Heart Disease

Heart disease involves a number of conditions that can result in the slowing or weakening of the heart's blood-pumping functioning, which can lead to death. There are several different kinds of heart disease, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and heart arrhythmias. Coronary artery disease is the most common heart disease, where the arteries of the body become hard and narrow, most often leading to chest pain and tension (angina) or heart attacks. Heart failure occurs when the blood cannot pump normally through the body and reach cells in need of oxygen-rich blood. As the heart needs blood to function, it will stop if it receives insufficient amounts. Heart arrhythmia is a condition characterized by irregular heart beats. Healthy lifestyle changes and proper medications are important in treating heart disease.