February Wellness Spotlight

Disease

What it is

Causes

Symptoms

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

• The most common type of heart disease
• Responsible for 382,820 deaths in 2020
• May get blockages in coronary arteries, leading to decreased blood flow to the heart

• Cholesterol deposits (plaque) in the heart, also called atherosclerosis
  • This reduces blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body

• Chest pain
• Chest tightness
• Chest pressure
• Chest discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back
• Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms

Heart Arrhythmias

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Dizziness
• Fainting or near fainting
• Fluttering in the chest
• Lightheadedness
• Racing heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Shortness of breath
• Slow heartbeat (bradycardia)

Heart Failure

• Usually caused by CAD
• Other reasons include:
  • Thyroid disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
  • Other conditions

• Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus
• Swelling of the abdomen

Heart Valve Disease

• We have 4 valves in our hearts that open and close to direct the flow of blood
• An abnormality in these valves could make it difficult for a valve to open and close properly
  • From this, blood flow could be blocked or blood can leak

• Rheumatic fever
• Congenital heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Heart attacks

• Chest pain
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen feet or ankles

Pericardial Disease

• The pericardium is the membrane that encloses the heart in the chest
• Some common pericardial diseases include:
  • Pericarditis
  • Inflammation to the pericardium

• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Injury to the pericardium

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Discomfort when breathing or lying down
• Chest pain, usually behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest
• Chest fullness
• Lightheadedness or feeling faint
• Swelling in the abdomen or legs

Cardiomyopathy (Heart Muscle Disease)

• The disease of the heart muscle, or myocardium
• When the muscle gets stretched, thickened, or stiff
• May cause weakness of the muscle, resulting in the heart not being able to pump blood as well

• In many cases, doctors cannot determine the exact cause
• Genetic heart conditions
• Reactions to certain drugs or toxins (i.e. alcohol)
• Infection from a virus

• Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting
• Fatigue
• Feeling short of breath during activity or rest
• Feeling short of breath at night when trying to sleep or waking up short of breath
• Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding, or fluttering
• Swollen legs, ankles, or feet

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

• An abnormality in the heart that develops before birth
• One of the most common types of birth defects
• Can lead to problems right after birth or there may not be symptoms until adulthood

• Researchers are not sure what causes most types of CHD
• Some are genetic
• Rubella during pregnancy
• Drinking alcohol or smoking during pregnancy
• Having T1 or T2 diabetes while pregnant

• Symptoms in children
  • Pale grey or blue skin or lips (cyanosis)
  • Swelling in the legs, belly area or areas around the eyes
  • Infants: shortness of breath during feedings, leading to poor weight gain
• Symptoms later in childhood or adulthood
  • Easily getting short of breath during exercise or activity
  • Easily tiring during exercise or activity
  • Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet