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Lifestyle, stress and genetics continue to be factors in the increasing threat of heart disease in women and men over the age of 40. The way a person choose to live their life determines the quality of that life. A sedentary lifestyle coupled with a high stress level has increased Coronary and Ischemic heart disease. Although congenital heart defects are created before birth, everyday life will determine how the flaws will influence the quality of life.

Coronary heart disease is created by a build up of fatty material called plague in the walls of the arteries. As the arteries narrow, the blood flow becomes restricted or blocked. This condition is called atherosclerosis. Blood clots usually form around the plague deposits, which further decreases the blood flow. When pieces of the plague or clotting breaks free, they move through the blood stream, eventually lodging in the lungs, heart or brain causing strokes, heart blockages or pulmonary embolisms. High risk include people with:
:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
High-fat diet
Obesity
History of heart disease
Smoking
lack of physical activity

Symptoms include both atypical and typical chest pain. Atypical pain is frequently a sharp twinge, which is in the left chest, abdomen, back, or arm. Women are more likely to suffer from atypical. Typical is a more compressing sensation; the feeling is more like someone was being hugged to tightly. The pain is more pronounced under the breast bone or sternum.

Often called the silent killer, Ischemic heart disease frequently doesn't present warning symptoms in the early stages. However, the later stages of the disease causes burning, heaviness or tightness in the chest that may radiate pain down the left arm. Since the symptoms can be easily over looked or explained away, the disease is frequently ignored until after the lack of blood has done permanent damage to the heart muscle

Ischemic has most of the same causes of Coronary heart disease; however personality type becomes an added factor. A-type personalities are more likely to affected as the additional stress they inflect on themselves affects their entire body.

Congenital heart disease is caused by a genetic defect or malformation in one or more structures of the heart or blood vessels. The most common defects are in the heart valves, in the walls between the atria and ventricles, and in the heart muscle itself. Although most congenital heart disease is diagnosed before birth or during childhood, some defects may be minor enough not to be an issue until adulthood when lifestyle and stress inflame the existing problem.

The symptoms of congenital heart disease in infants and children include Cyanosis, fast breathing, poor weight gain, lung infections, and exhaustion after moderate exercise. The more common warning signs in adult is shortness of breath and inability to reasonably exercise. Stress, poor eating habits and lack of exercise increase the frequency and severity of the symptoms.

The best cure for heart disease is preventative medicine by leading a balanced life with a low a stress level, healthy diet and regular exercise. Preventing the damage is always easier than repairing it. However, once the damage is done it can be healed with drug therapy, surgery and life style changes. As with all diagnosis and treatments, a medical professional will determine the best course of action for the individual based on the cause and the severity of the injury.

Learn more about this author, Theresa Chaze.
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