Heart Disease
Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. The term covers many different conditions, from coronary artery disease to heart failure, arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
- Type: Cardiovascular disease group
- ICD-10: I00–I99
- Leading cause of death: Globally
- Often preventable: Yes, in large part
Overview
Heart disease (cardiovascular disease) is a broad term for problems affecting the heart and the blood vessels that supply it. The most common form is coronary artery disease, in which fatty deposits narrow the arteries that feed the heart muscle.
Other major types include heart failure, arrhythmias, valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and congenital (present at birth) heart defects. Many forms share overlapping risk factors and benefit from the same prevention measures.
Types of Heart Disease
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) — narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction) — sudden blockage causing heart muscle damage.
- Heart failure — the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- Arrhythmias — abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation.
- Heart valve disease — narrowed or leaky heart valves.
- Cardiomyopathy — disease of the heart muscle itself.
- Congenital heart defects — structural problems present from birth.
- Pericardial disease — affecting the sac around the heart.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary widely by the type of heart disease, and some forms cause no symptoms in their early stages.
Common symptoms
- Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort (angina)
- Shortness of breath, especially with exertion or lying down
- Fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Lightheadedness or fainting
Heart attack warning signs
Call emergency services immediately for:
- Chest pressure or pain lasting more than a few minutes
- Pain radiating to the arm, jaw, neck, or back
- Cold sweats, nausea, or shortness of breath
- Women may experience subtler symptoms — unusual fatigue, indigestion, jaw or back discomfort
Causes
The specific cause depends on the type of heart disease, but most cardiovascular disease shares a common pathway: damage to the inner lining of blood vessels followed by buildup of fatty plaque (atherosclerosis).
- Atherosclerosis from high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, or hypertension
- Genetic and inherited conditions
- Viral or bacterial infections affecting the heart muscle
- Birth defects of the heart structure
- Aging and degenerative changes in heart valves
Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Obesity and physical inactivity
- Family history of early heart disease
- Age (risk rises with age)
- Chronic stress and poor sleep
- Excessive alcohol use
Diagnosis
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) — records the heart's electrical activity.
- Echocardiogram — ultrasound that shows heart structure and function.
- Stress testing — evaluates how the heart responds to exertion.
- Cardiac catheterization and angiography — visualizes coronary arteries directly.
- Cardiac MRI or CT — detailed imaging of heart structure and arteries.
- Blood tests — lipids, troponin (heart damage), BNP (heart failure).
- Holter or event monitor — records heart rhythm over hours or days.
Treatment
Lifestyle changes
- Quit smoking
- Eat a heart-healthy diet (Mediterranean or DASH patterns)
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Limit alcohol
- Manage stress and prioritize sleep
Medications
- Statins — lower cholesterol
- Antihypertensives — control blood pressure (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, etc.)
- Antiplatelet agents — reduce clotting risk (aspirin, clopidogrel)
- Anticoagulants — for atrial fibrillation and clot prevention
- Heart-failure medications — diuretics, ARNIs, SGLT2 inhibitors
- Antiarrhythmics — control abnormal heart rhythms
Procedures and surgery
- Angioplasty and stenting
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
- Valve repair or replacement
- Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators
- Catheter ablation for arrhythmias
- Heart transplant in advanced disease
Prevention
Most heart disease is largely preventable through risk-factor control. Key actions:
- Don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Keep blood pressure under target (often <130/80 mmHg for most adults).
- Maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
- Control blood sugar if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
- Stay physically active — sit less, move more.
- Limit saturated fats, added sugars, and ultra-processed foods.
- Manage stress; treat depression and sleep apnea if present.
When to See a Doctor
Call emergency services for the heart-attack warning signs above.
Schedule an appointment if you experience:
- Chest discomfort with exertion that resolves with rest
- New shortness of breath, palpitations, or swelling
- Fainting or near-fainting spells
- A family history of early heart disease and want screening
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Heart disease is the broader category — a heart attack is one specific event caused by blocked blood flow to part of the heart muscle. Many people have heart disease (such as coronary artery disease) for years before ever having a heart attack.
Some early changes, particularly in coronary artery disease, can be partially reversed with intensive lifestyle changes, cholesterol-lowering therapy, and treatment of risk factors. Established structural damage usually cannot be reversed, but its progression can be slowed or stopped.
Cardiologists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat heart disease, often with medications and minimally invasive procedures. Cardiothoracic surgeons perform open-heart operations such as bypass surgery and valve replacement.
Yes. Women are often diagnosed later and may have less typical symptoms — unusual fatigue, jaw or back discomfort, nausea, or shortness of breath — rather than classic crushing chest pain.
Not smoking has by far the largest single effect. Combined with blood pressure control, healthy weight, regular exercise, and a heart-healthy diet, smoking cessation can dramatically lower heart-disease risk.
References
- American Heart Association. Cardiovascular Disease Statistics.
- World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) fact sheet.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart Disease in the United States.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Coronary Heart Disease.