Cardiac Disorder
Cardiac disorder, often referred to as heart disease, encompasses a wide range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Understanding these conditions and knowing how to manage them can help you protect your heart and live a healthier life.
Table of contents
- What is cardiac disorder?
- Types of cardiac disorders
- Symptoms and warning signs
- Causes and risk factors
- How cardiac disorders are diagnosed
- Treatment options
- Prevention strategies
- Living with cardiac disorder
What is cardiac disorder?
The term “cardiac disorder” or “heart disease” refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels throughout your body[1]. These conditions can affect one or many parts of your heart and blood vessels, and a person may experience symptoms or may not feel anything at all[3].
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. In 2022, approximately 19.8 million people died from cardiovascular diseases globally, representing about 32% of all global deaths[7]. In the United States, 1 out of every 5 deaths is due to heart disease[2]. Almost half of adults in the United States have some form of heart disease[3].
When people talk about heart disease, they’re usually referring to coronary artery disease, which is the most common type. This condition affects the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle[5]. Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices[1].
Types of cardiac disorders
There are many different types of heart disease, each affecting the heart or blood vessels in different ways[14].
Coronary artery disease is the most common type and accounts for up to half of all heart disease cases[8]. This condition develops when a buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances, called plaque, narrows or blocks the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle[1]. The buildup of plaque in the arteries is called atherosclerosis. As plaque builds up, blood flow to the heart is reduced, which can lead to chest pain, heart attack, or heart failure[1].
Arrhythmias are problems with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. They occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate the heartbeat don’t work correctly, causing the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly[14].
Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart valves aren’t working properly. The valves may become too narrow (which slows blood flow) or may leak blood[3].
Heart failure happens when your heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. This doesn’t mean the heart has stopped working, but rather that it’s not working as well as it should[2].
Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle. In this condition, the heart muscle may become stretched and thin, or thick and stiff, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively[14].
Congenital heart defects are heart problems that are present at birth. These can affect how blood flows through the heart and may involve major structural issues[14].
Other types of cardiac disorders include peripheral artery disease (blockages in blood vessels of the arms and legs), cerebrovascular disease (problems with blood vessels supplying the brain, which can lead to stroke), and aortic disease (problems with the body’s largest blood vessel)[6][8].
Symptoms and warning signs
Heart disease symptoms vary depending on the type of condition you have[1]. Sometimes heart disease may be “silent” and not diagnosed until a person experiences more serious events like a heart attack[2]. Older adults and women may have more subtle symptoms, though they can still have serious heart disease[3].
Common symptoms of coronary artery disease can include chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, or chest discomfort (called angina). Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly, or back, and pain, numbness, weakness, or coldness in the legs or arms if blood vessels in those areas are narrowed[1].
When the heart muscle itself is having problems, symptoms may include chest pain or discomfort, chest pressure or heaviness (sometimes described as “a belt around the chest” or “a weight on the chest”), shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, and fatigue or exhaustion[3].
If blood vessels throughout the body are blocked, you might experience pain or cramps in your legs when you walk, leg sores that aren’t healing, cool or red skin on your legs, swelling in your legs, or numbness in your face or limbs[3].
Arrhythmias may cause fluttering feelings in the chest, which are called palpitations. You might also experience a pounding or racing heart, sweating, dizziness, or trouble sleeping[2][9].
Recognizing a heart attack
A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked, and part of the heart muscle may die if the person doesn’t get help quickly[24].
Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest (or a feeling of pressure, squeezing, or fullness), pain or discomfort in the upper body (like the arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper stomach), shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up, stomachache or heartburn-like feelings, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, feeling unusually tired, and breaking out in a cold sweat[24].
Not everyone who has a heart attack will have all these signs. Symptoms may come on suddenly, but sometimes they develop slowly over hours, days, or even weeks[24]. If you or someone else has signs of a heart attack, call emergency services (911 in the United States) right away. Don’t ignore any signs or feel embarrassed to call for help—acting fast can save a life[24].
Causes and risk factors
The causes of heart disease vary depending on the specific type. For example, atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries) causes coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. Problems with the heart muscle, genetic issues, or certain medications can cause arrhythmias. Aging, infections, and other diseases can cause valve problems[3].
The most important factors that increase your risk of developing heart disease include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking. About half of people in the United States have at least one of these three risk factors[2].
High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels, making them more likely to develop plaque buildup[6]. High cholesterol means too much fatty substance is in your blood, which can cause blood vessels to narrow and increase the risk of blood clots[6]. Smoking damages and tightens blood vessels[11].
Other medical conditions that raise your risk include diabetes (high blood sugar can damage blood vessels), chronic kidney disease, being overweight or having obesity, and having autoimmune or inflammatory diseases[2][9].
Lifestyle factors that increase heart disease risk include eating a diet high in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and salt; not getting enough physical activity; drinking too much alcohol; and experiencing too much stress[9].
You’re also at higher risk if you’re older, if you’re male, or if you have a family history of heart disease. Specifically, your risk is higher if you’re a woman over age 55, a man over age 45, or if close family members had heart disease at a young age[24]. Certain racial and ethnic groups, including Black people, White people, and American Indian/Alaska Native people, have higher rates of heart disease than others[5].
How cardiac disorders are diagnosed
To diagnose heart disease, a healthcare professional will examine you, listen to your heart, and ask questions about your symptoms and your personal and family medical history[10].
Many different tests are used to diagnose heart disease. Blood tests can check for proteins that leak into the blood after heart damage, measure cholesterol levels, check blood sugar levels, or look for signs of inflammation in the arteries[10].
A chest X-ray shows the condition of the lungs and can reveal if the heart is enlarged[10].
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a quick and painless test that records the electrical signals in the heart. It can show if the heart is beating too fast or too slow[10]. A Holter monitor is a portable ECG device that you wear for a day or more to record your heart’s activity during daily activities[10].
An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create detailed images of the heart in motion. It shows how blood moves through the heart and heart valves[10].
Exercise tests or stress tests often involve walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while the heart is checked. These tests reveal how the heart responds to physical activity and whether symptoms occur during exercise[10].
Cardiac catheterization is a test that can show blockages in the coronary arteries. During this procedure, a thin tube is threaded through a blood vessel to the heart[10].
Other imaging tests that may be used include computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, which create detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels[10].
Treatment options
Treatment for heart disease depends on how serious your symptoms are, what type of heart disease you have, and any other health conditions you have[11]. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medicines, procedures, or surgery[5].
Lifestyle changes
Your healthcare provider may recommend adopting lifelong heart-healthy lifestyle changes such as eating heart-healthy foods (including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting saturated fats, sodium, added sugars, and alcohol), being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, managing stress, and getting enough quality sleep[11][17].
Medicines
Many different medicines are used to treat heart disease. Usually they work by reducing blood pressure, widening your arteries, or preventing blood clots[12].
Blood-thinning medicines (such as low-dose aspirin, clopidogrel, and others) help reduce the risk of a heart attack by thinning your blood and preventing it from clotting[12].
Statins are cholesterol-lowering medicines that slow down the production of bad cholesterol in your liver, which makes a heart attack less likely[12].
Beta blockers work by slowing down your heartbeat and improving blood flow. They’re often used to treat chest pain and high blood pressure[12].
Nitrates work by relaxing your blood vessels, letting more blood pass through them. This lowers blood pressure and relieves heart pain[12].
ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow by affecting hormones that cause blood vessels to narrow[12].
Calcium channel blockers also decrease blood pressure by relaxing the muscles in artery walls, causing the arteries to widen[12].
Diuretics (sometimes called water pills) work by flushing excess water and salt from the body through urine[12].
Procedures and surgeries
Coronary angioplasty involves using a balloon to widen narrowed coronary arteries and then inserting a small metal mesh tube called a stent to keep the artery open[18].
Coronary artery bypass surgery relieves chest pain and improves blood flow to the heart by creating a new route around blocked arteries[18].
Heart valve repair or replacement surgery can fix valves that aren’t working properly[18].
Implantable devices such as pacemakers (which help control abnormal heart rhythms) or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs, which can detect dangerous heart rhythms and deliver shocks to restore normal rhythm) may be needed[18].
For people with severe heart failure, a mechanical assist device or heart transplant may be considered[18].
Cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or some types of heart surgery. The program includes physical activity, education about healthy eating and taking medicines, ways to help you quit smoking, and counseling to help relieve stress and improve mental health[2]. Studies show that cardiac rehabilitation lowers the risk of hospitalization and death and can improve your quality of life[21].
Prevention strategies
Many forms of heart disease can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyle habits and managing risk factors[1].
One of the best things you can do for your heart is to stop smoking or using tobacco. Even if you’re not a smoker, stay away from secondhand smoke. The risk of heart disease starts to drop in as little as a day after quitting, and after a year without cigarettes, the risk drops to about half that of a smoker[19].
Regular daily physical activity can lower your risk of heart disease. Physical activity helps control your weight and reduces the chances of getting other conditions that strain the heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Adults should aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily, while children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day[17][19].
Eating a heart-healthy diet is essential. Choose healthy meals and snacks that include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting processed foods. Eat foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and sugar. Limit alcohol consumption[17][19].
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on your heart and blood vessels. People who are overweight or have obesity have a higher risk for heart disease[17].
If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, work with your healthcare team to manage these conditions. Have your cholesterol checked at least once every 4 to 6 years, and have your blood pressure measured at least once every 2 years (or more often if you have high blood pressure or other risk factors)[17][23].
Getting enough quality sleep, managing stress, and getting recommended vaccines (such as the annual flu vaccine) are also important for protecting your heart[11][27].
Living with cardiac disorder
Understanding your condition and making healthy lifestyle changes can help you live well with heart disease[27].
It’s important to receive regular follow-up care. Attend scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider and take all medicines as prescribed. Don’t change the amount of medicine or skip doses unless your provider tells you to. Tell your provider about any over-the-counter medicines or supplements you take, and call if you develop new symptoms or if existing symptoms worsen[21].
Continue following heart-healthy lifestyle habits, including eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol, managing stress, and getting enough sleep[20][27].
Take an active role in your care. Learn about your heart condition and how lifestyle changes and medicines work together to help you feel better, stay out of the hospital, and live longer. Ask questions and speak up if something doesn’t feel right[25].
Know what warning signs to watch for and tell your care team about them. These can be early warnings that your heart condition may be getting worse. For example, watch for rapid weight gain, swelling (especially in the legs and ankles), increased shortness of breath or tiredness, coughing, or needing to sleep with extra pillows[25].
If you’re feeling lonely, isolated, worried, or depressed after being diagnosed with a heart condition, talk to your doctor and reach out to friends and family. Many people find support through cardiac rehabilitation programs or support groups[27].
Having heart failure shouldn’t prevent you from traveling or going on holiday, as long as you feel well enough and your condition is well controlled. Check with your doctor before you travel, and carry your medications in different places in case you lose one[22].
Be sure your primary care provider, cardiologist, and other specialists work together. Many people with heart disease live with multiple additional health conditions, so coordinated care is important[25].
