Heart & Circulatory Health Data Verified

Heart Problems

Creator: Dr. Sapkal Ganeshrao Patilba
Published: 2019-07-30T05:36:32-04:00

Written by

and medically reviewed by Dr. Sapkal Ganeshrao Patilba

Published on Jul 30, 2019 and last reviewed on Feb 03, 2023 - 6 min read

Abstract

Many types of heart problems can affect the heart muscles, heart valves, or blood flow to the heart. Learn about the various types and symptoms of heart problems.

Contents

Types Of Heart Problems

Coronary Artery Disease (Cad)

Peripheral Arterial Disease (Pad)

Aortic Aneurysm

Cardiomyopathy

Hypertensive Heart Disease

Heart Failure

Pulmonary Heart Disease

Cardiac Arrhythmias

Heart Infections

Valvular Heart Disease

Congenital Heart Disease

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Problems in the heart can be anything from defects in the blood vessels or the circulatory system, heart rhythm abnormalities, heart muscle abnormalities, and congenital birth defects. Heart problems are the leading cause of death worldwide. In the US, 1 in every 4 deaths is due to heart disease.

What Are the Types of Heart Problems?

Heart diseases involving the blood vessels (atherosclerotic disease):
1. Coronary artery disease.
2. Peripheral arterial disease.
3. Aortic aneurysm.
Cardiomyopathy.
Hypertensive heart disease.
Heart failure.
Pulmonary heart disease.
Cardiac arrhythmias.
Heart infections:
1. Endocarditis.
2. Myocarditis.
3. Pericarditis.
Valvular heart disease.
Congenital heart disease.
Rheumatic heart disease.

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD)

CAD is caused by vascular injury caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries supplying the heart, which is called atherosclerosis. This plaque buildup can partially or completely block the arteries, causing reduced blood flow or stopping the blood flow altogether. This causes the heart muscle supplied by the blocked artery, devoid of oxygen.

Symptoms

Chest pain or heaviness or tightness.
Arm or shoulder pain.
Shortness of breath.
Dizziness.
Jaw pain.
Nausea and vomiting.

PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE (PAD)

PAD usually results in restricted blood flow to the legs and feet, which is caused by the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels.

Symptoms

Pain in the calves.
Numbness and tingling sensation in legs or feet.
Injury to the leg heals slowly.
Related Topics
What is the effect of congenital heart disease during pregnancy?
Is my dizziness related to any heart problem?
Do fluctuations in heartbeat denote heart disease?

AORTIC ANEURYSM

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the aorta, which is the largest artery of the body. If left untreated, an aortic aneurysm can grow and rupture.

Symptoms

Sudden and intense pain in the abdomen or back.
Dizziness.
Clamminess.
Rapid pulse.
Dyspnea.
Lightheadedness.

CARDIOMYOPATHY

Cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease that causes the heart muscle to weaken, which makes the heart muscles unable to pump blood to the rest of the body. The different types of cardiomyopathies are:

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD).
Restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy.
Ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Noncompaction or spongiform cardiomyopathy.
Pediatric cardiomyopathy.
Idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

Symptoms

Fatigue.
Shortness of breath on exertion.
Chest pain.
Dizziness.
Syncope.
Hypertension.
Swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs.

HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE

In people with high blood pressure, the heart has to work under increased pressure, which causes heart diseases like heart failure, heart muscle thickening, coronary artery disease, and other heart problems.

Symptoms

Angina.
Feeling of tightness or pressure over the chest.
Dyspnea.
Fatigue.
Persistent cough.
Shoulder, back, neck, and arm pain due to raised blood pressure.
Swelling of the ankle and feet.

HEART FAILURE

Here, the heart is unable to pump an adequate quantity of blood to the body. It can result from other heart conditions or after a heart attack. The types of heart failure are:

Left-sided heart failure.
Right-sided heart failure.
Diastolic heart failure.
Systolic heart failure.

Symptoms

Sudden weight gain.
Extreme tiredness.
Loss of appetite.
Leg and ankle swelling.
Persistent cough.
Abdominal swelling.
Veins in the neck look protruded.
Palpitations.
Irregular pulse.

PULMONARY HEART DISEASE

Pulmonary heart disease or cor pulmonale is a heart condition that results from increased blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), which results in enlargement and failure of the right side of the heart. Here, the arteries in the lungs get blocked or destroyed.

Symptoms

Dyspnea.
Syncope.
Chest pain.
Cyanosis - bluish discoloration of the skin.
Palpitations.
Tiredness.

CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS

Any irregularity in the heartbeat is called cardiac arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can be caused due to bradycardia, tachycardia, flutter or fibrillation, or premature contraction. It occurs when the electrical impulses to the heart that regulates beating do not function properly. The different types of arrhythmias are:

Atrial fibrillation.
Atrial flutter.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
Ventricular tachycardia.
Ventricular fibrillation.
Long QT syndrome.

Symptoms

Fast heartbeats (tachycardia).
Slow heartbeats (bradycardia).
Dizziness.
Syncope.
Shortness of breath.
Palpitations.
Sudden weakness.
Sweating.

HEART INFECTIONS

Heart infections occur when bacteria or virus or parasite or other chemical reaches the heart muscles and causes inflammation or damage to the heart linings. The types of heart infections are:

Pericarditis - It is the inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the heart.
Endocarditis - Inflammation of the inner lining or heart valve is called endocarditis.
Myocarditis - Inflammation of the heart muscles due to a viral infection or autoimmune response.

Symptoms

Shortness of breath.
Fever.
Red spots under the fingernails.
Purple or red spots on the skin, eyes, and mouth.
Joint and muscle pain.
Blood in urine.
Palpitations.

VALVULAR HEART DISEASE

Diseases of the heart valves occur when one or more valves of the heart do not function properly. The heart has four main valves, namely mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves, which help the blood flow in the correct direction in the heart. The problems include:

Regurgitation - Here the valve does not close properly, as a result, blood flows backward.
Stenosis - The valve becomes thick or stiff, causing narrowing of the valve opening.
Atresia - In this condition, the valve is not formed.

Symptoms

Heart murmur.
Fatigue.
Dyspnea.
Heart arrhythmias.
Dizziness.
Ankle and feet swelling.

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Heart abnormalities present at birth are called congenital heart diseases. It can cause defects in either the heart walls or heart valves or blood vessels. The most common congenital heart diseases are:

Ventricular septal defect.
Atrial septal defect.
Tetralogy of Fallot.
Single ventricle defects.
Pulmonary valve stenosis.
Patent ductus arteriosus.
Aortic valve stenosis.

Symptoms

Bluish or grayish discoloration of the skin (cyanosis).
Rapid and difficulty breathing.
Poor weight gain.
Swelling in legs, abdomen, and surrounding the eyes.

RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Rheumatic heart disease is caused when rheumatic fever results in the thickening or stenosis of one or more heart valves.

Symptoms

Heart murmur.
Chest pain.
Breathlessness.
Tiredness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Are Some Common Heart Problems?

Some common heart problems and heart diseases are -
- Coronary Artery Disease - Blood vessels of the heart are damaged.
- Heart Attack - Blockage in the blood flow to the heart.
- Arrhythmia - Irregular heart rhythm and heart rate.
- Stroke - Blocked blood supply and damage to the brain.

2. What Are the Warning Signs of Heart Problems?

Here are some warning signs of heart problems -
- Increased heart rate and palpitations (strong irregular heartbeat that causes severe distress).
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Chest discomfort.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Frequent chest pains and neck and jaw pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Edema or ankle swelling.

3. What Can Be Mistaken for Heart Problems?

- Vaping-induced lung injury.
- Heartburn.
- Lung diseases.
- Muscle strain.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Generalized anxiety disorder.
- Panic disorder.
- Chest injury.
These are some of the conditions which can be mistaken for heart diseases.

4. How Can I Check My Heart at Home?

Various parameters at home can monitor heart health -
- Measuring Heart Rate - In healthy conditions, the heart rate should range from 72 to 80 beats per minute.
- Measuring Blood Pressure - Blood pressure is around 120/80 millimeters of mercury in healthy conditions.
- Stair Test - If a person takes one-and-a-half minutes to ascend four flights of stairs, heart health may be compromised and need immediate attention.
- Shortness of Breath on any aerobic exercise may indicate compromised heart health. Look for these signs and symptoms, which may indicate compromised heart health.

5. What Is the Most Serious Heart Condition?

The most serious heart condition is a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, which means a blockage in the blood supply to the heart. This occurs mostly due to blood clots or fatty depositions of triglycerides in the blood vessels supplying the heart. Due to this, the heart is devoid of blood and oxygen supply. This can cause severe chest pain and discomfort, and shortness of breath, leading to death.

6. What Does a Blocked Artery Feel Like?

Signs and symptoms of the blocked artery (myocardial infarction or heart attack) include crushing chest pain or tightness, extreme pressure, shoulder or arm pain, difficulty in breathing, and perspiration (sweating). Women may experience slightly different symptoms, such as jaw pain radiating to neck pain, upper back pain, constant vomiting, nausea, and extreme tiredness and fatigue. Some heart attacks may be asymptomatic and may not cause noticeable signs or symptoms.

7. Can Blood Test Detect Heart Problems?

Yes, blood tests can detect heart diseases and even indicate the severity of heart diseases.
- High cholesterol levels - High HDL and LDL levels (high or low-density lipoproteins) increase the risk of heart problems.
- High CRP levels (C-reactive protein is a protein in the liver that is released in response to infection, inflammation, or any traumatic injury).
- High levels of lipoprotein may also indicate heart disease.
- High levels of ceramides - Body cells release ceramides that play a role in the growth, function, and ultimately death of many types of tissue. These levels may rise in case of damaged heart tissues.
- High levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)- High levels of BNP are released into the bloodstream when the heart is damaged. BNP is released as a response to try to ease the strain on the heart.
- Increased troponin T levels - In cases where there are no symptoms of a compromised heart, increased troponin T may indicate underlying heart conditions.

8. Can an ECG Detect a Blocked Artery?

ECG can be used to detect blocked arteries, as the test can detect irregularities in heart rhythm and impaired blood flow to the heart. However, ECG may appear normal if the heart's electrical activity is not affected due to minor blocks or blocked arteries further away from the heart. However, ECG may appear normal if the heart's electrical activity is not affected due to minor blocks or blocked arteries further away from the heart.

9. What Will a Cardiologist Do in the First Consultation?

A cardiologist will
- Make a note of the patient's health history and family history.
- Note down the signs and symptoms.
- Check the vitals (heart rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, and temperature).
- May ask one to get blood and urine samples checked.
- May prescribe further investigations.
- Prescribe medications if needed.
- Provide precautionary measures to prevent heart diseases.

10. Does Heart Failure Make One Feel Cold?

Congestive heart failure is often associated with feeling cold. It is one of the classical signs of heart disease. This is because of reduced cardiac output (the heart becomes less able to pump blood effectively), and the blood cannot reach different body parts, especially the extremities like hands and legs. Due to this, the person starts feeling cold and clammy on their palms and feet. Most people also believe a person who is more prone to feeling cold at all times may be at a higher risk of heart disease.

11. Can a Chest X-ray Show Heart Blockage?

A chest x-ray captures images of the bones, organs, and structures inside the chest, including the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. A chest x-ray can indicate signs of heart failure and blockage. However, different investigations like stress tests, cardiac pet scans, and coronary angiograms are required to confirm the diagnosis of heart blockages.

12. How Long Can One Live With Blocked Arteries?

The lifespan of an individual living with blocked arteries is unpredictable. It depends on the percentage of blockage and the severity of other underlying factors like the presence of diseases like diabetes and other environmental and dietary factors like lack of exercise and high cholesterol levels. A person may be able to live longer if the right precautionary measures are taken.

13. Where Is Heart Pain Felt in Women?

Women often experience slightly different symptoms other than the usual ones, like chest pain and arm pain. They also experience shortness of breath, nausea, neck and back pain, or jaw pain. Chest pain is mostly due to bacterial infections, viral infections, and other diseases, or simply acute anxiety and discomfort in the upper left chest area due to abdominal pressure or gas.

Last reviewed at:
03 Feb 2023 - 6 min read

RATING

Give your rating

❤ 15