What it means
The leading cause of death in the US. The most common kind is coronary artery diseaseKOR-uh-nair-ee AR-tuh-ree dih-ZEEZNarrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.Full entry , in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the heart muscle. Others include heart failurehart FAYL-yerA long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.Full entry , heart rhythm problems, valve disease, heart muscle disease and heart defects present at birth. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, inactivity and family history.
For the nurse
Teach heart-healthy habits: not smoking, a diet low in saturated fat and salt, regular exercise, and control of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Teach clients to call emergency services for chest pain that does not go away.
At a glance
| Spanish | enfermedad cardíaca |
|---|---|
| Also written | heart diseases, cardiac disease |
Related terms
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
coronary artery disease
Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.
cardiology
The branch of medicine that studies and treats the heart and blood vessels.
low-density lipoprotein
A particle that carries cholesterol in the blood; its level is measured in a lipid panel and is often called "bad" cholesterol.