Types of Heart Diseases:

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This is the most common type of heart disease,
characterized by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart
muscle.

Heart Failure: Also known as congestive heart failure, it occurs when the heart can't pump
blood effectively, leading to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body.

Arrhythmias: These are abnormal heart rhythms that can cause the heart to beat too fast, to
slow, or irregularly.

Valvular Heart Disease: Involves damage or malfunction of the heart valves, affecting
blood flow through the heart.

Cardiomyopathy: Refers to diseases of the heart muscle that can lead to enlargement,
thickening, or stiffening of the heart.

Congenital Heart Defects: These are heart problems that are present at birth, often due
to abnormal development of the heart during fetal growth.
Causes
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits
(atheroma) on the walls of the arteries around the heart (coronary arteries).
The build-up of atheroma makes the arteries narrower, restricting the flow of
blood to the heart muscle. This process is called atherosclerosis.
Your risk of developing atherosclerosis is significantly increased if you:
smoke
have high blood pressure (hypertension)
have high cholesterol
have high levels of lipoprotein
do not exercise regularly
have diabetes

Other risk factors for developing atherosclerosis

include:
being obese or overweight
having a family history of CHD – the risk is increased if you have a male relative

under the age of 55, or a female relative under 65, with CHD
Smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Both nicotine and
carbon monoxide (from the smoke) put a strain on the heart by making it work
faster. They also increase your risk of blood clots.
Other chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage the lining of your coronary
arteries, leading to furring of the arteries. Smoking significantly increases your
risk of developing heart disease.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) puts a strain on your heart and can lead to
CHD.
Blood Pressure UK have also produced a useful guide explaining high, low and
normal blood pressure readings.

High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat made by the liver from the saturated fat in your diet. It's
essential for healthy cells, but too much in the blood can lead to CHD.

High lipoprotein
Like cholesterol, lipoprotein, also known as LP, is a type of fat made by the liver.
It's a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.
The level of LP in your blood is inherited from your parents. It's not routinely
measured, but screening is recommended for people with a moderate or high
risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Heart UK has more information about high lipoprotein

Lack of regular exercise

If you're inactive, fatty deposits can build up in your arteries.
If the arteries that supply blood to your heart become blocked, it can lead to a
heart attack. If the arteries that supply blood to your brain are affected it can
cause a stroke.
Diabetes
A high blood sugar level may lead to diabetes, which can more than double
your risk of developing CHD.
Diabetes can lead to CHD because it may cause the lining of blood vessels to
become thicker, which can restrict blood flow.

Thrombosis
A thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein or artery.
If a thrombosis develops in a coronary artery it prevents the blood supply from
reaching the heart muscle. This usually leads to a heart attack.
ways to prevent heart disease
1. Don't smoke or use tobacco
One of the best things you can do for your heart is to stop smoking or
using smokeless tobacco. Even if you're not a smoker, be sure to avoid
secondhand smoke.

Chemicals in tobacco can damage the heart and blood vessels. Cigarette
smoke reduces the oxygen in the blood, which increases blood pressure
and heart rate because the heart has to work harder to supply enough
oxygen to the body and brain.

There's good news though. The risk of heart disease starts to drop in as
little as a day after quitting. After a year without cigarettes, the risk of
heart disease drops to about half that of a smoker. No matter how long
or how much you smoked, you'll start reaping rewards as soon as you
quit.
2. Get moving: Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity
daily
Regular, daily physical activity can lower the risk of heart disease.
Physical activity helps control your weight. It also reduces the chances of
developing other conditions that may put a strain on the heart, such as
high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
If you haven't been active for a while, you may need to slowly
work your way up to these goals, but in general, you should do
aim for at least:
150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic exercise, such as
walking at a brisk pace
75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, such as running
Two or more strength training sessions a week
Even shorter bouts of activity offer heart benefits, so if you can't meet
those guidelines, don't give up. Just five minutes of moving can help, and
activities such as gardening, housekeeping, taking the stairs and walking
the dog all count toward your total. You don't have to exercise
strenuously to achieve benefits, but you can see bigger benefits by
increasing the intensity, duration and frequency of your workouts.
3. Eat a heart-healthy diet
A healthy diet can help protect the heart, improve blood
pressure and cholesterol, and reduce the risk of type 2
diabetes. A heart-healthy eating plan includes:

•Vegetables and fruits

•Beans or other legumes
•Lean meats and fish
•Low-fat or fat-free dairy foods
•Whole grains
•Healthy fats, such as olive oil