Definition of heart The heart is a roughly cone-shape hollow muscular organ situated in the middle mediastinum of the thoracic cavity that's pumps blood to the body. Definition of heart disease A type of disease that affects the heart or blood vessels. The risk of certain heart diseases may be increased by smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and obesity. In pregnancy: Maternal heart disease includes heart defects that are present at birth and acquired heart disease later in life. These can range from simple to complex. Examples include: A hole in the wall between the two sides of the heart. A heart valve that is too narrow or one that doesn't open or close properly. Signs: Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina) Shortness of breath. Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts of your body are narrowed. Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back. It is a presentation on Heart Disease in Pregnancy 2023