Any heart condition that leads to a sudden slowing or blockage of blood supply to the heart is referred to as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). If you have chest pain (angina), or pressure in your chest typical of a heart attack, then you are considered as having ACS until proven otherwise. ACS is a...
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A congenital heart defect is a malformation of the heart that is present at birth. Some congenital heart defects are very minor and will never cause health problems. Others are very serious and complicated. These defects are usually discovered in infancy or early childhood due to symptoms and may be...
If you are experiencing chest pain or angina for the first time, seek immediate medical attention. What is Angina Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort that occurs whenever your heart is not receiving all the oxygen that it needs to do its job. Angina is often described as pain or pressure in...
The heartbeat is controlled by electrical impulses that normally travel on a smooth path through the heart, causing the ventricles and atria to contract in a specific order, pushing blood through the lungs and body. These electrical impulses are controlled by the heart's sinoatrial (SA) node, or...
Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, that happens when the electrical signalling in your heart is disrupted. Different types of atrial fibrillation may last for seconds or be permanent. The condition is more common in older people and can have many different causes...
Amyloidosis is a rare, chronic condition in which abnormal proteins bunch together to form amyloid deposits. These deposits can build in certain body organs such as the heart, nerves, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys, and may cause damage.
Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness, usually caused by disruptions to the normal electrical activity within the heart. This leads to a complete collapse and usually requires emergency measures in order to prevent death. Often, people who experience sudden...
Neuromuscular disorders represent a heterogeneous group of genetic abnormalities affecting the normal function of nerve and muscle. The age of onset is variable and clinical presentations depend on the type of condition. Symptoms can include muscle pain, weakness, and spasms. Some conditions can...
What Is Cardiac Sarcoidosis? Cardiac sarcoidosis is a rare disease in which clusters of white blood cells, called granulomas, form in the tissue of the heart. Any part of the heart can be affected, though these cell clusters most often form in the heart muscle where they can interfere with the heart...
The heart is a muscle that works like a pump. The main job of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. Cardiomyopathy is a condition which affects the ability of the heart muscle to pump effectively. There are different types of cardiomyopathy and different causes. The main goal of treatment...
A coronary abnormality may involve an irregularity with its starting point, course, shape, or branching. Coronary artery anomalies affect less than 1% of the population and are congenital (meaning they are present at birth). They may not be diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood because of a lack...
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition which affects the arteries that supply the heart with blood. It is usually caused by atherosclerosis which is a buildup of plaque inside the artery walls. This buildup causes the inside of the arteries to become narrower and slows down the flow of blood.
Normally, when blood glucose levels rise after a meal, the pancreas (an organ near the stomach) releases a hormone called insulin to stimulate your cells and liver to absorb the glucose. With diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot use the hormone...
Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart and its valves. The infection is caused by bacteria or fungi that enter the bloodstream through the mucous membranes of the mouth, open wounds, needles. It can also occur from medical procedures which involve cutting through infected skin...
A heart attack happens when the supply of oxygen-rich blood is cut off from part of the heart muscle. Heart attacks are usually caused by blockages in the arteries that provide the heart with blood. People having a heart attack will often experience chest pain or tightness, pain in the back, neck...
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart does not pump as strongly as it needs to. When the heart is not pumping well, the rest of your body does not get enough blood and oxygen. Heart failure is the most common diagnosis that brings people to the hospital for admission. Many new cases are...
What Is Heart Valve Disease? The heart has four valves, each located at the exit of one of the heart’s four chambers. As the heartbeat pushes blood through the heart, the valves close after blood has entered the chamber to prevent it from leaking backward. Sometimes, a valve may not open properly...
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance produced by the body. Elevated blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (a related type of fat or lipid) is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease. This is especially true for people who also have other risk factors for heart disease. Cholesterol...
Your blood pressure is considered high if you have systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or more and/or diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or more. At these levels, the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is too high and the workload on your heart is increased.
Many cardiac disorders can be inherited, including arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and high blood cholesterol. Coronary artery disease leading to heart attack, stroke, and heart failure can run in families, indicating inherited genetic risk factors. Genetics can influence the...