Heart disease is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the heart and its parts, like heart valves, chambers, chamber walls, muscles, and major arteries. Here, the problem typically lies in the structure or function of the heart. Today advances in screening technology and treatment can help bring down the risk of further complications when dealing with heart diseases. Here is a look at common types of heart diseases and their treatment options:

1. Coronary heart disease
This is the most common type of heart disease. It develops due to plaque buildup in the arteries supplying blood to the heart. The plaque narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow, so the heart gets less oxygen and nutrients, leading to arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) or heart failure. Medication, lifestyle changes, and better eating habits can help manage coronary heart disease. Further, surgery could be recommended to open up the arteries.

2. Aortic stenosis
Here, the pulmonary valve, which manages and regulates the flow of oxygen-rich blood into the lungs, can thicken or fuse and malfunction. This condition can be congenital or can develop later due to scarring or calcium deposits. Surgery is often the key management option here. It involves replacing the damaged valve with an artificial one.

3. Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat brought on by abnormal electric signals that make the heart beat too slow or too fast. A severe complication of this condition is stroke, so irregular heartbeat needs to be managed through surgery, medications, or implantable devices that help correct the heart rhythm.

4. Congenital heart disease
One is said to have congenital heart disease if they are born with defects in the heart, like a missing valve at birth, atypical heart valves, or a hole in the heart wall. Surgeries, catheterization, and heart transplants are common management options for this condition.

5. Cardiomyopathy
This condition is brought on by a weakened heart muscle, which makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood. The most common type of this condition is dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscles become thinner and unable to pump blood properly, potentially leading to clots and heart failure. Another type, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, makes the heart walls thicken. Prescription options, surgery, and device implants can help improve heartbeat and make the heart pump blood better. Rest, proper hydration, blood thinners, anticoagulants, surgery to remove a portion of the septal wall, septal ablation, and implants are a few other ways to manage the condition.

6. Mitral valve disease
The mitral valve is responsible for directing blood flow. If the flaps of the mitral valve do not close properly, the blood can leak or move backward, causing a heart murmur. Here, prescription treatment can help improve blood flow, whereas surgical corrections can improve valve function.

7. Myocardial infarction
Commonly known as a heart attack, myocardial infarction develops when the blood flow to the heart is interrupted due to a blood clot or the narrowing of the arteries. CPR, prescription treatment, surgery, and implantable devices are used to manage the condition.

8. Heart failure
Here, the heart is not functioning as required, so it is not pumping enough blood throughout the body. The condition is often caused by hypertension (high blood pressure) and other heart diseases. Those with heart failure may need lifelong treatment—prescription treatment, surgery, and the use of devices like pacemakers.