Diseases Related to Heart Health
Heart-related diseases, also known as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), are conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Here are the major diseases associated with heart health:

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Cause: Narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).
Symptoms: Chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, heart attack.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
Cause: Blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle due to a clot or plaque rupture.
Symptoms: Chest pain, pain in arms/neck/jaw, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath.
Heart Failure
Cause: The heart’s inability to pump blood efficiently.
Symptoms: Fatigue, swelling in legs, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat.
Arrhythmia
Cause: Irregular heartbeat due to electrical signal disruptions in the heart.
Types:
Atrial fibrillation (irregular and rapid heartbeat)
Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)
Symptoms: Palpitations, dizziness, fainting, fatigue.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Cause: Persistent high blood pressure putting strain on the heart and arteries.
Symptoms: Often no symptoms, but severe cases can cause headaches, nosebleeds, or blurred vision.
Cardiomyopathy
Cause: Diseases of the heart muscle that affect its ability to pump blood.
Types:
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Symptoms: Fatigue, swollen legs, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats.
Valvular Heart Disease
Cause: Damage or dysfunction in one or more heart valves (stenosis, regurgitation, or prolapse).
Symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat.
Congenital Heart Defects
Cause: Heart abnormalities present at birth.
Examples:
Hole in the heart (atrial or ventricular septal defect)
Tetralogy of Fallot
Symptoms: Rapid breathing, fatigue, poor growth, cyanosis (bluish skin).
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Cause: Narrowing of blood vessels in limbs due to atherosclerosis.
Symptoms: Leg pain during walking, cold feet, wounds that don’t heal.
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Cause: Damage to heart valves from rheumatic fever, caused by untreated strep throat.
Symptoms: Chest pain, fatigue, swollen joints, breathlessness.
Endocarditis
Cause: Infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves.
Symptoms: Fever, chills, heart murmur, fatigue, swelling in legs or abdomen.
Pericarditis
Cause: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericardium).
Symptoms: Sharp chest pain, fever, palpitations, difficulty breathing.
Stroke
Cause: Reduced blood flow to the brain due to a blocked or burst blood vessel.
Types:
Ischemic stroke (clot blockage)
Hemorrhagic stroke (blood vessel rupture)
Symptoms: Sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, vision problems, severe headache.
Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection
Cause: Weakening or tearing of the aorta (the largest artery in the body).
Symptoms: Sudden chest or back pain, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism
Cause: Blood clots in veins (DVT) that can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Symptoms: Swelling in legs, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
Cause: Sudden loss of heart function due to an electrical disturbance.
Symptoms: Sudden collapse, no pulse, no breathing.
Metabolic Syndrome
Cause: A cluster of conditions (high blood pressure, high sugar, obesity, abnormal cholesterol) that increase heart disease risk.
Symptoms: Often asymptomatic but detectable through routine checks.
Broken Heart Syndrome (Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy)
Cause: Stress-induced weakening of the heart muscle.
Symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, mimicking a heart attack.
Prevention of Heart-Related Diseases
Maintain a balanced diet low in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars.
Engage in regular physical activity (30 minutes daily).
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.
Manage stress through relaxation techniques.
Monitor and manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
Get regular medical check-ups to detect and address risk factors early.
By understanding these conditions and their symptoms, you can take proactive steps to protect your heart health.