacting blood flow. Thus, physical inactivity is one of the causative factors of heart disease. 
• Family History: If any person in the family has a heart condition, the risk of a heart condition increases due to genetic factors. 

Risk Factors for Heart Diseases

The various risk factors for heart disorders are divided into two groups depending on whether they are under our control or not:

• Modifiable Risk Factors: The risk factors that are in our control and can be changed are known as modifiable risk factors. This includes factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and physical activity level.
• Non-Modifiable Risk Factors: The type of risk factors that are not in our control are known as non-modifiable risk factors. Examples of this class include age, gender, and race.

Early Signs of Heart Diseases

Any disease can benefit greatly from early detection in order to receive timely treatment. These days, it can be challenging to spot any early warning signs or symptoms of heart disease. However, there are several symptoms that, when seen, urge a person to visit the hospital and see a doctor right away. 

• Chest pain is one of the most common and the earliest signs of heart disease. 
• Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing is also an early sign of heart disease.
• The feeling of tiredness, weakness, or fatigue which does not go away even after resting is an early indication of heart disease. 
• Another one of the early signs of heart disease is a racing or pounding heart which is also known as palpitations. 
• Swelling of legs, ankles, or feet too is indicative of a heart disease. 

Types of Cardiovascular Diseases

Heart diseases are another name for cardiovascular diseases. They are primarily brought on by blood flow disturbances including angina, heart attacks, and heart failure. Stroke, peripheral artery disease, and congenital heart conditions are among the many forms of cardiovascular conditions mentioned. 

Conclusion

Heart attacks are currently a severe concern in India, and the situation is getting worse. Heart disorders come in a variety of forms, and each type has unique signs and causes. As a result, it is crucial to understand the causes of heart disease as well as how to avoid it. There are many steps that you can take for reducing any risk of heart disease:

• Have a healthy diet
• Do regular exercise
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid smoking
• Limit alcohol/alcoholic beverages
• Blood pressure control
• Cholesterol control
• Manage diabetes, and
• Get regular checkups

Reduce your lifestyle’s risk factors for heart disease by doing the next measures. Talk to your doctor right away if you have any concerns or an emergency, or go to Vydehi Super Speciality Hospital.