Heart disease refers to various types of conditions that can affect heart function.
These types include:
• Coronary artery (atherosclerotic) heart disease that affects the arteries to the heart
• Valvular heart disease that affects how the valves function to regulate blood flow in and out of the heart
• Cardiomyopathy that affects how the heart muscle squeezes
• Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) that affect the electrical conduction
• Heart infections where the heart has structural problems that develop before birth
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in the US.
Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle and coronary artery disease occurs when there is a buildup of cholesterol plaque inside the artery walls. Over time, this buildup of plaque may partially block the artery and decrease blood flow through it.
A heart attack occurs when a plaque ruptures and forms a clot in the artery causing a complete blockage. That part of the heart muscle that is denied blood supply starts to die.
Courtesy: Medicine Net