Heart Health: 5 Common Heart Conditions That You Need to Know About

Did you know that 1 in 4 deaths in America is caused by heart disease?

Although most people don’t worry about heart health until they’re older, anyone can experience heart condition symptoms at any age. This is why it’s crucial to adopt a healthy lifestyle at a young age to prevent serious issues.

Have you ever wondered if you have a strong heart? Keep reading to learn about 5 common heart conditions so you can stay in tune with your body better.

1. Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is a condition that causes the blood vessels to harden and get clogged. As a result, our vital organs are deprived of oxygen and other nutrients they need to survive. Coronary artery disease that’s left untreated will eventually lead to a heart attack or heart failure.

The best way to prevent coronary artery disease is to focus on maintaining a healthy weight and participating in cardiovascular activities several times a week to keep your heart strong.

2. Arrhythmia

The simple definition of arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat. There are four types of arrhythmias: atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia, and premature contractions. All of these conditions are fairly easy to detect when your doctor listens to your heart with a stethoscope.

You can learn more about having afib here to understand the warning signs.

3. Congenital Heart Conditions

Many heart conditions are caused by poor lifestyle choices, but some people are born with heart defects. Congenital heart conditions is the umbrella term for a wide range of issues that can occur when a baby is growing in the womb. Some problems could involve the heart’s size or faulty valves that can require surgery to save the child’s life.

4. Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle is stretched and weakened. This condition makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood efficiently, which means other issues like heart attacks become a higher risk. Cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease, so you should always visit your doctor every year for a checkup so they can catch issues like this in the early stages.

5. Aortic Aneurysms

The aorta is one of the most important parts of the heart because it helps to transport blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Sometimes the aorta can grow or develop irregularities that can lead to an aneurysm.

If you’re unfamiliar with aneurysms, they can occur anywhere throughout the body. Aneurysms are dangerous because they can pop, and if this happens, the clotting can travel to the heart and cause a heart attack or even travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Now You Know Which Common Heart Conditions to Look Out for

Learning about the most common heart conditions is important for staying safe throughout your lifetime. Once you know what to look out for, you can monitor yourself for symptoms and stay in touch with your doctor.

Are you ready to adopt a healthier lifestyle? Don’t forget to explore the rest of our blog to find more helpful wellness guides.