Bronchitis : Risk Factors

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 Various forms of heart disease include: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy Aortic regurgitation Aortic stenosis Arrhythmias Cardiogenic shock Congenital heart disease Coronary artery disease (CAD) Dilated cardiomyopathy Endocarditis Heart attack (myocardial infarction) Heart failure Heart tumor Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Idiopathic cardiomyopathy Ischemic cardiomyopathy Acute mitral regurgitation Chronic mitral regurgitation Mitral stenosis Mitral valve prolapse Peripartum cardiomyopathy Pulmonary stenosis Stable angina Unstable angina Tricuspid regurgitation See also chest pain .

The heart, which is about the size of a human fist, is the body ' s largest, strongest, and most important muscle. The heart continuously pumps blood through the body, helps regulate and prolong health, and controls the flow (circulation) of blood to the lungs, organs, muscles, and tissues in the body.

Heart disease is the narrowing or blockage of the arteries and vessels that provide oxygen and nutrient-rich This illustration shows hypertrophic muscle in the heart. The lesions are due to an incompetent aortic valve.

If you have diabetes, you are two to four times more likely to have heart disease than someone without diabetes. You can control your health risks by making some changes in your life.

An intimate relationship is built on being able to share feelings. The stress and worry of a heart attack or surgery can upset this closeness.

If you recently had a heart attack or heart surgery, you may be concerned about your love life. This is normal during an illness. But know that you can still enjoy sex. Here is information than can help you understand your feelings. It can also help you work with your partner to rebuild intimacy and enjoy sex again.

Some risk factors for heart disease are beyond your control, but others, such as smoking or high blood pressure, you can do something about.

A fever is a way for the body to fight infection. But it may also be a sign of a serious illness, especially in children younger than 3 months and children who haven't been immunized. Know when to seek medical care for your child.

Lung disease is any disease or disorder where lung function is impaired. There are three major physiologic categories of lung diseases: Obstructive lung disease -- a decrease in the exhaled air flow caused by a narrowing or blockage of the airways, such as with asthma , emphysema , and chronic bronchitis . Restrictive lung disease -- a decrease in the total volume of air that the lungs are able to hold. Often, this is due to a decrease in the elasticity of the lungs themselves or caused by a problem related to the expansion of the chest wall during inhalation. A defect in the ability of the lung's air sac tissue to move oxygen into a person's blood. Most lung diseases actually involve a combination of these categories, such as emphysema, which involves both airflow obstruction and oxygenation problems. Major lung diseases include: asthma BOOP chronic bronchitis COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) emphysema interstitial lung disease pulmonary fibrosis sarcoidosis Other lung diseases include: asbestosis aspergilloma aspergillosis aspergillosis - acute invasive atelectasis eosinophilic pneumonia lung cancer metastatic lung cancer necrotizing pneumonia pleural effusion pneumoconiosis pneumocystosis pneumonia pneumonia in immunodeficient patient pneumothorax pulmonary actinomycosis pulmonary alveolar proteinosis pulmonary anthrax pulmonary arteriovenous malformation pulmonary edema pulmonary embolus pulmonary histiocytosis X (eosinophilic granuloma) pulmonary hypertension pulmonary nocardiosis pulmonary tuberculosis pulmonary veno-occlusive disease rheumatoid lung disease This list is not complete. There are other lung diseases and disorders.

When you have COPD, you’re more likely to develop a lung infection (pneumonia) with a cold or the flu. To stay healthier, avoid contact with germs. Get prompt treatment at the first sign of illness.