Condition Lookup
Category:
Heart Diseases
Number of Conditions: 45
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Congenital Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
heart murmur; rapid breathing; difficulty feeding; poor growth; fatigue; frequent respiratory infections
Root Cause:
The ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery in fetal circulation, remains open after birth, causing abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiogram, chest X-ray, ECG, or cardiac MRI.
Treatment:
Observation for small PDAs (may close on their own), catheter-based closure, or surgical ligation.
Medications:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like indomethacin or ibuprofen to promote closure in premature infants; diuretics for managing fluid overload.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in about 1 in 2,000 full-term births but is more common in premature infants.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Premature birth, maternal rubella infection, or genetic conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with treatment; small PDAs may close spontaneously.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, infective endocarditis.
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Congenital Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; fatigue; frequent respiratory infections in children; heart murmur; swelling of the legs, feet, or abdomen; arrhythmias in adults
Root Cause:
An opening in the atrial septum (wall separating the heart's two upper chambers) that allows blood to flow between the atria, leading to a mix of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiogram, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac MRI, or cardiac catheterization.
Treatment:
Small defects may close on their own; larger defects require surgical closure or catheter-based repair.
Medications:
While no medications can close the defect, anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin or aspirin ) may be used to reduce stroke risk, and diuretics or beta-blockers may be used to manage symptoms of heart failure.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to occur in 1 out of every 1,859 live births; more common in females than males.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of congenital heart defects, maternal alcohol or drug use during pregnancy, genetic conditions like Down syndrome.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with timely repair, with most individuals living normal lives; untreated large defects may lead to heart failure or pulmonary hypertension.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary hypertension, stroke, atrial arrhythmias, Eisenmenger syndrome (severe pulmonary hypertension with cyanosis).
Coarctation of the Aorta
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Congenital Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
high blood pressure; weak or absent pulses in the legs; cold feet; headaches; nosebleeds; leg cramps or pain during exercise
Root Cause:
Narrowing of the aorta, leading to increased workload on the heart and reduced blood flow to the lower body.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiogram, chest X-ray, ECG, MRI, or CT angiography.
Treatment:
Balloon angioplasty, stent placement, or surgical repair.
Medications:
Antihypertensives (e.g., beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors) to manage high blood pressure.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for 5-8% of all congenital heart defects; more common in males.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic syndromes (e.g., Turner syndrome), family history of heart defects.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early treatment; long-term blood pressure monitoring is essential.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent hypertension, aortic rupture, heart failure, endocarditis.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Congenital Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
severe cyanosis; rapid breathing; difficulty feeding; lethargy; cold extremities; heart murmur
Root Cause:
The left side of the heart is underdeveloped, leading to inadequate pumping of oxygen-rich blood to the body.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Prenatal ultrasound, echocardiogram, chest X-ray, or cardiac MRI.
Treatment:
Prostaglandin E1 to keep the ductus arteriosus open, staged surgical repair (Norwood, Glenn, and Fontan procedures), or heart transplantation in severe cases.
Medications:
Prostaglandin E1 (prostaglandin analog), anticoagulants to prevent clotting, and diuretics to manage heart failure symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in approximately 1 in 4,000 live births.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic syndromes, maternal diabetes, or prenatal exposure to toxins.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Guarded; survival rates have improved significantly with advances in surgery, but long-term complications are common.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure, arrhythmias, thromboembolism, developmental delays.
Myocarditis
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
chest pain; shortness of breath; fatigue; irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias); fever; leg swelling (in severe cases)
Root Cause:
Inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by a viral infection, autoimmune response, or exposure to toxins.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac biomarkers, echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and sometimes endomyocardial biopsy to confirm inflammation.
Treatment:
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity, including supportive care, medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, heart failure management, and addressing infections or autoimmune conditions when present.
Medications:
Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., corticosteroids), immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine ), and medications for heart failure (e.g., ACE inhibitors like enalapril or beta-blockers like carvedilol ). In cases caused by infection, antibiotics or antivirals may be used.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively rare; incidence is estimated at 10-20 cases per 100,000 people annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Recent viral infection; autoimmune disorders; exposure to toxins (alcohol, drugs); certain medications; weakened immune system
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies widely; some cases resolve completely, while others can lead to chronic heart failure or require a heart transplant.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure; arrhythmias; cardiogenic shock; sudden cardiac death; dilated cardiomyopathy
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Symptoms:
severe chest pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back; shortness of breath; nausea and vomiting; sweating; dizziness or fainting
Root Cause:
Complete blockage of a coronary artery due to a blood clot or plaque rupture, causing heart muscle damage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG); blood tests for cardiac enzymes like troponin; echocardiography; coronary angiography
Treatment:
Emergency reperfusion therapy (e.g., percutaneous coronary intervention or thrombolysis), followed by long-term management with medications and lifestyle changes.
Medications:
Medications include antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin , clopidogrel ), anticoagulants (e.g., heparin ), beta-blockers (e.g., carvedilol ), ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril ), statins (e.g., atorvastatin ), and thrombolytics (e.g., alteplase ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Leading cause of death worldwide; prevalent among older adults and those with cardiovascular risk factors.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High cholesterol; hypertension; diabetes; smoking; obesity; sedentary lifestyle; family history of heart disease
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis improves with early treatment; delayed treatment increases risk of heart failure and death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure; arrhythmias; cardiac arrest; stroke; ventricular rupture
Unstable Angina
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Symptoms:
sudden and worsening chest pain; pain at rest or with minimal exertion; shortness of breath; nausea; sweating
Root Cause:
Acute reduction in blood flow to the heart due to ruptured plaque or clot formation in the coronary arteries.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG); blood tests for cardiac biomarkers like troponins; coronary angiography
Treatment:
Immediate medical intervention to restore blood flow, often involving antiplatelet therapy and coronary interventions.
Medications:
Medications include antiplatelet drugs (e.g., aspirin , clopidogrel ), anticoagulants (e.g., heparin , enoxaparin ), beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol ), nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin ), and statins (e.g., atorvastatin ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects individuals with existing coronary artery disease; a precursor to myocardial infarction.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced atherosclerosis; smoking; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; diabetes; obesity; stress
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
High risk of myocardial infarction; requires prompt and aggressive treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart attack; arrhythmias; sudden cardiac death
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
rapid heartbeat; chest pain; dizziness; shortness of breath; loss of consciousness; palpitations
Root Cause:
Abnormal electrical signals originating in the ventricles cause rapid and ineffective contractions, impairing blood flow.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), Holter monitor, cardiac MRI, or electrophysiology study.
Treatment:
Antiarrhythmic medications, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), or catheter ablation.
Medications:
Amiodarone (antiarrhythmic), lidocaine (sodium channel blocker), beta-blockers (e.g., carvedilol ), or magnesium sulfate (for Torsades de Pointes).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in the general population; more common in patients with underlying heart disease or structural abnormalities.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Coronary artery disease, heart failure, previous myocardial infarction, electrolyte imbalances, and genetic conditions (e.g., long QT syndrome).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can be life-threatening if untreated, but ICDs and medical therapy significantly improve survival.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sudden cardiac arrest, heart failure, and syncope.
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
sudden collapse; loss of consciousness; no pulse; agonal gasping (abnormal breathing)
Root Cause:
Disorganized electrical activity in the ventricles causes ineffective pumping and cessation of blood flow.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) during cardiac arrest.
Treatment:
Immediate defibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and treatment of underlying causes (e.g., coronary artery disease).
Medications:
Epinephrine (to support circulation), amiodarone or lidocaine (antiarrhythmics), and magnesium sulfate (for Torsades de Pointes).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Primary cause of sudden cardiac death, with approximately 300,000 cases annually in the U.S.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and electrolyte imbalances.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor without immediate intervention; survival improves significantly with early defibrillation and CPR.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Brain damage due to lack of oxygen, recurrent VF, and death.
Pericarditis
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
sharp chest pain (often relieved by sitting forward); fever; shortness of breath; heart palpitations; pericardial friction rub (a specific heart sound)
Root Cause:
Inflammation of the pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart), often due to viral infections, autoimmune disorders, or post-cardiac injury syndrome.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed based on clinical symptoms (e.g., chest pain relieved by sitting up), ECG changes (e.g., diffuse ST elevation), imaging such as echocardiography to detect pericardial effusion, and blood tests for inflammation markers.
Treatment:
Treatment typically includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, and corticosteroids in severe or recurrent cases, along with addressing any underlying infections or conditions.
Medications:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, e.g., ibuprofen ), colchicine (to reduce inflammation and recurrence), and corticosteroids (for autoimmune-related pericarditis). Antibiotics are used for bacterial pericarditis.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 27 cases per 100,000 people annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Viral or bacterial infections; autoimmune diseases; recent heart attack; chest trauma or surgery
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often resolves with treatment, but recurrent or chronic pericarditis may occur. Rarely progresses to constrictive pericarditis or cardiac tamponade.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cardiac tamponade (fluid buildup compressing the heart); chronic constrictive pericarditis; recurrence of pericarditis
Atherosclerosis
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Symptoms:
chest pain or discomfort (angina); shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle weakness; cold or numb extremities; poor wound healing in extremities
Root Cause:
Buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in the arterial walls, leading to narrowing and reduced blood flow.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests for cholesterol and triglycerides; angiography; ultrasound of blood vessels; CT or MRI scans; ankle-brachial index (ABI) test for peripheral artery disease
Treatment:
Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, smoking cessation), medications to reduce cholesterol and prevent clots, and procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery if necessary.
Medications:
Medications include statins (e.g., atorvastatin or rosuvastatin ) to reduce cholesterol, antiplatelet drugs (e.g., aspirin , clopidogrel ) to prevent blood clots, and antihypertensives (e.g., ACE inhibitors like lisinopril or beta-blockers like metoprolol ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects millions globally; the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High LDL cholesterol; hypertension; diabetes; obesity; smoking; family history of heart disease; sedentary lifestyle
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive disease that can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart attack; stroke; peripheral artery disease; aneurysms; chronic kidney disease
Stable Angina
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Symptoms:
chest pain or discomfort triggered by physical activity or stress; pain usually subsides with rest; shortness of breath; nausea
Root Cause:
Reduced blood flow to the heart due to atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG); exercise stress test; coronary angiography; blood tests for cardiac enzymes
Treatment:
Lifestyle modifications, medications to improve blood flow and reduce heart workload, and coronary interventions if needed.
Medications:
Medications include nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin ) to relieve chest pain, beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol ) to reduce heart workload, calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine ), and antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin ) to prevent clot formation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in individuals with coronary artery disease, especially those aged 50+.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking; high cholesterol; high blood pressure; obesity; sedentary lifestyle; family history of heart disease
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms are controllable with medications and lifestyle changes, but it may progress to more severe forms of coronary artery disease.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to unstable angina; myocardial infarction; heart failure
Prinzmetal’s Angina (Variant Angina)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Symptoms:
chest pain that occurs at rest, often during nighttime; temporary st-segment elevation on ecg; pain relieved by nitrates or calcium channel blockers
Root Cause:
Coronary artery spasm temporarily reduces blood flow to the heart.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
ECG during an episode; coronary angiography with vasospasm provocation tests
Treatment:
Medications to prevent or reduce coronary artery spasms; lifestyle changes to avoid triggers.
Medications:
Medications include calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem , amlodipine ) and nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin ) to alleviate and prevent symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively rare; occurs more often in younger patients or those without significant coronary artery disease.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking; stress; cold exposure; certain medications or drugs like cocaine
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with treatment; severe cases may lead to arrhythmias or myocardial infarction.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Arrhythmias; myocardial infarction
Systolic Heart Failure (Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Heart Failure
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; fatigue; swelling in legs, ankles, and feet; persistent cough or wheezing; reduced exercise tolerance
Root Cause:
Impaired ability of the left ventricle to pump blood effectively due to weakened heart muscle.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiography to measure ejection fraction; chest X-ray; BNP blood test; ECG; cardiac MRI
Treatment:
Medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, devices like ICDs or LVADs; heart transplantation in severe cases.
Medications:
Medications include ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril ), beta-blockers (e.g., bisoprolol ), diuretics (e.g., furosemide ), aldosterone antagonists (e.g., spironolactone ), and angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) (e.g., sacubitril /valsartan ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among older adults with cardiovascular disease.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hypertension; coronary artery disease; myocardial infarction; diabetes; obesity
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic condition with variable outcomes; prognosis improves with optimal medical therapy.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Arrhythmias; kidney damage; liver congestion; cardiac arrest
Diastolic Heart Failure (Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Heart Failure
Symptoms:
shortness of breath, especially during exertion or lying flat; fatigue; swelling in legs and feet; persistent cough or wheezing
Root Cause:
Stiffness or impaired relaxation of the heart muscle, leading to inadequate filling of the ventricles despite normal ejection fraction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiography with Doppler imaging; BNP blood test; chest X-ray; ECG
Treatment:
Lifestyle changes, medications to manage comorbidities like hypertension or diabetes, and diuretics to control fluid retention.
Medications:
Medications include diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) to reduce congestion, beta-blockers (e.g., carvedilol ) to lower heart rate, calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil ) for relaxation, and RAAS inhibitors (e.g., ACE inhibitors like enalapril ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for about 50% of heart failure cases, common in older adults, especially women.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hypertension; obesity; diabetes; aging; coronary artery disease
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic but manageable; worse prognosis if underlying conditions are poorly controlled.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary hypertension; arrhythmias; worsening heart failure symptoms
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Heart Failure
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; swelling in legs, feet, and abdomen; persistent cough or wheezing; fatigue; weight gain due to fluid retention
Root Cause:
Reduced heart function leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and other tissues.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiography; chest X-ray; BNP blood test; ECG; cardiac MRI
Treatment:
Comprehensive management includes lifestyle changes, medications, and device therapy like ICDs or biventricular pacemakers.
Medications:
Medications include ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril ), beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol ), diuretics (e.g., furosemide ), aldosterone antagonists (e.g., spironolactone ), and ARNIs (e.g., sacubitril /valsartan ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects millions globally, especially in older adults with comorbid conditions.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hypertension; coronary artery disease; diabetes; obesity; valvular heart disease
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic and progressive, but with treatment, quality of life and longevity can improve significantly.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Kidney dysfunction; arrhythmias; pulmonary edema; cardiac arrest
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Heart Failure
Symptoms:
severe shortness of breath; rapid weight gain due to fluid retention; swelling in legs and abdomen; fatigue; persistent cough with frothy or pink sputum
Root Cause:
Sudden worsening of heart failure symptoms, often triggered by an acute event like myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, or infection.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; echocardiography; chest X-ray; BNP blood test; ECG
Treatment:
Hospitalization for urgent treatment, including diuretics to relieve fluid overload, vasodilators, and inotropic agents if needed.
Medications:
Medications include IV diuretics (e.g., furosemide ), vasodilators (e.g., nitroglycerin ), and inotropic agents (e.g., dobutamine ) for severe cases. Long-term management involves heart failure medications like ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common cause of hospitalization in older adults with chronic heart failure.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Uncontrolled hypertension; nonadherence to heart failure medications; acute infections; myocardial infarction
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable, depending on the severity of the acute episode and response to treatment; high risk of recurrent episodes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary edema; multi-organ failure; arrhythmias; death
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Cardiomyopathies
Symptoms:
fatigue; shortness of breath; swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet; irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias); chest pain or discomfort; fainting episodes
Root Cause:
The heart's ventricles (usually the left) become enlarged and weakened, reducing the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, echocardiogram, EKG, chest X-ray, cardiac MRI, blood tests, and sometimes a heart biopsy.
Treatment:
Lifestyle changes, medications, implanted devices (e.g., pacemakers or defibrillators), and in severe cases, heart transplantation.
Medications:
Beta-blockers (e.g., carvedilol , metoprolol ), ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril , lisinopril ), ARBs (e.g., losartan , valsartan ), diuretics (e.g., furosemide ), aldosterone antagonists (e.g., spironolactone ), and anticoagulants if there is a risk of blood clots.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 250 individuals; more common in men and often diagnosed in middle age.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, viral infections, chronic alcohol use, chemotherapy, uncontrolled hypertension, or autoimmune conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; many patients live normal lives with treatment, though severe cases may progress to heart failure requiring advanced therapies.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, sudden cardiac death, and thromboembolism.
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Cardiomyopathies
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; fatigue; swelling in the legs, ankles, and abdomen; palpitations; reduced exercise tolerance
Root Cause:
Stiffness of the heart muscle impairs its ability to fill with blood, leading to diastolic dysfunction while systolic function remains relatively normal.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, EKG, blood tests, and sometimes biopsy.
Treatment:
Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, as the condition is often progressive. Diuretics and anticoagulants may be used, and underlying causes (e.g., amyloidosis) are treated if identified.
Medications:
Diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) for symptom relief, anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin ) if atrial fibrillation is present, and medications specific to the underlying cause, such as tafamidis for transthyretin amyloidosis.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; exact prevalence unknown but often associated with other systemic diseases.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, radiation therapy, and connective tissue disorders.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally poor without specific treatment for the underlying cause; supportive care can improve quality of life.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure, and thromboembolic events.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Cardiomyopathies
Symptoms:
palpitations; dizziness or fainting; shortness of breath; chest pain; sudden cardiac death during physical activity
Root Cause:
A genetic condition where the muscle tissue of the right ventricle is replaced by fat and fibrous tissue, leading to arrhythmias.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
EKG, echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, genetic testing, and sometimes a biopsy.
Treatment:
Lifestyle modification (avoiding strenuous exercise), medications, ICDs, and catheter ablation for arrhythmias.
Medications:
Beta-blockers (e.g., bisoprolol ) and antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone , sotalol ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 5,000 people; more common in athletes and often diagnosed in young adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic mutations (e.g., desmosomal protein genes), family history, and vigorous physical activity.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Lifelong condition requiring close monitoring; risk of sudden cardiac death in untreated cases.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death.
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Cardiomyopathies
Symptoms:
sudden chest pain; shortness of breath; palpitations; fainting; symptoms mimicking a heart attack
Root Cause:
Temporary weakening or ballooning of the left ventricle, often triggered by extreme emotional or physical stress.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, blood tests (troponin), coronary angiography to rule out blocked arteries.
Treatment:
Supportive care, managing symptoms, and addressing triggers. Most patients recover within weeks.
Medications:
Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol ), ACE inhibitors (e.g., ramipril ), and diuretics (e.g., spironolactone ) for heart function recovery.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for about 1-2% of all cases initially suspected to be heart attacks; more common in postmenopausal women.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Extreme emotional or physical stress, prior mental health conditions, female sex, and postmenopausal status.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with appropriate care; most patients recover fully within weeks.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and recurrence in some cases.
Aortic Stenosis
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Valvular Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
chest pain (angina); shortness of breath; fatigue; fainting (syncope); heart murmur
Root Cause:
Narrowing of the aortic valve opening, leading to restricted blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through echocardiography to assess valve narrowing and blood flow, often supported by auscultation of a systolic murmur.
Treatment:
Treatment involves valve replacement or repair, typically through surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Medications:
Medications may include beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to reduce the heart’s workload, diuretics to manage fluid overload, and ACE inhibitors or ARBs for concurrent hypertension. These are supportive treatments rather than curative.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 2-4% of individuals over 65 years old in developed countries.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging; bicuspid aortic valve; rheumatic fever; calcium buildup on the valve; congenital valve abnormalities
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely valve replacement; untreated severe cases lead to heart failure or death within a few years after symptom onset.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure; arrhythmias; sudden cardiac death; endocarditis; blood clots
Aortic Regurgitation
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Valvular Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
fatigue; shortness of breath (especially during exertion or lying flat); palpitations; swollen ankles or feet; chest pain
Root Cause:
The aortic valve doesn’t close tightly, allowing blood to flow backward into the left ventricle, leading to volume overload.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Identified using echocardiography to evaluate valve insufficiency and regurgitant flow, often confirmed with cardiac MRI or CT in complex cases.
Treatment:
Management includes medications for heart failure symptoms and surgical valve repair or replacement in severe cases.
Medications:
Vasodilators (e.g., ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or hydralazine ) can reduce afterload, and diuretics can relieve fluid overload. Beta-blockers may also be used if concurrent hypertension or arrhythmias exist.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in approximately 2-5% of adults, often increasing with age.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hypertension; Marfan syndrome; infective endocarditis; rheumatic fever; congenital valve malformation
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on severity; mild cases may remain stable, while severe cases require valve replacement to prevent heart failure.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure; arrhythmias; endocarditis; aortic aneurysm or dissection
Mitral Stenosis
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Valvular Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; fatigue; palpitations; swollen feet or ankles; hemoptysis (coughing up blood); heart murmur
Root Cause:
Narrowing of the mitral valve, leading to restricted blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed via echocardiography to measure mitral valve area and detect restricted flow, often accompanied by auscultation of a diastolic murmur.
Treatment:
Treatment includes percutaneous balloon valvotomy, surgical repair, or valve replacement, often supported by diuretics for symptom control.
Medications:
Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants) to prevent thromboembolism, beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to manage atrial fibrillation, and diuretics to reduce pulmonary congestion.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in developed countries; more common in developing regions due to rheumatic fever.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of rheumatic fever; female sex; atrial fibrillation; endocarditis
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; untreated cases often progress to severe pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Atrial fibrillation; pulmonary hypertension; stroke; heart failure
Mitral Regurgitation
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Valvular Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; fatigue; palpitations; swelling in feet or ankles; heart murmur
Root Cause:
Mitral valve allows blood to flow backward into the left atrium, causing volume overload in the heart.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Evaluated with echocardiography to visualize regurgitant flow and assess valve structure and function.
Treatment:
Options include medical management for symptoms and surgical repair or replacement in severe or symptomatic cases.
Medications:
Vasodilators (e.g., ACE inhibitors or ARBs), diuretics for fluid management, and anticoagulants if atrial fibrillation is present.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects up to 2% of the population; prevalence increases with age.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Connective tissue disorders; rheumatic fever; infective endocarditis; previous heart attack
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely intervention; untreated severe regurgitation can lead to heart failure.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure; atrial fibrillation; pulmonary hypertension
Tricuspid Stenosis
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Valvular Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
fatigue; swelling in the abdomen or legs; cold extremities; distended neck veins; fluttering sensation in the neck; heart murmur
Root Cause:
Narrowing of the tricuspid valve restricts blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle, leading to systemic venous congestion.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed using echocardiography to assess valve narrowing and confirm elevated pressure gradients across the valve.
Treatment:
Treated with valve replacement or repair, often combined with managing associated conditions like atrial fibrillation or heart failure.
Medications:
Diuretics, such as furosemide , are commonly used to manage systemic fluid overload and relieve symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, often associated with rheumatic heart disease or congenital defects.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Rheumatic fever; carcinoid syndrome; congenital abnormalities; prosthetic valve dysfunction
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on underlying cause; good prognosis with surgical correction but poor if left untreated.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure; atrial fibrillation; systemic congestion leading to liver and kidney dysfunction
Tricuspid Regurgitation
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Valvular Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
fatigue; swelling in the abdomen, legs, or ankles; distended neck veins; shortness of breath with exertion; heart murmur
Root Cause:
The tricuspid valve allows blood to flow backward into the right atrium, causing systemic venous congestion and right-sided heart strain.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Identified through echocardiography to detect regurgitant flow and evaluate the severity of valve dysfunction.
Treatment:
Focuses on treating underlying causes and symptoms, with surgical or transcatheter valve repair or replacement for severe cases.
Medications:
Diuretics (e.g., furosemide or spironolactone ) are used to manage fluid retention. In some cases, vasodilators may be used for pulmonary hypertension.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Commonly found in mild form; severe cases are less common and typically secondary to other heart conditions.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Pulmonary hypertension; rheumatic fever; infective endocarditis; prior heart surgery
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; mild cases may not require intervention, but severe cases can lead to right-sided heart failure if untreated.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Right-sided heart failure; arrhythmias; systemic congestion
Pulmonic Stenosis
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Valvular Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
fatigue; shortness of breath; chest pain; heart murmur; fainting (syncope); cyanosis in severe cases
Root Cause:
Narrowing of the pulmonic valve restricts blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary arteries, increasing the workload on the right heart.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed with echocardiography and Doppler imaging to measure valve narrowing and pressure gradients.
Treatment:
Managed with balloon valvuloplasty or surgical intervention in severe or symptomatic cases.
Medications:
Medications are typically not needed, but diuretics may be used to manage fluid retention in severe cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
A rare congenital heart defect, occurring in about 0.6-0.8 per 1,000 live births.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Congenital heart defects; Noonan syndrome; Carcinoid syndrome
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; untreated severe cases can lead to right-sided heart failure.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Right-sided heart failure; arrhythmias; cyanosis; infective endocarditis
Pulmonic Regurgitation
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Valvular Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
fatigue; shortness of breath; swelling in the legs or abdomen; palpitations; heart murmur
Root Cause:
The pulmonic valve doesn’t close properly, allowing blood to flow back into the right ventricle, causing volume overload and strain on the right side of the heart.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Evaluated using echocardiography to detect regurgitant flow and assess right heart function.
Treatment:
Typically monitored, with surgical or transcatheter valve replacement reserved for severe cases causing right heart dysfunction.
Medications:
Diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) for fluid management; vasodilators (e.g., prostacyclin analogs or endothelin receptor antagonists) may be used to address underlying pulmonary hypertension.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare as an isolated condition; more commonly secondary to pulmonary hypertension or previous cardiac surgery.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Pulmonary hypertension; tetralogy of Fallot repair; endocarditis; rheumatic fever
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; untreated cases can lead to right-sided heart failure over time.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Right-sided heart failure; arrhythmias; infective endocarditis
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Congenital Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
heart murmur; difficulty feeding in infants; poor growth; fatigue; shortness of breath; frequent respiratory infections
Root Cause:
A hole in the ventricular septum (wall separating the heart's lower chambers) allows oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix, leading to increased blood flow to the lungs.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiogram, chest X-ray, ECG, cardiac MRI, or cardiac catheterization.
Treatment:
Small VSDs may close on their own; larger defects require surgical repair or catheter-based closure.
Medications:
Diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) to manage fluid overload, ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril ) to reduce heart strain, and digoxin to improve heart function.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The most common congenital heart defect, occurring in 1-3 per 1,000 live births.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic conditions (e.g., Down syndrome), maternal infections, or toxin exposure during pregnancy.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Very good if repaired early; untreated large defects may lead to heart failure or Eisenmenger syndrome.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary hypertension, endocarditis, arrhythmias, heart failure.
Tetralogy of Fallot
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Congenital Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
cyanosis (bluish skin); shortness of breath; clubbing of fingers and toes; poor weight gain; fainting; heart murmur
Root Cause:
A combination of four defects
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiogram, chest X-ray (showing a "boot-shaped" heart), ECG, pulse oximetry, cardiac catheterization, or cardiac MRI.
Treatment:
Surgical repair (intracardiac repair) during infancy; temporary shunt placement may be needed for stabilization.
Medications:
Prostaglandins (to keep the ductus arteriosus open in neonates), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol ) to manage "Tet spells" (cyanotic episodes).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in about 1 in 3,000 live births.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic syndromes (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome), maternal rubella or toxin exposure during pregnancy.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with surgery; ongoing monitoring for arrhythmias or pulmonary valve issues is required.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Arrhythmias, pulmonary regurgitation, heart failure, sudden cardiac death.
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Congenital Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
severe cyanosis shortly after birth; rapid breathing; poor feeding; heart murmur
Root Cause:
The positions of the aorta and pulmonary artery are reversed, causing oxygen-poor blood to circulate to the body and oxygen-rich blood to recirculate to the lungs.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiogram, chest X-ray (showing "egg on a string" appearance), ECG, or cardiac catheterization.
Treatment:
Prostaglandin E1 to maintain ductus arteriosus patency, balloon atrial septostomy for stabilization, and surgical arterial switch procedure.
Medications:
Prostaglandin E1 (a prostaglandin analog) to maintain ductus arteriosus patency until surgery.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in approximately 1 in 3,500 live births.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Maternal diabetes, genetic factors, or inadequate prenatal care.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with timely surgical repair; requires lifelong monitoring for complications.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Arrhythmias, coronary artery problems, heart failure.
Ebstein’s Anomaly
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Congenital Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
cyanosis; shortness of breath; heart palpitations; fatigue; heart murmur; swelling in the legs or abdomen
Root Cause:
Malformation of the tricuspid valve, which is displaced downward into the right ventricle, causing abnormal blood flow and heart function.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiogram, chest X-ray, ECG, or cardiac MRI.
Treatment:
Observation for mild cases, surgical repair or valve replacement for severe cases, and arrhythmia management with medication or catheter ablation.
Medications:
Antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., amiodarone or sotalol ) to manage arrhythmias; diuretics to manage fluid retention.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, occurring in about 1 in 20,000 live births.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Maternal lithium use during pregnancy, genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies depending on severity; mild cases may have a near-normal life expectancy, while severe cases require surgical intervention.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, infective endocarditis.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
irregular or rapid heartbeat; palpitations; shortness of breath; fatigue; dizziness; chest pain
Root Cause:
Abnormal electrical signals in the atria cause them to beat irregularly and out of sync with the ventricles.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), Holter monitor, echocardiogram, stress tests, or event recorders.
Treatment:
Rate control (medications), rhythm control (medications or cardioversion), catheter ablation, and lifestyle modifications (e.g., weight loss, avoiding triggers).
Medications:
Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol ), calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem ), antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone ), and anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin , apixaban , or rivaroxaban ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1–2% of the global population, with increasing prevalence in individuals over 65 years of age.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption, and hyperthyroidism.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate management, patients can maintain a good quality of life, but the condition increases the risk of stroke and heart failure.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Stroke, heart failure, blood clots, and cardiomyopathy.
Atrial Flutter
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
rapid heart rate; palpitations; shortness of breath; fatigue; lightheadedness; chest discomfort
Root Cause:
Abnormal electrical signals in the atria create a "sawtooth" rhythm, leading to rapid and organized contractions.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), Holter monitor, or electrophysiology study.
Treatment:
Cardioversion, catheter ablation, rate control, and rhythm control with medications or procedures.
Medications:
Calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem ), beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol ), anticoagulants (e.g., dabigatran or warfarin ), and antiarrhythmics (e.g., sotalol or flecainide ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common than AFib, with an estimated prevalence of 0.1–1% in the general population, more common in older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age, hypertension, previous heart surgery, structural heart disease, and thyroid dysfunction.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often treatable, especially with catheter ablation, but recurrence is possible without intervention.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Stroke, heart failure, and progression to atrial fibrillation.
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
rapid heartbeat; palpitations; dizziness; shortness of breath; chest tightness; fainting (syncope)
Root Cause:
Rapid electrical activity originating above the ventricles, often due to reentrant circuits or accessory pathways.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), Holter monitor, event recorder, or electrophysiology study.
Treatment:
Vagal maneuvers, cardioversion, catheter ablation, and lifestyle modifications (e.g., avoiding stimulants like caffeine).
Medications:
Adenosine (acute episodes), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol ), calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil ), and antiarrhythmics (e.g., flecainide ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated at 2.25 per 1,000 people, with a higher prevalence in women and younger individuals.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Structural heart abnormalities, accessory pathways (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome), thyroid dysfunction, and caffeine or stimulant use.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Usually benign and treatable, especially with catheter ablation, but recurrent episodes can affect quality of life.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure, syncope, or progression to more severe arrhythmias.
Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
heart palpitations; irregular heartbeat; skipped beats; mild chest discomfort; anxiety
Root Cause:
Early electrical impulses in the atria disrupt the normal heart rhythm.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), Holter monitor, or event monitor.
Treatment:
Usually benign and requires no treatment; lifestyle changes or beta-blockers for symptomatic cases.
Medications:
Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol ) are sometimes used to reduce symptoms in symptomatic patients.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common and often asymptomatic; prevalence increases with age and in individuals with heart disease.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stress, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, electrolyte imbalances, and structural heart disease.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Benign in most cases but may precede more significant arrhythmias like AFib.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare; may progress to atrial fibrillation or cause significant symptoms in predisposed individuals.
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
palpitations or a fluttering sensation in the chest; skipped or extra heartbeats; lightheadedness; occasionally asymptomatic
Root Cause:
Abnormal electrical impulses originating in the ventricles disrupt the heart's normal rhythm, causing premature heartbeats.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitor, event monitor, or exercise stress test.
Treatment:
Lifestyle changes (e.g., reducing caffeine or alcohol), stress management, beta-blockers, or catheter ablation for severe cases.
Medications:
Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol , atenolol ) may be prescribed to reduce the frequency of PVCs. Antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., flecainide , amiodarone ) may also be used in more severe cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
PVCs are common and may occur in healthy individuals or those with heart conditions; up to 50-60% of adults experience them.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, electrolyte imbalances, heart disease, and certain medications.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally benign in healthy individuals but may indicate underlying heart disease if frequent or symptomatic.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rarely, frequent PVCs can lead to cardiomyopathy or heart failure.
Sick Sinus Syndrome
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
fatigue; dizziness; syncope (fainting); bradycardia or tachycardia; shortness of breath; palpitations
Root Cause:
Dysfunction of the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's natural pacemaker, causing irregular heart rhythms (bradycardia, tachycardia, or alternating rhythms).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
ECG, Holter monitoring, event monitoring, or electrophysiological studies.
Treatment:
Pacemaker implantation is the primary treatment; antiarrhythmic medications may be needed for tachyarrhythmias.
Medications:
For tachyarrhythmias, beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol ), calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem ), or antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone ) may be prescribed.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in the elderly, with increasing prevalence due to aging; estimated to affect 1 in 600 cardiac patients over age 65.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, heart disease, hypothyroidism, electrolyte imbalances, and certain medications (e.g., beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With a pacemaker, most individuals live normal lives, though it may indicate underlying cardiac conditions.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Syncope, heart failure, stroke (due to tachyarrhythmias like atrial fibrillation).
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
palpitations; dizziness; shortness of breath; chest pain; syncope; rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Root Cause:
Presence of an extra electrical pathway (accessory pathway) in the heart leads to episodes of tachycardia or pre-excitation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
ECG showing a shortened PR interval and delta waves, electrophysiological testing, or Holter monitoring.
Treatment:
Catheter ablation is the preferred treatment; vagal maneuvers and medications may control acute episodes.
Medications:
Antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., procainamide or flecainide ) may be used to manage symptoms. Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers are avoided if atrial fibrillation is present.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, occurring in about 1-3 per 1,000 people; often diagnosed in younger individuals.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Congenital condition; family history may play a role.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with catheter ablation; untreated WPW may lead to life-threatening arrhythmias.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sudden cardiac arrest, atrial fibrillation, or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
Brugada Syndrome
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
syncope; palpitations; seizures; sudden cardiac arrest, often during sleep or rest
Root Cause:
Genetic mutation affecting sodium channels in the heart, leading to abnormal electrical activity and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
ECG (coved ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V3), genetic testing, or drug challenge tests.
Treatment:
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the primary treatment; lifestyle changes and avoidance of triggers (e.g., fever, certain medications).
Medications:
Quinidine (antiarrhythmic) may be used to reduce arrhythmias in patients not eligible for an ICD.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, affecting 1 in 5,000 to 10,000 individuals; more common in Southeast Asian populations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Male sex, family history, fever, and certain medications.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; high risk of sudden cardiac death without treatment, but good outcomes with an ICD.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sudden cardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation.
Heart Block
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Symptoms:
fatigue; dizziness; fainting; shortness of breath; bradycardia
Root Cause:
Impaired electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles, ranging from delayed conduction (first-degree) to complete block (third-degree).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
ECG, Holter monitoring, or electrophysiological studies.
Treatment:
May include pacemaker implantation for symptomatic or advanced cases.
Medications:
No specific medications for heart block, but beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers may worsen conduction delays. Pacemakers manage severe cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
First-degree block
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, heart disease, electrolyte imbalances, Lyme disease, and medications (e.g., digoxin, beta-blockers).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
First-degree has an excellent prognosis. Advanced blocks require pacemaker but can allow a normal life.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Syncope, heart failure, or sudden cardiac arrest in severe cases.
Endocarditis
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
fever; fatigue; heart murmurs; shortness of breath; unexplained weight loss; petechiae (tiny red spots on the skin); janeway lesions or osler nodes
Root Cause:
Infection or inflammation of the endocardium (inner lining of the heart) and often the heart valves, typically caused by bacteria or fungi entering the bloodstream.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through blood cultures and echocardiography to detect infection and vegetation
Treatment:
Treated with prolonged intravenous antibiotics and sometimes valve surgery.
Medications:
Antibiotics such as penicillin, ceftriaxone , or vancomycin (bacterial infections); antifungals like amphotericin B for fungal endocarditis.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 3-10 cases per 100,000 people annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prosthetic heart valves; congenital heart defects; IV drug use; previous endocarditis; rheumatic heart disease
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With prompt treatment, prognosis is generally good; untreated, it is often fatal.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart valve damage; heart failure; stroke or embolism; abscess formation; sepsis
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; chest pain; fatigue; swelling in the legs; heart murmur
Root Cause:
Chronic damage to the heart valves caused by an autoimmune response to untreated streptococcal infections (group A strep).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed by echocardiography and clinical history of rheumatic fever.
Treatment:
Treatment includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and valve repair or replacement for severe damage.
Medications:
Long-term antibiotics (e.g., penicillin prophylaxis), diuretics for fluid management, and anticoagulants to prevent embolism.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 39 million people worldwide, primarily in low-income countries.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Untreated strep throat; poverty; poor access to healthcare; overcrowding
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Lifelong monitoring and treatment required; severe valve damage may necessitate surgery.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure; arrhythmias; stroke; infective endocarditis
Libman-Sacks Endocarditis
Specialty: Cardiovascular
Category: Heart Diseases
Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Heart Diseases
Symptoms:
often asymptomatic; fever; fatigue; heart murmurs; symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (sle)
Root Cause:
Formation of sterile vegetations on heart valves, caused by an autoimmune response in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed using echocardiography and associated with lupus serologies.
Treatment:
Treatment focuses on managing the underlying systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anticoagulation for thromboembolic prevention.
Medications:
Immunosuppressants (e.g., hydroxychloroquine , corticosteroids) and anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin ) to reduce embolism risk.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; seen in 10-15% of individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); antiphospholipid syndrome; autoimmune diseases
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies depending on lupus severity and valve damage; risk of complications like embolism or secondary infections.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Stroke or embolism; infective endocarditis; progressive valve dysfunction