The collective term for many diseases of the heart is simply heart disease (coronary heart or artery disease). It is the number-one cause of death in the United States, according to Medline Plus, and they are many different factors that put people at risk.

Root Cause

A condition called atherosclerosis is at the root of most heart disease. Atherosclerosis, according to Medline Plus, causes a buildup of fat and plaque in arteries, which makes them less able to carry blood.

Causes of Atherosclerosis

The causes of atherosclerosis include, according to the Mayo Clinic, eating poorly, not exercising, obesity (being extremely overweight) and using tobacco.

Consequences

Lifestyle choices can lead to other health problems, such as low HDL ("good") cholesterol and high LDL ("bad") cholesterol as well as diabetes and high blood pressure, which are also risk factors for heart disease, according to Medline Plus.

Other Factors

Other risk factors for heart disease, according to Medline Plus, include being a man over the age of 40 or being a menopausal or post-menopausal woman, genetic factors (other people in your family having heart disease), metabolic syndrome (high blood fats levels), kidney disease and high stress, as well as heart infections, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Heart Defects

Some people may be born with defects of the heart muscle or valves, which put them at risk of heart disease; the Mayo Clinic reports that although the root cause of these defects is not known, other medical problems, medications and genetics may contribute.

Source:

Medline Plus: Coronary Heart Disease

Mayo Clinic: Heart Disease Causes