Heart disease

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Heart disease

Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view

Coronary artery blockage

Definition:

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

Alternative Names:

Cardiovascular disorders

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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)
Cardiomyopathy - weakening of the heart's pumping ability, often caused by heart disease, viral infection, or toxins

References:

Goldman L. Approach to the patient with possible cardiovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 48.

Review Date: 11/14/2010
Reviewed 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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