Heart disease
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Definition
Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. Various forms of heart disease include:
- Angina (angina pectoris) - stable
- Angina (angina pectoris) - unstable
- Aortic regurgitation
- Aortic stenosis
- Arrhythmias
- Cardiomyopathy - alcoholic
- Cardiomyopathy - dilated
- Cardiomyopathy - idiopathic
- Cardiomyopathy - ischemic
- Cardiomyopathy - hypertrophic
- Cardiomyopathy - peripartum
- Cardiogenic shock
- Congenital heart disease
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Endocarditis
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Heart failure
- Heart tumor
- Mitral regurgitation - acute
- Mitral regurgitation- chronic
- Mitral stenosis
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Pulmonary stenosis
- Tricuspid regurgitation
Alternative Names
Cardiovascular disorders
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The most common cause of heart disease is a narrowing of or blockage in the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle (coronary artery disease). Some heart diseases are present at birth (congenital heart disease).
Other causes include:
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Abnormal heart valve function
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Cardiomyopathy - weakening of the heart's pumping ability, often caused by heart disease, viral infection, or toxins
References
Goldman L. Approach to the patient with possible cardiovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 48.
Review Date:
11/14/2010
Reviewed By:
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
