Difference between revisions of "Heart disease" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{sprotect2}}
+
{{Images OK}}{{Approved}}{{copyedited}}
{{Infobox_Disease |
+
[[Image:Human heart with coronary arteries new.png|thumb|right|240px|Human heart with coronary arteries.]]
  Name          = {{PAGENAME}} |
+
'''Heart disease''' is a general category for grouping [[disease]]s that involve the [[heart]] and any structural or functional abnormalities of the [[blood vessel]]s supplying the heart that impairs its normal functioning. Included under this designation are such diverse medical conditions as [[coronary heart disease]] (including [[heart attack]] (myocardial infarction), [[angina]]), congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, myocarditis ([[inflammation]] of the heart muscle), endocarditis, pericarditis, and [[arrhythmia]]. Heart disease is one grouping of diseases within the larger category of a [[cardiovascular disease]], an umbrella term for grouping [[disease]]s that involve the [[circulatory system]].
  Image         = |
 
  Caption        = |
 
  DiseasesDB    = |
 
  ICD10          = |
 
  ICD9          = |
 
  ICDO          = |
 
  OMIM          = |
 
  MedlinePlus    = |
 
  eMedicineSubj  = |oo
 
  
  eMedicineTopic = |
+
Currently, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the [[United States]] (Miniño et al. 2007), [[England]], [[Canada]], and [[Wales]] (NS 2006), killing one person every 34 seconds in the United States alone (Hitti 2004). However, for most people, the heart functions remarkably well from birth, beating a little more than once a second throughout their lives. Beyond risk factors related to heredity, gender, and age, many of the risk factors involve aspects that people can control, such as smoking, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity, lack of physical activity, and poor management of [[stress (medicine)|stress]] and [[anger]].  
  MeshID        = D006331 |
 
}}
 
'''Heart disease''' is a general category or umbrella term for grouping [[disease]]s that involve the [[heart]] and any structural or functional abnormalities of the [[blood vessel]]s supplying the heart that impairs its normal functioning. Included under this designation are such diverse medical conditions as [[coronary heart disease]], [[stroke]], [[heart attack]] (myocardial infarction), congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, myocarditis ([[inflammation]] of the heart muscle), endocarditis, pericarditis, and [[arrhythmia]].
 
  
Currently, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the [[United States]] (Miniño et al. 2007), [[England]], [[Canada]], and [[Wales]] (NS 2006),  killing one person every 34 seconds in the United States alone (Hitti 2004).  
+
==Types of heart disease==
 +
===Coronary heart disease===
 +
Coronary artery disease is a disease of the [[blood vessel]]s that supply [[blood]] to the [[heart]] muscle. Although blood fills the chambers of the heart, the muscle tissue of the heart, or [[myocardium]], is so thick that it requires coronary blood vessels to deliver blood deep into it. The vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium are known as coronary arteries. The vessels that remove the deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle are known as coronary veins. Coronary heart disease typically is caused by the accumulation of [[atheroma]]tous plaques within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium.
 +
 
 +
Coronary heart disease itself encompasses such symptoms and conditions as '''angina pectoris''' (chest pain) and acute '''myocardial infarction''' (heart attack). Angina pectoris or angina is severe chest pain resulting from a lack of blood and hence oxygen supply to the heart muscle, most commonly due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary [[artery|arteries]]. A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is interrupted. This is most commonly due to occlusion (blockage) of a [[coronary artery]]. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for both men and women all over the world (WHO 2002).  
  
==Overview==
+
Over 451,000 Americans die of coronary heart disease every year (AHA 2008; Friedewald 2002). In the [[United Kingdom]], coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death, with 101,000 deaths annually due to this condition (BHF 2007).
Two of the most important are '''coronary heart disease''' and '''cerebrovascular disease'''. Coronary heart disease (or coronary disease) refers to the failure of coronary circulation to supply adequate circulation to cardiac muscle and surrounding tissue. Cerebrovascular disease is a group of brain dysfunctions related to disease of blood vessels supplying the brain. In the United States, these two diseases account for much of the deaths from cardiovascular disease. Of the nearly one million people who died from cardiovascular disease in 1998, 460,390 died of coronary heart disease and 158,060 died of cerebrovascular disease (Friedewald 2002).  
 
  
Coronary heart disease itself encompasses such conditions as acute '''myocardial infarction''' (heart attack) and '''angina pectoris'''. A myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is a condition when the [[Blood flow|blood supply]] to part of the [[heart]] is interrupted. This is most commonly due to occlusion (blockage) of a [[coronary artery]]. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for both men and women all over the world (WHO 2002). Angina pectoris, known as angina, is severe chest pain due to ischemia (a lack of blood and hence oxygen supply) of the heart muscle, generally due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary [[artery|arteries]] (the heart's blood vessels).
+
===Congenital heart disease===
 +
Congenital heart disease or congenital heart defect (CHD) is a defect in the structure of the [[heart]] and [[great vessels]] of a [[newborn]] and result from abnormal fetal heart development. Most heart defects either obstruct [[blood flow]] in the heart or [[blood vessel|vessels]] near it or cause blood to [[circulatory system|flow]] through the heart in an abnormal pattern, although other defects affecting heart rhythm (such as [[long QT syndrome]]) can also occur. Heart defects are among the most common [[birth defect]]s and are the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths.
  
==Types of heart disease==
+
===Rheumatic heart disease===
===Coronary heart disease===
+
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that may occur after a bacterial infection and that can cause inflammation of the heart. It is responsible for many cases of damaged heart valves worldwide.
{{main|Coronary heart disease}}
+
 
 +
===Inflammatory heart disease===
 +
Myocarditis is [[inflammation]] of the myocardium, the muscular part of the heart. Although there are many cause, it is generally due to infection (viral or bacterial). It may cause chest pain, rapid signs of heart failure, or sudden death.
  
''Coronary artery disease'' is a disease of the artery caused by the accumulation of [[atheroma]]tous plaques within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium. [[Angina pectoris]] (chest pain) and [[myocardial infarction|myocardial infarction (heart attack)]] are symptoms of and conditions caused by coronary heart disease.
+
Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, the [[endocardium]]. It usually involves the [[heart valve]]s (native or prosthetic valves).
  
Over 451,000 Americans die of coronary heart disease every year<ref name="AHA">American Heart Association:And if they didnt smoke that number would be way way way down!?! [http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3000090 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics]-2008 Update. AHA, Dallas, Texas, 2008</ref>. In the [[United Kingdom]], 101,000 deaths annually are due to coronary heart disease.<ref>[http://www.heartstats.org/uploads/documents%5C2007.chapter1.pdf British Heart Statistics report]</ref>
+
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the [[pericardium]] (the fibrous sac surrounding the heart).
  
 
===Cardiomyopathy===
 
===Cardiomyopathy===
{{main|Cardiomyopathy}}
+
Cardiomyopathy literally means "heart muscle disease" (''Myo'' means "muscle," and ''pathy'' means "disease"). It is the deterioration of the function of the [[myocardium]] (that is, the actual heart muscle) for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of [[arrhythmia]] and/or [[sudden cardiac death]].
  
''Cardiomyopathy'' literally means "heart muscle disease" (Myo= muscle, pathy= disease) It is the deterioration of the function of the [[myocardium]] (i.e., the actual heart muscle) for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of [[arrhythmia]] and/or [[sudden cardiac death]].
+
There are various types:
* Extrinsic cardiomyopathies - cardiomyopathies where the primary [[pathology]] is outside the myocardium itself. Most cardiomyopathies are extrinsic, because by far the most common cause of a cardiomyopathy is [[ischemia]]. The [[World Health Organization]] calls these ''specific cardiomyopathies''{{Fact|date=December 2007}}:
+
 
 +
* Extrinsic cardiomyopathies. These are cardiomyopathies where the primary [[pathology]] is outside the myocardium itself. Most cardiomyopathies are extrinsic, because by far the most common cause of a cardiomyopathy is [[ischemia]]. The [[World Health Organization]] calls these ''specific cardiomyopathies:''
 
** [[Alcoholic cardiomyopathy]]
 
** [[Alcoholic cardiomyopathy]]
 
** [[Coronary artery disease]]
 
** [[Coronary artery disease]]
** [[Congenital heart disease]] - [[#Congenital heart disease|see below]]
+
** [[Congenital heart disease]]
 
** Nutritional diseases affecting the heart
 
** Nutritional diseases affecting the heart
 
** [[Ischemic cardiomyopathy|Ischemic (or ischaemic) cardiomyopathy]]
 
** [[Ischemic cardiomyopathy|Ischemic (or ischaemic) cardiomyopathy]]
 
** [[Hypertensive cardiomyopathy]]
 
** [[Hypertensive cardiomyopathy]]
** [[Valvular cardiomyopathy]] - see also ''[[#Valvular heart disease|Valvular heart disease]]'' below
+
** [[Valvular cardiomyopathy]]--see also ''[[#Valvular heart disease|Valvular heart disease]]'' below
** [[Inflammatory cardiomyopathy]] - see also ''[[#Inflammatory heart disease|Inflammatory heart disease]]'' below
+
** [[Inflammatory cardiomyopathy]]--see also ''[[#Inflammatory heart disease|Inflammatory heart disease]]'' below
 
** [[Secondary cardiomyopathy|Cardiomyopathy secondary to a systemic metabolic disease]]
 
** [[Secondary cardiomyopathy|Cardiomyopathy secondary to a systemic metabolic disease]]
* Intrinsic cardiomyopathies - weakness in the muscle of the heart that is not due to an identifiable external cause.
+
* Intrinsic cardiomyopathies. These are any weakness in the muscle of the heart that is not due to an identifiable external cause.
** [[Dilated cardiomyopathy]] (DCM) - most common form, and one of the leading indications for [[heart transplantation]]. In DCM the heart (especially the [[left ventricle]]) is enlarged and the pumping function is diminished.
+
** [[Dilated cardiomyopathy]] (DCM)--most common form, and one of the leading indications for [[heart transplantation]]. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart (especially the [[left ventricle]]) is enlarged and the pumping function is diminished.
** [[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]] (HCM or HOCM) - [[genetic disorder]] caused by various [[mutation]]s in genes encoding [[sarcomere|sarcomeric]] proteins. In HCM the heart muscle is thickened, which can obstruct blood flow and prevent the heart from functioning properly.
+
** [[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]] (HCM or HOCM)--[[genetic disorder]] caused by various [[mutation]]s in genes encoding [[sarcomere|sarcomeric]] proteins. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle is thickened, which can obstruct blood flow and prevent the heart from functioning properly.
** [[Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy]] (ARVC) - arises from an electrical disturbance of the heart in which heart muscle is replaced by fibrous scar tissue. The [[right ventricle]] is generally most affected.
+
** [[Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy]] (ARVC)--arises from an electrical disturbance of the heart in which heart muscle is replaced by fibrous scar tissue. The [[right ventricle]] is generally most affected.
** [[Restrictive cardiomyopathy]] (RCM) - least common cardiomyopathy. The walls of the ventricles are stiff, but may not be thickened, and resist the normal filling of the heart with blood. ** [[Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy]] - the left ventricle wall has failed to properly grow from birth and such has a spongy appearance when viewed during an echocardiogram.
+
** [[Restrictive cardiomyopathy]] (RCM)--least common cardiomyopathy. The walls of the ventricles are stiff, but may not be thickened, and resist the normal filling of the heart with blood.  
 +
** [[Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy]]--the left ventricle wall has failed to properly grow from birth and such has a spongy appearance when viewed during an echocardiogram.
  
===Cardiovascular disease===
+
===Ischaemic heart disease===
{{main|Cardiovascular disease}}
+
Ischaemic or ischemic heart disease (IHD), or myocardial ischaemia, is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease ([[atherosclerosis]] of the coronary arteries). It is the most common cause of death in many Western countries, and a major cause of hospital admissions. Its risk increases with age, [[tobacco smoking|smoking]], [[hypercholesterolaemia]] (high [[cholesterol]] levels), [[diabetes mellitus|diabetes]], [[hypertension]] (high blood pressure), and is more common in men and those who have close relatives with ischaemic heart disease.
 
 
''Cardiovascular disease'' is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart. Research on disease dimorphism suggests that women who suffer with cardiovascular disease usually suffer from forms that affect the blood vessels while men usually suffer from forms that affect the heart muscle itself. Known or associated causes of cardiovascular disease include [[diabetes mellitus]], [[hypertension]], [[hyperhomocysteinemia]] and [[hypercholesterolemia]].
 
 
 
Types of cardiovascular disease include:
 
* [[Atherosclerosis]]
 
  
===Ischaemic heart disease===
+
===Arrhythmia===
* [[Ischaemic heart disease]] - another disease of the heart itself, characterized by reduced blood supply to the organs.
+
Cardiac arrhythmia (also dysrhythmia) is a term for any of a large and heterogeneous group of conditions in which there is abnormal electrical activity in the heart. The heart beat may be too fast or too slow, and may be regular or irregular.
  
 
===Heart failure===
 
===Heart failure===
{{main|Heart failure}}
+
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure (or CHF) and congestive cardiac failure (CCF), is a condition that can result from any structural or functional [[cardiac]] disorder that impairs the ability of the [[heart]] to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of [[blood]] throughout the body. An example is [[Cor pulmonale]], a failure of the right side of the heart.
 
 
''Heart failure'', also called ''congestive heart failure'' (or ''CHF''), and '''congestive cardiac failure''' ('''CCF'''), is a condition that can result from any structural or functional [[cardiac]] disorder that impairs the ability of the [[heart]] to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of [[blood]] throughout the body.
 
* [[Cor pulmonale]], a failure of the right side of the heart.
 
  
 
===Hypertensive heart disease===
 
===Hypertensive heart disease===
{{main|Hypertensive heart disease}}
+
Hypertensive heart disease is heart disease caused by high blood pressure, especially localized high blood pressure. Conditions that can be caused by hypertensive heart disease include:
 
 
''Hypertensive heart disease'' is heart disease caused by high blood pressure, especially localised high blood pressure. Conditions that can be caused by hypertensive heart disease include:
 
 
* [[Left ventricular hypertrophy]]
 
* [[Left ventricular hypertrophy]]
 
* [[Coronary heart disease]]
 
* [[Coronary heart disease]]
Line 78: Line 64:
 
* [[Hypertensive cardiomyopathy]]
 
* [[Hypertensive cardiomyopathy]]
 
* [[Cardiac arrhythmias]]
 
* [[Cardiac arrhythmias]]
 
===Inflammatory heart disease===
 
''Inflammatory heart disease'' involves inflammation of the heart muscle and/or the tissue surrounding it.
 
* [[Endocarditis]] - [[inflammation]] of the inner layer of the [[heart]], the [[endocardium]]. The most common structures involved are the [[heart valve]]s.
 
* [[Inflammatory]] [[cardiomegaly]]
 
* [[Myocarditis]] - [[inflammation]] of the [[myocardium]], the muscular part of the heart.
 
  
 
===Valvular heart disease===
 
===Valvular heart disease===
{{main|Valvular heart disease}}
+
Valvular heart disease is any disease process involving one or more of the valves of the heart. The valves in the right side of the heart are the [[tricuspid valve]] and the [[pulmonic valve]]. The valves in the left side of the heart are the [[mitral valve]] and the [[aortic valve]]. Valve problems may be congenital (inborn) or acquired (due to another cause later in life).  
 
 
''Valvular heart disease'' is disease process that has one tube  [[Heart valve|valves]] of the [[heart]]. The valves in the right side of the heart are the [[tricuspid valve]] and the [[pulmonic valve]]. The valves in the left side of the heart are the [[mitral valve]] and the [[aortic valve]].
 
 
* [[Aortic valve stenosis]]
 
* [[Aortic valve stenosis]]
 
* [[Mitral valve prolapse]]
 
* [[Mitral valve prolapse]]
 
* [[Valvular cardiomyopathy]]
 
* [[Valvular cardiomyopathy]]
 
==See also==
 
* [[Aneurysm]]
 
** [[Aortic aneurysm]]
 
* [[Diet and heart disease]]
 
* [[Endothelium-derived relaxing factor]]
 
* [[Hypertension|High blood pressure (Hypertension)]]
 
* [[Thrombosis]]
 
* [[Oral hygiene]]
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
+
* American Heart Association (AHA). 2008. [http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3000090 Heart disease and stroke statistics: 2008 update.] ''American Heart Association''. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
 
+
* British Health Foundation (BHF). 2007. ''British Heart Foundation Statistics Database''.  
 
+
* Friedewald, W. T. 2002. Cardiovascular diseases. In L. Breslow, ''Encyclopedia of Public Health''. New York: Macmillan Reference USA/Gale Group Thomson Learning. ISBN 0028658884.
<ref> {{cite journal
+
* Hitti, M. 2004. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,142436,00.html Heart disease kills every 34 seconds in U.S.] ''Fox News'' December 30, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
| last = Division of Vital Statistics
+
* Miniño, A. M., M. P. Heron, S. L. Murphy, and K. D. Kochanek. 2007. [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_19.pdf Deaths: Final data for 2004.] ''National Vital Statistics Reports'' 55(19). ''Centers for Disease Control''. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
| first =
+
* National Statistics (NS). 2006. Heart disease leading cause of death in England & Wales. ''News Release: Health Statistics Quarterly Spring 2006''.
| coauthors = Arialdi M. Miniño, M.P.H., Melonie P. Heron, Ph.D., Sherry L. Murphy, B.S., Kenneth D. Kochanek, M.A.
+
* World Health Organization (WHO). 2004. [http://www.who.int/entity/whr/2004/en/report04_en.pdf The World Health Report 2004: Changing History.] ''World Health Organization''. ISBN 924156265X. . Retrieved September 12, 2008.
| title = Deaths: Final data for 2004
 
| journal = National Vital Statistics Reports
 
| volume = 55
 
| issue = 19
 
| pages = 7
 
| publisher = Center for Disease Control
 
| location = United States
 
| date = [[2007-08-21]]
 
| url = http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_19.pdf
 
| format = [[PDF]]
 
| accessdate = 2007-12-30 }} </ref><ref>{{Citation
 
| last = White House News
 
| first =
 
| title = American Heart Month, 2007
 
| url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/02/20070201-2.html
 
| accessdate = 2007-07-16}}
 
 
 
 
 
<ref>{{cite news
 
| last = Hitti
 
| first = Miranda
 
| title = Heart Disease Kills Every 34 Seconds in U.S.
 
| publisher = Fox News - WebMD
 
| date = [[2004-12-07]]
 
| url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,142436,00.html
 
| accessdate = 2007-12-30 }}</ref>
 
 
 
NS 2006 <ref> [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/hsq0506.pdf National Statistics Press Release] [[25th May]] [[2006]]</ref>
 
 
 
==External links==
 
{{Sisterlinks}}
 
* [http://videos.med.wisc.edu/videoInfo.php?videoid=266 VIDEO - Heart Disease in the Female Population: Prevalence, Presentation and Pathophysiology], Mary Zasadil, MD, speaks at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (2007)
 
* [http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=1969&CategoryID=1&Src=heart Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada] - Information Resource on Heart Disease
 
* [http://www.bhf.org.uk/ British Heart Foundation]
 
* [http://www.healthination.com/heart_disease.php VIDEO - What is Heart Disease?]
 
 
 
{{Circulatory system pathology}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
Line 152: Line 84:
 
[[Category:Diseases]]
 
[[Category:Diseases]]
  
{{credit|Heart_disease|237192552}}
+
{{credit|Heart_disease|237192552|Coronary_circulation|230793523|Congenital_heart_defect|235877670|Myocarditis|237349425|Endocarditis|235225753|Pericarditis|237619804|Ischaemic_heart_disease|236475406|Cardiac_arrhythmia|236393195}}

Latest revision as of 15:13, 25 January 2023

Human heart with coronary arteries.

Heart disease is a general category for grouping diseases that involve the heart and any structural or functional abnormalities of the blood vessels supplying the heart that impairs its normal functioning. Included under this designation are such diverse medical conditions as coronary heart disease (including heart attack (myocardial infarction), angina), congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), endocarditis, pericarditis, and arrhythmia. Heart disease is one grouping of diseases within the larger category of a cardiovascular disease, an umbrella term for grouping diseases that involve the circulatory system.

Currently, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States (Miniño et al. 2007), England, Canada, and Wales (NS 2006), killing one person every 34 seconds in the United States alone (Hitti 2004). However, for most people, the heart functions remarkably well from birth, beating a little more than once a second throughout their lives. Beyond risk factors related to heredity, gender, and age, many of the risk factors involve aspects that people can control, such as smoking, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity, lack of physical activity, and poor management of stress and anger.

Types of heart disease

Coronary heart disease

Coronary artery disease is a disease of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. Although blood fills the chambers of the heart, the muscle tissue of the heart, or myocardium, is so thick that it requires coronary blood vessels to deliver blood deep into it. The vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium are known as coronary arteries. The vessels that remove the deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle are known as coronary veins. Coronary heart disease typically is caused by the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium.

Coronary heart disease itself encompasses such symptoms and conditions as angina pectoris (chest pain) and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Angina pectoris or angina is severe chest pain resulting from a lack of blood and hence oxygen supply to the heart muscle, most commonly due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries. A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is interrupted. This is most commonly due to occlusion (blockage) of a coronary artery. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for both men and women all over the world (WHO 2002).

Over 451,000 Americans die of coronary heart disease every year (AHA 2008; Friedewald 2002). In the United Kingdom, coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death, with 101,000 deaths annually due to this condition (BHF 2007).

Congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease or congenital heart defect (CHD) is a defect in the structure of the heart and great vessels of a newborn and result from abnormal fetal heart development. Most heart defects either obstruct blood flow in the heart or vessels near it or cause blood to flow through the heart in an abnormal pattern, although other defects affecting heart rhythm (such as long QT syndrome) can also occur. Heart defects are among the most common birth defects and are the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths.

Rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that may occur after a bacterial infection and that can cause inflammation of the heart. It is responsible for many cases of damaged heart valves worldwide.

Inflammatory heart disease

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, the muscular part of the heart. Although there are many cause, it is generally due to infection (viral or bacterial). It may cause chest pain, rapid signs of heart failure, or sudden death.

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, the endocardium. It usually involves the heart valves (native or prosthetic valves).

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium (the fibrous sac surrounding the heart).

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy literally means "heart muscle disease" (Myo means "muscle," and pathy means "disease"). It is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium (that is, the actual heart muscle) for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia and/or sudden cardiac death.

There are various types:

  • Extrinsic cardiomyopathies. These are cardiomyopathies where the primary pathology is outside the myocardium itself. Most cardiomyopathies are extrinsic, because by far the most common cause of a cardiomyopathy is ischemia. The World Health Organization calls these specific cardiomyopathies:
    • Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
    • Coronary artery disease
    • Congenital heart disease
    • Nutritional diseases affecting the heart
    • Ischemic (or ischaemic) cardiomyopathy
    • Hypertensive cardiomyopathy
    • Valvular cardiomyopathy—see also Valvular heart disease below
    • Inflammatory cardiomyopathy—see also Inflammatory heart disease below
    • Cardiomyopathy secondary to a systemic metabolic disease
  • Intrinsic cardiomyopathies. These are any weakness in the muscle of the heart that is not due to an identifiable external cause.
    • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)—most common form, and one of the leading indications for heart transplantation. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart (especially the left ventricle) is enlarged and the pumping function is diminished.
    • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM or HOCM)—genetic disorder caused by various mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle is thickened, which can obstruct blood flow and prevent the heart from functioning properly.
    • Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)—arises from an electrical disturbance of the heart in which heart muscle is replaced by fibrous scar tissue. The right ventricle is generally most affected.
    • Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)—least common cardiomyopathy. The walls of the ventricles are stiff, but may not be thickened, and resist the normal filling of the heart with blood.
    • Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy—the left ventricle wall has failed to properly grow from birth and such has a spongy appearance when viewed during an echocardiogram.

Ischaemic heart disease

Ischaemic or ischemic heart disease (IHD), or myocardial ischaemia, is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries). It is the most common cause of death in many Western countries, and a major cause of hospital admissions. Its risk increases with age, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol levels), diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and is more common in men and those who have close relatives with ischaemic heart disease.

Arrhythmia

Cardiac arrhythmia (also dysrhythmia) is a term for any of a large and heterogeneous group of conditions in which there is abnormal electrical activity in the heart. The heart beat may be too fast or too slow, and may be regular or irregular.

Heart failure

Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure (or CHF) and congestive cardiac failure (CCF), is a condition that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of blood throughout the body. An example is Cor pulmonale, a failure of the right side of the heart.

Hypertensive heart disease

Hypertensive heart disease is heart disease caused by high blood pressure, especially localized high blood pressure. Conditions that can be caused by hypertensive heart disease include:

  • Left ventricular hypertrophy
  • Coronary heart disease
  • (Congestive) heart failure
  • Hypertensive cardiomyopathy
  • Cardiac arrhythmias

Valvular heart disease

Valvular heart disease is any disease process involving one or more of the valves of the heart. The valves in the right side of the heart are the tricuspid valve and the pulmonic valve. The valves in the left side of the heart are the mitral valve and the aortic valve. Valve problems may be congenital (inborn) or acquired (due to another cause later in life).

  • Aortic valve stenosis
  • Mitral valve prolapse
  • Valvular cardiomyopathy

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • American Heart Association (AHA). 2008. Heart disease and stroke statistics: 2008 update. American Heart Association. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  • British Health Foundation (BHF). 2007. British Heart Foundation Statistics Database.
  • Friedewald, W. T. 2002. Cardiovascular diseases. In L. Breslow, Encyclopedia of Public Health. New York: Macmillan Reference USA/Gale Group Thomson Learning. ISBN 0028658884.
  • Hitti, M. 2004. Heart disease kills every 34 seconds in U.S. Fox News December 30, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  • Miniño, A. M., M. P. Heron, S. L. Murphy, and K. D. Kochanek. 2007. Deaths: Final data for 2004. National Vital Statistics Reports 55(19). Centers for Disease Control. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  • National Statistics (NS). 2006. Heart disease leading cause of death in England & Wales. News Release: Health Statistics Quarterly Spring 2006.
  • World Health Organization (WHO). 2004. The World Health Report 2004: Changing History. World Health Organization. ISBN 924156265X. . Retrieved September 12, 2008.

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.