Stefania’s Disease
Disease of the heart’s arteries. Most cases of heart disease are related to the buildup of plaque in the arteries—that is, the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood. This condition, known as atherosclerosis (also known as hardening of the arteries), depends on risk factors. This “problematic” plaque consists of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood that cause localized inflammation. The American Heart Association compares this buildup to plumbing problems in buildings. Think of the buildup of material inside pipes, with the difference that in arteries, it forms not only on the walls but also inside them. Over time, the plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This restricts blood flow to your organs and other parts of your body. Eventually, this narrowing can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or even death.
Hypertension – High Blood Pressure
It is often called the “silent killer.” It is one of the main causes of many health problems and may go unnoticed, as it is rarely accompanied by symptoms. However, high blood pressure forces your heart to work much harder than it should to pump blood throughout your body. Over time, this pressure can lead to a heart attack, heart failure, or thickening of the heart muscle.
Congestive heart failure
A progressive disease in which the heart muscles as a whole are unable to pump enough blood to the body’s tissues and organs as they should. “In systolic heart failure,” the heart’s pumping and contraction function is impaired. Heart failure can also result from “impaired relaxation” during the diastolic phase.
Arrhythmias
Irregular heart rhythms (e.g., atrial fibrillation). These come in various forms and may occur when the electrical activity that regulates your heartbeat is disrupted. This may be caused by:
- hormonal imbalance
- myocardial infarction
- previous damage to heart tissue (e.g., from a previous heart attack)
- cardiac hypertrophy, in narrowed or blocked arteries
- high blood pressure
- smoking
- medications, drugs
- stress
- sleep apnea
- diabetes mellitus
- structural abnormalities of the heart.
Congenital Heart Diseases
Heart conditions caused by genetic factors that result in holes in the heart or other structural problems that affect the heart’s ability to pump blood. These abnormalities are usually detected early—sometimes even during the fetal stage—but can also be diagnosed later in life, typically in adulthood.