Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, encompasses a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is a broad term that includes coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias and valvular heart diseases, among others. Heart disease occurs when there is a disruption in the normal functioning of the heart, leading to reduced blood flow or impaired pumping ability. Common risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Understanding heart disease is essential because it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. At Bay Area Heart, we are dedicated to helping you prevent, manage and treat heart disease, ensuring your heart remains healthy and your quality of life is optimized.