“When people talk about heart disease,
they’re usually talking about coronary heart disease (CHD).
It’s also sometimes called coronary artery disease (CAD)”.1

Umbrella
What may the Heart Disease Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cardiac Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Disease (CVD
  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  • Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
  • Heart Conditions
  • Heart Disease/s
  • Ischaemic/Ischemic Heart Disease

Terminology

Can heart disease mean different things to different people?

In Keep Your Heart Healthy – The Basics: What Is Heart Disease? the (United States) Healthfinder.gov explain:

“When people talk about heart disease, they’re usually talking about coronary heart disease (CHD). It’s also sometimes called coronary artery disease (CAD). This is the most common type of heart disease”.2

Heart Disease

What is heart disease?

DotS the definition of heart disease may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition is:

“The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack”.3

Coronary Heart Disease

What is coronary heart disease (CHD)?

DotS the definition of CHD may vary. In Coronary Heart Disease the (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) definition is:

“Coronary heart disease is a type of heart disease where the arteries of the heart cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart. It is the leading cause of death in the United States”.4

Types

What are different types of heart disease?

DotS different types of heart disease may include:

  • Aneurysm
  • Angina
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Cerebral Vascular Disease
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Coronary Artery Disease
  • Coronary Heart Disease
  • Heart Attack
  • Heart Failure
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Hypertension
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Pericardial Disease
  • Peripheral Vascular Disease
  • Rheumatic Disease
  • Sudden Death

Cause

What may cause heart disease?

In Coronary Heart Disease: What Is Coronary Heart Disease? the NHLBI explain:

“The cause of coronary heart disease depends on the type. Coronary artery disease is often caused by cholesterol, a waxy substance that builds up inside the lining of the coronary arteries forming plaque. This buildup can partially or totally block blood flow in the large arteries of the heart. Coronary microvascular disease happens when the heart’s tiny blood vessels do not work normally. For most people, coronary heart disease is preventable with a heart-healthy lifestyle”.5

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and heart disease?

Yes. In Menopause and Heart Disease the British Heart Foundation note:

“Before the menopause, women in general have a lower risk of being affected by coronary heart disease. But after the menopause, your risk increases”.6Heart Disease

Number One Killer

Is heart disease the number one killer of women?

Yes. In Heart Disease the the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov explain:

“Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. Some of the symptoms and risk factors for heart disease and heart attack are different for women than men. Your risk may also be different from other women. But every woman can take steps to prevent heart disease by knowing her risk factors and making healthy changes”.7

Know Your Numbers

What numbers do I need to know for a healthy heart?

In Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life Go Red for Women elaborate on:

“Talk to your healthcare provider today to learn about your Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and BMI (Body Mass Index). Your heart depends on it”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have heart disease or I have a family history of heart disease?

If you think you have heart disease or you have a family history of heart disease, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Coronary Heart Disease: Diagnosis – Screening for Coronary Heart Disease the NHLBI explain:

“To screen for coronary heart disease, your doctor will:

  • Assess risk factors to help evaluate your risk of developing coronary heart disease
  • Check blood pressure readings to see whether you have high blood pressure
  • Calculate your body mass index and waist circumference to see whether you have an unhealthy weight
  • Order blood tests to see whether you have high blood cholesterol, high blood triglycerides, or diabetes

Screening usually happens in a provider’s office, but sometimes screenings are done at health fairs, drugstores, or other places. Blood samples might be collected at the provider’s office, a hospital, or a laboratory.

Ask whether you need to fast (not eat or drink anything besides water) before the blood tests”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Heart Disease?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Heart Disease?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted above?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Keep Your Heart Healthy – The Basics: What Is Heart Disease? Content Last Updated: 11 April 2023. Healthfinder.gov https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/health-conditions/heart-health/keep-your-heart-healthy#panel-2 Accessed: 12 September 2023
  2. Keep Your Heart Healthy – The Basics: What Is Heart Disease? Content Last Updated: 11 April 2023. Healthfinder.gov https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/health-conditions/heart-health/keep-your-heart-healthy#panel-2 Accessed: 12 September 2023
  3. Heart Disease: About Heart Disease – What Is Heart Disease? Page Last Reviewed: 15 May 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm Accessed: 12 September 2023
  4. Coronary Heart Disease: What Is Coronary Heart Disease? Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/coronary-heart-disease Accessed: 12 September 2023
  5. Coronary Heart Disease: What Is Coronary Heart Disease? Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/coronary-heart-disease Accessed: 12 September 2023
  6. Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/living-with-a-heart-condition/menopause Accessed: 12 September 2023
  7. Heart Disease. Page Last Updated: 17 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/heart-disease-and-stroke/heart-disease Accessed: 12 September 2023
  8. Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life – Start By Knowing Your Numbers. Go Red for Women https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/know-your-numbers Accessed: 12 September 2023
  9. Coronary Heart Disease: Diagnosis – Screening for Coronary Heart Disease. Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease/diagnosis Accessed: 12 September 2023
Topic Last Updated: 03 November 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 September 2023

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