Heart disease is a term that refers to several types of cardiac conditions. Heart attacks are common and affect one person every 40 seconds. Overall, more than 800,000 adults have a heart attack with 1 in 5 going unnoticed. Awareness and lifestyle adjustments can reduce risk and encourage a healthy heart.
Common chronic heart disease conditions
“Chronic heart disease refers to any heart problem that is ongoing,” said Jay Ambrose, MD, FACC, an interventional cardiologist with DuBois Regional Cardiology Associates. “Chronic conditions are often progressive, meaning they may get worse over time.”
Common chronic heart diseases include:
- Coronary artery disease or ischemic heart disease is the narrowing of the major heart blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis, a waxy buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries.
- Arrhythmia is when the heart beats irregularly. It is a very common heart condition and may be self-limited and non-life threatening. However some arrhythmias can be very serious and may pose a serious risk.
- Congestive heart failure is a common condition that causes shortness of breath, swelling of the legs and fatigue. This condition is caused in part by the ineffective pumping action of the heart. Some of the common causes of congestive heart failure include: Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, heart valve disease, certain medications and genetic factors.
- Heart valve disease is when one or more of the four valves that control blood flow inside your heart are not working properly. Heart valve disease might be something you are born with or it can develop over time.
- Congenital heart disease is any abnormality of the structure of the heart that has been present since birth. Common congenital heart defects include heart valve disease, defective blood vessel development as well as holes in the heart, all of which can affect the proper circulation of blood.
- Stroke occurs when brain cells and tissues die suddenly due to a lack of blood supply. This can result in physical limitations, poor brain function and death.
- Heart muscle disease, also called cardiomyopathy, is a condition where the heart muscle becomes rigid or enlarged, making it difficult for the heart to pump properly. Heart muscle disease may lead to congestive heart failure. Pericardial disease, or pericarditis, is inflammation of the thin sac of tissue that surrounds the heart. It can be caused by viral infection, heart attack, trauma or a number of other conditions.
- Aortic disease refers to any type of condition that damages the body’s largest blood vessel, the aorta. It can lead to life-threatening bulges or tears in the blood vessel. Aortic disease is caused by high blood pressure, plaque buildup, trauma and genetic factors.
Coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease, develops over many years.
Some risk factors have been proven to play a major role in the buildup of plaque inside the
arteries. These include:
- High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
- Diabetes
- Older age
- Male sex
Family history of early heart disease
These “big three” factors — high LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking — are the strongest drivers of plaque formation in the arteries.
Other conditions can also increase risk, such as chronic inflammation, kidney disease, obesity, physical inactivity and certain pregnancy related or genetic factors. Some ethnic groups, including people of South Asian ancestry, may also have higher risk.
The good news is any of these risks can be improved. Lowering LDL cholesterol, controlling blood pressure, staying active, not smoking and managing diabetes all help protect the heart and slow the progression of disease.
Monitoring your heart health
Keeping an eye on your heart’s health is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent serious health problems. Many heart conditions develop slowly and quietly, which means regular screenings can help detect issues early—often before symptoms appear.
Your primary care provider may recommend one or more of the following:
- Blood pressure checks to look for high blood pressure, a major cause of heart disease and stroke
- Cholesterol testing to measure levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and other fats in your blood
- Blood glucose testing to screen for diabetes, which increases the risk of heart disease
- Atrial fibrillation screening to detect irregular heart rhythms that may raise stroke risk
- Peripheral vascular disease screening to assess blood flow in the legs
- Overall cardiovascular risk assessments that combine your age, health history, and lab results to estimate long-term risk
These tests help your healthcare team understand your personal risk and create a plan to keep your heart as healthy as possible. Even if you feel well, regular checkups are an important part of staying ahead of heart disease.
Treatment options for chronic heart disease
Being diagnosed with a chronic heart condition does not mean you can’t live a full and active life.
Many heart diseases can be managed effectively with the right combination of medical care, healthy habits and regular followup.
“Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be critical to managing a chronic heart condition,” said Ambrose. “A healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking, limiting alcohol use, managing stress and getting adequate sleep can all help improve your heart and overall health.”
Treatment plans are tailored for each person and may include:
- Medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rhythm, or symptoms such as swelling or shortness of breath
- Lifestyle changes that support heart health and reduce longterm risk
- Procedures or minimally invasive treatments to open blocked arteries, correct abnormal rhythms, or repair heart valves when needed
- Implantable devices, such as pacemakers or defibrillators, for certain rhythm or heart muscle conditions
- Cardiac rehabilitation, a supervised program that helps improve strength, stamina, and longterm heart health
Your primary care provider and cardiologist will work with you to monitor your condition and adjust your treatment over time. With early detection and ongoing care, many people with chronic heart disease continue to lead active, healthy lives.
