Heart disease is a collective name for a variety of diseases affecting the performance of the heart. Here are the important examples of heart disease:
1. ANGINA - poor blood circulation to the heart
2. HEART ATTACK, part of the heart muscle dies
3. ARRHYTHMIA – abnormal rate or rhythm of the heart-beat
4. ATHEROSCLEROSIS - arteries harden. It is a build up of cholesterol and other fat substances within the walls of the arteries. Arteriosclerosis is a progressive disease and it can develop in any artery in the body.
5. RHEUMATIC - formerly one of the most severe forms of heart disease of childhood and adolescence. It involves damage to the entire heart and its membranes. It is a complication of rheumatic fever and is often experienced after attacks of rheumatic fever. The occurrence of this condition has been greatly decreased by common use of antibiotics effective against the streptococcal bacterium causing rheumatic fever.
6. MYOCARDITIS - the inflammation or degeneration of the heart muscle. It can be caused by a complication during or after various viral, bacterial, or parasitic infectious diseases, such as polio, influenza, rubella, or rheumatic fever.
This can also result from several illnesses such as syphilis, goiter, endocarditis, or hypertension. It may be connected with dilation (enlargement caused by weakness of the heart muscle) or with hypertrophy (overgrowth of the muscle tissue).
