Various Heart Disease Types and Causes: What You Need to Know

Heart disease: types and causes

In Western countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, heart disease and cardiovascular disease account for an estimated 50% of deaths in individuals under the age of 65. Cancer follows at 20%, accidents account for 4%, and other infectious diseases contribute to the remaining 26%.

Due to the lack of specific statistics in developing countries like India, it is difficult to accurately calculate the number of deaths resulting from heart diseases. Nonetheless, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is also increasing. Research indicates that the urban population has a fourfold higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases compared to the rural population.

Types of Heart Disease

1. Congenital heart defects (Congenital malformations).

2. Blood vessel diseases (Vascular diseases).

3. Coronary heart diseases (Diseases of the heart).

4. Heart rhythm disorders (Heart defects).

5. Heart valve diseases (Heart palpitations).

6. Myocardial diseases (Diseases of the myocardium).

7. Pericardial and endocardial diseases (Cardiovascular diseases).

Causes

Congenital Heart Defects

Among children aged 5 to 15, the incidence of congenital heart defects is approximately 3 per 1,000. The primary cause is heredity. Additionally, if a pregnant woman is infected with the German measles virus during the first eight weeks of pregnancy, it may lead to congenital heart defects in the baby. Certain medications that affect the pregnant individual can also result in congenital heart disease in the newborn.

Blood Vessel Diseases

Diseases such as peripheral arterial disease, aortic diseases, venous thrombosis, and pulmonary thrombosis affect the blood vessels. Contributing factors include lifestyle choices, smoking, and dietary habits.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases include heart attacks and strokes. These occur when blood flow to the heart decreases due to narrowing and clogging of the arteries, leading to conditions such as angina pectoris, also known as myocardial ischemia.

A heart attack, referred to as myocardial infarction, happens when one of the three main arteries of the heart becomes blocked, cutting off blood flow to the heart muscle. Atherosclerosis, or the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, is the underlying cause of these conditions.

Stages of Fat Deposition in Arteries

The accumulation of cholesterol in the heart’s arteries occurs in several stages:

1. Initiation of Lipid Deposition: White blood cells called monocytes in the lining of the coronary artery absorb low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from the blood, forming foam cells.

2. Separation of Fat: As new foam cells accumulate, older foam cells are destroyed, leaving behind the fat.

3. Penetration of Muscle Cells: Muscle cells in the blood vessel wall begin to move toward the fatty deposits, resulting in damage to the middle wall of the artery.

4. Formation of a Blood Clot: The changes that have occurred lead to clot formation, which can obstruct blood flow.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

The following factors contribute to the development of heart disease:

– Age

– Gender

– Family history

– Smoking

– High blood pressure

– Lack of physical activity

– Diabetes

By addressing these risk factors, individuals can help reduce the likelihood of developing heart-related health issues.

10. The body temperature decreases, and at the same time, the inner wall of the artery may split due to the impact from the middle wall. This can result in a blood clot completely blocking the artery. Additionally, a tumor might move from its original location, travel through the bloodstream, and cause a blockage in another narrowed area of the blood vessel.

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Heart disease affects individuals differently. Some may experience it slowly, while others may face rapid onset. Several risk factors contribute to heart failure by leading to cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels, thereby reducing the blood supply needed by the heart.

These risk factors include:

1. Age: The risk of heart disease increases with age. As we grow older, our blood vessels become thinner, narrower, and more susceptible to conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which are foundational to cardiovascular diseases.

2. Gender: Heart disease is more common in men than in women, but the risk for women increases after menopause. Women produce a hormone called estrogen, which helps regulate cholesterol levels in the blood. It reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which can lead to cardiovascular diseases, and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is beneficial for heart health. This protective effect diminishes after menopause due to a decrease in estrogen levels, making postmenopausal women more vulnerable to heart issues.