Types of Cardiovascular Disease in Women

• Heart Attack or Ischemia – A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, happens when a part of the heart muscle doesn't get enough blood. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of heart attack.
• Coronary Artery disease – The most common type of heart disease in the United States and a leading cause of heart attacks it occurs when arteries become clogged with plaque and the heart cant get enough blood/ oxygen.
• Arrhythmia- These conditions such as Atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter are characterized by irregular heartbeat.
• Diseases of the Heart valve Common valve diseases include mitral valve prolapse, mitral regurgitation and aortic stenosis.
• Microvascular disease – This is caused by plaque in the small vessels that supply the heart muscle which causes angina MORE COMMON IN WOMEN THAN MEN.
• Cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure – These are conditions caused by the backup of fluid into the lungs due to improper functioning of the heart.
• Congenital heart defects – This term describes structural health problems present from birth. Examples include abnormally formed heart valves or holes in the septum which is the dividing wall between the right and left sides of the heart.
• Maternal heart diseases such as repaired congenital health malformation or coronary artery disease.