Learn about the symptoms, causes, treatments and possible preventions
Heart disease is any condition that affects the normal functioning of the heart. These include heart defects from birth such as a hole in the heart (congenital heart defects), diseases affecting the heart muscle, blockages of the arteries to the heart (like coronary artery disease that causes heart attack), problems with the function of the heart valves, or heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). Heart disease is a type of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease describes a range of conditions that impact the heart and blood vessels throughout the body, leading to stroke, high blood pressure, kidney disease, impaired blood supply to the legs and other related disorders.
Cardiovascular disease is the umbrella term for all diseases affecting the heart or blood vessels. It is often used interchangeably with heart disease, however it's not the same thing. It's good to remember that while all heart diseases are also classed as cardiovascular diseases, not all cardiovascular diseases are heart conditions.
Heart disease symptoms and causes vary depending on the type of heart condition. Below, you’ll find a summary on common heart diseases including their causes, diagnosis, symptoms, potential treatments and the latest research underway to combat the disease.
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Gadigal of the Eora nation, on which we meet, work, and discover.
Our Western Australian laboratories pay their respect to the Whadjuk Noongar who remain as the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land.
