Heart Disease: Types, Early Signs, Symptoms, Prevention

Also Known as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

"Heart disease," or cardiovascular disease (CVD), is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Sometimes people are born with heart disease (known as congenital heart disease), while in others, it develops over time, as in coronary artery disease (CAD).

CVD is a leading cause of death in the United States, and coronary artery disease is estimated to affect 18.2 million American adults. In 2020, CVD accounted for 697,000—or 1 in 5–deaths.

It is important to know the early signs and symptoms of heart disease and how it can be prevented and treated. This article will explain the types of heart disease, signs and symptoms, treatment options, and best practices for preventing heart disease.

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Heart disease refers to several distinct heart and blood (cardiovascular) conditions. Types of CVD include the following:

The terms "heart disease" and "heart failure" are often confused. The key difference between the two is that heart failure—when the heart can't pump sufficient blood—is a type of heart disease. Heart disease refers to a broad range of cardiovascular diseases.

Heart disease represents a wide range of conditions, and its symptoms can vary; different types come with different signs. CVD can be asymptomatic, meaning many people live for months or years without symptoms. Often, the underlying issue is not identified until it starts causing complications.

The symptoms of heart attack, arrhythmia, and heart failure often include the following:

CVD presents differently based on sex. Researchers found if you're assigned female at birth and younger than 65, you're less likely to report chest pain.

If you experience any CVD symptoms, get emergency medical help. Heart attack can cause the heart to stop (cardiac arrest) and can become fatal without prompt treatment.

Since many people with CVD have the condition without knowing it, it can be crucial to identify the early warning signs. People may experience these warning signs for months before serious complications, such as heart attack, occur. Warning signs include:

For heart failure, troubling signs include:

Heart disease is caused by various factors depending on the type of heart disease.

Some people are born with structural problems with their heart and associated arteries, affecting the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

The most common cause of heart disease is atherosclerosis, which causes plaque buildup and hardened arterial walls. It develops gradually over time and eventually restricts blood flow due to narrowing arteries.

In some cases, people experience blood vessel problems. For instance, they may not respond to signals that the body needs more oxygen (such as during physical activity) and dilate as they should. Arteries of the heart can cause them to tighten or close up, a condition called vasospasm.

Various factors can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Certain populations and people with specific underlying diseases are at higher risk of developing heart disease.

Non-modifiable risk factors include:

Modifiable risk factors include:

Heart disease risk is also raised if you have any of the following diseases or conditions:

You can take steps to reduce your risk and prevent heart disease. Most involve modifying lifestyle factors, such as in the following ways, to improve your overall health:

A healthcare provider will assess your symptoms, take a medical history, and determine your risk factors of heart disease. A CVD diagnosis also based on the results of tests and imaging techniques.

Depending on your symptoms, a healthcare provider may use one or more of the following methods to diagnose and evaluate heart disease:

Treatment approaches to heart disease can involve lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery, depending on the type of heart disease you have.

Preventive measures for CVD are a significant component of standard treatment and may include:

Prescribed medications for heart disease focus on treating risk factors to prevent complications or reduce symptoms. Several classes are considered for CVD:

Some people with heart disease use various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches alongside standard therapies. These include:

Talk to a healthcare provider before implementing these approaches.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or angioplasty with stent placement, is a way for healthcare providers to treat CVD by way of the arteries and involves using a minimally invasive technique to access blockages or obstructions and open them up. After the procedure, a stent—a mesh support tube—is implanted to prevent the artery from closing.

During coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), or bypass surgery, a surgeon uses healthy vessels from the chest wall to reroute blood flow in the heart. The newly attached vessels bypass the blockage. This therapy is typically reserved for more severe or extensive cases.

When other surgeries for CVD are unsuccessful or not recommended, healthcare providers use myocardial revascularization to treat blood clots and blockages in the heart. Using lasers, these procedures create holes in the heart's walls to allow blood to move more easily from the left ventricle to the middle of the heart.

Managing heart disease can be challenging since it requires lifestyle changes and keeping up with medications and appointments. It's important to know where to find support and what you can do to help manage your condition. Here are some tips:

Complications like heart attacks are much more dangerous the second or third time they occur, so it's crucial to be proactive about managing heart disease. One wide-ranging review found that nearly 50% of people readmitted to the hospital with a second heart attack within 90 days of a first died within five years.

However, managing risk factors, implementing healthy lifestyle habits, and taking your medication as prescribed can help you reduce your risk of future cardiac events or complications.

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By Mark GurarieMark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University.