Health Information

Health Encyclopedia
Health Encyclopedia

Heart disease

Heart, section through the middle
Heart, section through the middle
Heart, front view
Heart, front view
Coronary artery blockage
Coronary artery blockage

Definition

  

Alternative Names

  
Cardiovascular disorders

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

  

The most common cause of heart disease is a narrowing of or blockage in the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle itself (coronary artery disease). Some heart diseases are present at birth (congenital heart disease). Other causes include:

  • Hypertension
  • Abnormal heart valve function
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Weakening of the heart's pumping ability caused by infection or toxins

Symptoms

  


Signs and tests

  


Treatment

  


Support Groups

  


Expectations (prognosis)

  


Complications

  


Calling your health care provider

  


Prevention

  


 
Review Date: 11/6/2006
Reviewd By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Rate this article:
1 Excellent - 4 Poor
Send a Comment:
Type the characters you see in the picture
CAPTCHA code image
Speak the codeChange the code