Heart Disease

Over the course of a typical lifetime, the human heart will beat around 2.5 billion times, circulating millions of gallons of blood throughout the body. This constant flow of blood delivers oxygen, hormones, and essential nutrients while removing metabolic waste products.

Considering the heart’s unrelenting workload, it’s impressive how long it continues to function effectively. However, various factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, infections, genetic predispositions, and more can lead to its decline.

Two major concerns regarding heart health are heart disease and cardiovascular disease, terms often used interchangeably but with distinct meanings.

Heart disease specifically refers to conditions that directly affect the heart itself, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart valve issues, and irregular heart rhythms.

Cardiovascular disease is a broader term that encompasses all diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, including both heart disease and conditions like stroke.

What are the different types of heart disease?

Heart disease involves conditions that impair the function and health of the heart. Some of the most common types include:

Cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle that results in abnormal enlargement, thickening, or stiffening of the heart.
Congenital heart disease: Heart abnormalities that are present at birth.
Coronary artery disease: A buildup of cholesterol-filled plaques in the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.
Endocarditis: An infection and inflammation of the heart valves and inner lining of the heart’s chambers (endocardium).
Heart attack (myocardial infarction): Occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle suddenly stops.
Heart failure: The heart’s inability to pump blood effectively, resulting in an insufficient oxygen supply to the body.
Arrhythmias: Irregularities in heartbeats, which may be too fast, too slow, or erratic.
Heart valve disorders: Issues affecting the valves that regulate blood flow within the heart and to the rest of the body.
Myocarditis: Inflammation of the myocardium, the heart’s middle layer, which reduces its ability to pump blood.
Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac surrounding the heart.
Sudden cardiac arrest: A sudden cessation of the heartbeat.

What causes heart disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent form of heart disease, and its primary cause is atherosclerosis—a buildup of cholesterol plaque in the coronary arteries. This plaque restricts blood flow, potentially leading to chest pain (angina) and requiring immediate medical intervention. When plaque ruptures, it can form a blood clot, blocking blood flow and triggering a heart attack.

Key risk factors for atherosclerosis (and thus CAD) include:

High total cholesterol levels
High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol
High triglycerides
Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Diabetes
Family history of heart disease
Smoking
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Inflammation

Symptoms of heart disease

Heart disease can manifest through various symptoms. If you experience any of the following symptoms without a clear cause, consult your doctor immediately:

Fatigue: Persistent fatigue may signal conditions like heart failure or coronary artery disease.
Unexplained aches or pains: Pain or pressure in the chest, arms, shoulders, back, jaw, or abdomen, especially when triggered by activity and relieved by rest, may indicate restricted blood flow to the heart muscle.
Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing with minimal exertion can be a sign of heart disease.
Swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles: Swelling that leaves an indentation when pressed could point to heart failure.
Heart palpitations: Irregular or rapid heartbeats may be harmless but could also indicate a heart problem.

How can you prevent heart disease?

Adopting heart-healthy habits is the most effective way to prevent heart disease. Key preventive measures include managing blood pressure and cholesterol, eating a plant-based diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking.

Blood pressure: High blood pressure overworks the heart, weakening it over time. Blood pressure is categorized as:
- Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg
- Elevated: 120/less than 80 to 129/less than 80 mm Hg
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130/80 to 139/89 mm Hg
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140/90 mm Hg and above
Cholesterol: Maintaining optimal cholesterol levels is crucial. LDL (bad cholesterol) should ideally be below 100 mg/dL, while HDL (good cholesterol) should be above 40 mg/dL. Your target numbers may vary based on your health and risk factors, so consult with your doctor.
Diet: A plant-based diet, particularly the Mediterranean and DASH diets, is linked to heart health. These diets emphasize whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and healthy fats like olive oil, while reducing red meat and processed food consumption.
Exercise: Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (about 30 minutes a day, five days a week), though more exercise is generally better.
Weight: About 30% of American adults are overweight. Maintaining a healthy weight is important as even a small increase in weight can raise the risk of heart disease. Consult your doctor for guidance on the ideal weight for your age, gender, and body type.
Sleep: Adults should get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Insufficient sleep is associated with heart disease risk factors such as stress, inflammation, high blood pressure, and weight gain.
Smoking: Smokers are at much higher risk of heart disease and early death. Quitting, with the help of nicotine replacement therapies or other methods, can greatly reduce this risk. Consult with your doctor about options for quitting.