Heart Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Heart Disease?
A cardiologist, a doctor who treats heart disease, is the main specialist for this condition. Many people start with their health care provider, who can ask about symptoms and order heart tests. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is a general term for many types of heart problems. It is a type of cardiovascular disease, which means heart and blood vessel disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States.
Some types are present at birth. These are called congenital heart disease. Other types develop during your lifetime. The most common type is coronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease. Other types affect your heart valves or heart muscle. A disease of the heart muscle is called cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of heart disease. You may have no symptoms at first. Some people learn they have it only after a heart attack. Here are some possible symptoms.
- With a heart attack: chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme tiredness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- With an arrhythmia (a problem with your heart rate or rhythm): fluttering in the chest, called palpitations.
- With heart failure: shortness of breath, tiredness, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, belly, or neck veins.
Causes and who gets it
The causes depend on the type. Some possible causes are lifestyle, genes, infections, medicines, and other diseases.
In coronary artery disease, a sticky substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply your heart muscle with blood. The plaque narrows or blocks blood flow to the heart muscle.
Some risk factors can be changed and others cannot. Your risk goes up as you get older. A family history of early heart disease raises it too. High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors. Other risks include diabetes, obesity, an unhealthy diet, little exercise, and too much alcohol.
How doctors diagnose it
To find out if you have heart disease, your provider will ask about your medical history. They will ask about your family health history too. You will have a physical exam. You will likely have heart tests and blood tests.
For coronary heart disease, tests may include an exercise stress test or a heart CT scan. Another test is coronary angiography. It looks at the heart arteries under x-ray. Your provider may refer you to a cardiologist for tests, diagnosis, and care.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of heart disease. It also depends on how serious your symptoms are and your other health conditions. Possible treatments include heart-healthy lifestyle changes, medicines, procedures or surgeries, and cardiac rehabilitation.
For coronary heart disease, procedures include angioplasty with stent placement and coronary artery bypass surgery.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised program. It includes physical activity and education about healthy eating. It also covers taking medicine as prescribed, ways to quit smoking, and counseling to relieve stress.
Never stop taking your medicines without first talking to your provider. Stopping heart medicines suddenly can make angina (chest pain from lack of blood flow) worse or cause a heart attack.
When to see a doctor
If you have risk factors for heart disease, talk to your provider about prevention and treatment steps.
Heart attack symptoms can include chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, and heartburn. They can also include nausea or vomiting, extreme tiredness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you have chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, trouble breathing, fainting or sudden loss of consciousness, or sudden weakness, trouble speaking, or a sudden change in vision. These can be signs of a heart attack.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can ask about your history, do an exam, and order first heart and blood tests. They can also refer you to a cardiologist when needed.
Common questions
Can you have heart disease and not know it?
Yes. Heart disease can be silent. You may not know you have it until a problem such as a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia happens.
What is the most common type of heart disease?
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. It happens slowly over time when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply your heart muscle with blood.
Can heart disease be prevented?
Sometimes. You may be able to lower your risk of certain heart diseases. Heart-healthy lifestyle changes and managing any other medical conditions you have can help.
Does heart disease run in families?
Yes, it can. A family history of early heart disease raises your risk. Research has also shown that some genes are linked to a higher risk of certain heart diseases.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Heart Diseases
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About Heart Disease
- MedlinePlus - Coronary heart disease
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
