Acquired heart diseases are heart conditions that develop over time, rather than being present at birth. They can be caused by various factors such as infections, lifestyle choices, or other medical conditions. Some common examples include coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and heart failure.

Key Points to Understand:

1. Coronary Artery Disease: This is caused by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries, which can lead to chest pain or heart attacks.

2. Heart Valve Disease: This occurs when one or more of the heart’s valves don’t function properly, which can affect blood flow.

3. Heart Failure: This means the heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should, leading to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs.

Causes:

• Infections: Certain infections like rheumatic fever or myocarditis can damage the heart.

• Lifestyle: Smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol use can contribute to heart disease.

• Other Medical Conditions: High blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity increase the risk of developing heart disease.