by Anne Brodgesell

Created on: April 04, 2009   Last Updated: April 08, 2009

Heart disease has long been one of the leading causes of premature death but in recent years, the number of heart related deaths has decreased. With new heart drugs on the market and the knowledge that preventing heart disease is within our control, the number of deaths caused by heart disease will continue to decline. Educating yourself and knowing how to treat or prevent it gives you a powerful weapon in the battle against heart disease.

Types of heart disease and their symptoms

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Angina

Arrhythmia

Atrial fibrillation

Cardiomyopathy

Congenital heart disease

Congestive heart failure

Heart attack

Pericarditis

Valve disorders

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when blood vessels in your heart become blocked or narrow which prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching your heart.

Symptoms

Shortness of breath

Palpitations (irregular heart beats)

Faster heartbeat

Nausea

Sweating or dizziness

A heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI) is when your heart is not able to pump blood through the body as it should. Symptoms are very similar to that of CAD.

Symptoms

Heaviness

Pressure or pain in the chest, arm

Shortness of breath

Fullness

Indigestion

Sweating

Nausea

Dizziness

Anxi ety, denial or fear

Rapid or irregular heartbeats

Women's symptoms

Loss of Appetite

Feeling tired or weak

Coughing

Heart flutters

It is important to note that people can be having a heart attack but have no symptoms. This is called a silent MI but it is more prevalent among diabetics. If you think you are having a heart attack, PHONE 911 IMMEDIATELY.

Arrhythmia symptoms

Palpitations

Pounding in your chest

Dizziness or light-headed

Fainting

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Fatigue

Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia

Heart Valve disease

Weakness or dizziness

Pressure in your chest or shortness of breath when active

Palpitations

Swelling in your abdomen, feet or ankles

Quick weight gain

Heart Failure

Shortness of breath during exercise or at rest

Cough that produces a white mucus

Quick weight gain

Fatigue

Nausea, palpitations, chest pain

Swelling in ankles

Note: You can have severe heart damage but no symptoms

Congenital heart disease

Symptoms of heart failure

Shortness of breath with exercise

Bluish tint to fingernails, lips and skin (children)

Poor weight gain (children)

Lung infections (children)

Pericarditis

Sharp chest pain in centre of chest

Pain radiating to neck, arms and back

Sitting forward brings relief

Coughing, and deep breaths make the pain worse

Low grade fever

Increased heart rate

As many of the symptoms related to heart

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