What Is Heart Disease?

The term heart disease can refer to a number of diseases of the heart. Heart disease can involve a problem with the heart’s valves, electrical system, the heart muscle, or the blood vessels that feed the heart. Heart disease is a form of cardiovascular disease, which refers to various diseases of the heart or circulatory system (for example, stroke, high blood pressure, and blood vessel disorders).

The most common form of heart disease is coronary heart disease (CHD), often called coronary artery disease. In this disease, fat-like deposits called plaques build up and clog the vessels that supply the heart muscle with nutrients and oxygen. Blockage of these vessels can result in chest pain, heart attack, and possibly death. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep your heart as healthy as possible.