Heart, section through the middle - Hartford, Connecticut CT

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Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view

Coronary artery blockage

Heart disease

Definition:

Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. The most common cause of heart disease is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart itself. This happens slowly over time. (See coronary artery disease.)

Some heart diseases can be present at birth (congenital heart diseases).

Other causes include the following:

Hypertension
Abnormal function of the heart valves
Abnormal electrical rhythm of the heart
Weakening of the heart's pumping function caused by infection or toxins

Various forms of heart disease include:

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Aortic regurgitation
Aortic stenosis
Arrhythmias
Cardiogenic shock
Congenital heart disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Endocarditis
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
Heart failure
Heart tumor
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Idiopathic cardiomyopathy
Ischemic cardiomyopathy
Acute mitral regurgitation
Chronic mitral regurgitation
Mitral stenosis
Mitral valve prolapse
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Pulmonary stenosis
Stable angina
Unstable angina
Tricuspid regurgitation

See also chest pain.

Alternative Names: Cardiovascular disorders

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Symptoms:

Signs and tests:

Treatment:

Support Groups:

Expectations (prognosis):

Complications:

Calling your health care provider:

Prevention:

Review Date: 11/22/2004
Reviewed By: Fabian Arnaldo, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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