Risk factors for developing heart disease

Risk factors for developing heart disease include: Age. Aging increases your risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and weakened or thickened heart muscle. Sex. Men are generally at greater risk of heart disease. However, women’s risk increases after menopause. Family history. A family history of heart disease increases your risk …

Complications of heart disease

Complications of heart disease Complications of heart disease include: Heart failure. One of the most common complications of heart disease, heart failure occurs when your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. Heart failure can result from many forms of heart disease, including heart defects, cardiovascular disease, …

Heart disease symptoms caused by valvular heart disease

The heart has four valves — the aortic, mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid valves — that open and close to direct blood flow through your heart. Valves may be damaged by a variety of conditions leading to narrowing (stenosis), leaking (regurgitation or insufficiency) or improper closing (prolapse). Depending on which valve …

Heart disease symptoms caused by heart infections

There are three types of heart infections: Pericarditis, which affects the tissue surrounding the heart (pericardium) Myocarditis, which affects the muscular middle layer of the walls of the heart (myocardium) Endocarditis, which affects the inner membrane that separates the chambers and valves of the heart (endocardium) Varying slightly with each …

Heart disease symptoms caused by weak heart muscle (dilated cardiomyopathy)

Cardiomyopathy is the thickening and stiffening of heart muscle. In early stages of cardiomyopathy, you may have no symptoms. As the condition worsens, symptoms may include: Breathlessness with exertion or at rest Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet Fatigue Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering Dizziness, lightheadedness …

Heart disease symptoms caused by heart defects

Serious congenital heart defects — defects you’re born with — usually become evident soon after birth. Heart defect symptoms in children could include: Pale gray or blue skin color (cyanosis) Swelling in the legs, abdomen or areas around the eyes In an infant, shortness of breath during feedings, leading to …

Heart disease symptoms caused by abnormal heartbeats (heart arrhythmias)

A heart arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat. Your heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. Heart arrhythmia symptoms can include: Fluttering in your chest Racing heartbeat (tachycardia) Slow heartbeat (bradycardia) Chest pain or discomfort Shortness of breath Lightheadedness Dizziness Fainting (syncope) or near fainting

Symptoms of heart disease in your blood vessels (atherosclerotic disease)

Cardiovascular disease is caused by narrowed, blocked or stiffened blood vessels that prevent your heart, brain or other parts of your body from receiving enough blood. Cardiovascular disease symptoms may be different for men and women. For instance, men are more likely to have chest pain; women are more likely …