February is American Heart Month! Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women? Coronary disease is the most common, but here are some more examples of cardiovascular conditions:
- Rheumatic heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease is caused by one or more attacks of rheumatic fever, which does damage to the heart, particularly the valves. Some examples of this are:
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Valvular heart disease
- Hypertensive heart disease
High blood pressure caused by primary or secondary hypertension may overburden the heart and blood vessels and cause disease. Here are some examples:
- Aneurysm
- Atherosclerosis
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Ischemic heart disease
This is caused by the narrowing of coronary arteries, which decreases the blood supply to the heart. Examples are:
- Angina
- Atherosclerosis
- Coronary artery disease
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart attack
- Cerebrovascular heart disease
This disease pertains to the blood vessels in the brain, and is the result is decreased blood supple in parts the brain. Some examples are:
- Atherosclerosis
- Cerebral vascular disease
- Stroke
- Transient ischemic attacks
- Inflammatory heart disease
Inflammation of the heart muscle, membrane sac or inner lining of the heart, which could be caused by toxic or infectious agents. Here are some examples:
- Atherosclerosis
- Cardiomyopathy
- Pericardial disease
- Valvular heart disease
There are also other heart conditions, such as congenital heart disease and heart failure. Be sure to consult with your doctor to find out if you are at risk and how to lower your risk!