Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. The most common cause of heart disease is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart itself. This happens slowly over time. (See coronary artery disease.)
Some heart diseases can be present at birth (congenital heart diseases).
Other causes include the following:
Hypertension
Abnormal function of the heart valves
Abnormal electrical rhythm of the heart
Weakening of the heart's pumping function caused by infection or toxins
Review Date: 11/22/2004
Reviewed By: Fabian Arnaldo, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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