Heart disease: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Heart disease

MedlinePlus Topics

Images

Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view

Coronary artery blockage

Patient Instructions

Being active when you have heart disease

Butter, margarine, and cooking oils

Cardiac catheterization - discharge

Cholesterol and lifestyle

Foot amputation - discharge

Heart failure - what to ask your doctor

High blood pressure - what to ask your doctor

Leg amputation - discharge

Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. Various forms of heart disease include:

Causes

The most common cause of heart disease is a narrowing of or blockage in the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle (coronary artery disease). Some heart diseases are present at birth (congenital heart disease).

Other causes include:

Abnormal heart rhythm
Abnormal heart valve function
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Weakening of the heart's pumping ability, often caused by infection or toxins (cardiomyopathy)

Alternative Names

Cardiovascular disorders

References

Criqui MH. Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 49.

Update Date: 10/5/2008

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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