More about Cardiovascular / Heart Disease / Pericarditis

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source. In the United States, 1 in every 4 deaths in is the result of a heart disease. That’s about 610,000 people who die from the condition each year. Heart disease doesn’t discriminate. It’s the leading cause of death for several populations, including white people, Hispanics, and Black people. Almost half of Americans are at risk for heart disease, and the numbers are rising. Learn more about the increase in heart disease rates. While heart disease can be deadly, it’s also preventable in most people. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits early, you can potentially live longer with a healthier heart.

Types

Heart disease encompasses a wide range of cardiovascular problems. Several diseases and conditions fall under the umbrella of heart disease. Types of heart disease include: Arrhythmia – An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm abnormality. Atherosclerosis – Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries. Cardiomyopathy – This condition causes the heart’s muscles to harden or grow weak. Congenital heart defects – Congenital heart defects are heart irregularities that are present at birth. Coronary artery disease (CAD) – CAD is caused by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries. It’s sometimes called ischemic heart disease. Heart infections – Heart infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. The term cardiovascular disease may be used to refer to heart conditions that specifically affect the blood vessels.

Heart Murmers?

Heart Muscle Disease (Cardiomyopathy)?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Myocarditis

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy?

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium (the fibrous sac surrounding the heart). Symptoms typically include sudden onset of sharp chest pain, which may also be felt in the shoulders, neck, or back. The pain is typically less severe when sitting up and more severe when lying down or breathing deeply. Other symptoms of pericarditis can include fever, weakness, palpitations, and shortness of breath. The onset of symptoms can occasionally be gradual rather than sudden.

Causes
The cause of pericarditis often remains unknown but is believed to be most often due to a viral infection. Other causes include bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, uremic pericarditis, heart attack, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and chest trauma. Diagnosis is based on the presence of chest pain, a pericardial rub, specific electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, and fluid around the heart. A heart attack may produce similar symptoms to pericarditis.

Treatment
Treatment in most cases is with NSAIDs and possibly the anti-inflammatory medication colchicine. Steroids may be used if these are not appropriate. Symptoms usually improve in a few days to weeks but can occasionally last months. Complications can include cardiac tamponade, myocarditis, and constrictive pericarditis. Pericarditis is an uncommon cause of chest pain. About 3 per 10,000 people are affected per year. Those most commonly affected are males between the ages of 20 and 50. Up to 30% of those affected have more than one episode.

Symptoms

Different types of heart disease may result in a variety of different symptoms. Arrhythmias – Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms. The symptoms you experience may depend on the type of arrhythmia you have — heartbeats that are too fast or too slow. Atherosclerosis – Atherosclerosis reduces blood supply to your extremities. In addition to chest pain and shortness of breath. Congenital heart defects – Congenital heart defects are heart problems that develop when a fetus is growing. Some heart defects are never diagnosed. Coronary artery disease (CAD) – CAD is plaque buildup in the arteries that move oxygen-rich blood through the heart and lungs. Cardiomyopathy – Cardiomyopathy is a disease that causes the muscles of the heart to grow larger and turn rigid, thick, or weak. Heart infections – The term heart infection may be used to describe conditions such as endocarditis or myocarditis. What are the symptoms of heart disease in women? Women often experience different signs and symptoms of heart disease than men, specifically with regards to CAD and other cardiovascular diseases. In fact, a 2003 study looked at the symptoms most often seen in women who’d experienced a heart attack. The top symptoms didn’t include “classic” heart attack symptoms such as chest pain and tingling. Instead, the study reported that women were more likely to say they experienced anxiety, sleep disturbances, and unusual or unexplained fatigue. What’s more, 80 percent of the women in the study reported experiencing these symptoms for at least one month before their heart attack occurred. Symptoms of heart disease in women can also be confused with other conditions, such as depression, menopause, and anxiety.