Cardiac disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the heart and its proper functioning. It is also commonly known as heart disease. The term "cardiac" relates to the heart, and "disease" refers to any abnormal condition or disorder.
Cardiac disease can involve various parts of the heart, including the blood vessels, the heart muscle, the valves, or the electrical system that controls the heartbeat. Some common types of cardiac disease include:
Coronary artery disease (CAD): This occurs when the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients (coronary arteries) become narrowed or blocked due to a buildup of fatty deposits called plaques. CAD can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attacks, or other serious complications.
Heart failure: It happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It can occur due to various underlying conditions, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart muscle damage, or heart valve problems.
Arrhythmias: These are abnormal heart rhythms. The heart may beat too slowly (bradycardia), too fast (tachycardia), or irregularly. Arrhythmias can cause symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting.
Valvular heart disease: This refers to conditions that affect the heart valves, which control the flow of blood through the heart chambers. Valvular heart disease can involve valve narrowing (stenosis) or valve leakage (regurgitation), leading to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, or fluid retention.
Congenital heart defects: These are structural abnormalities of the heart present at birth. They can affect the heart's walls, valves, or blood vessels. The severity and impact of congenital heart defects can vary widely.
Other types of cardiac diseases include cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), pericardial disease (conditions affecting the sac around the heart), and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).
It's important to note that cardiac disease is a broad term encompassing various conditions, and each type may have different causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches. Early detection, lifestyle modifications, medication, procedures, and surgery are some of the treatment options available for cardiac diseases, depending on the specific condition and its severity.