The article discusses the pathophysiology of cardiac amyloidosis, which is characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins forming amyloid fibrils that disrupt myocardial function. It distinguishes between AL amyloidosis, related to clonal …
Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions globally and can lead to chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), which significantly impacts heart health. About 20-30% of those infected develop CCC, characterized by heart failure and …
Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) is a significant public health issue caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection, affecting 20% to 30% of infected individuals. It leads to severe cardiac complications like heart failure and arrhythmias. Understanding prognostic …
ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is a severe form of acute coronary syndrome caused by the complete blockage of a coronary artery, leading to significant heart muscle damage. Symptoms include severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and …
Heart valve replacement is a surgical procedure that addresses issues with the heart’s valves, which can include stenosis, regurgitation, or atresia. This surgery can involve either valve repair or replacement, utilizing mechanical or …
Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the heart, commonly due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Symptoms include chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and nausea. There are two main types: …
Aortic stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve, which can result from age-related calcification, congenital defects, or rheumatic fever. The condition leads to increased pressure on the left ventricle, potentially …
A nuclear stress test is an imaging procedure that assesses blood flow to the heart at rest and during induced physical stress, using a radioactive tracer. This test is vital for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD), which involves the narrowing …
Summary of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at widening blocked coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart. It involves inserting a catheter with a …
Coronary artery occlusion is the blockage of one or more coronary arteries, significantly reducing blood flow to the heart, primarily due to coronary artery disease (CAD) and plaque buildup. A chronic total occlusion (CTO) can lead to severe symptoms …
Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a rare heart condition marked by thickening of the heart muscle at the apex of the left ventricle, leading to impaired blood pumping and various symptoms, including shortness of breath and decreased …
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetic disorder impacting the right ventricle, characterized by the replacement of heart muscle with fatty and fibrous tissue, leading to arrhythmias and potential sudden cardiac death, …
Pulmonary atresia is a serious congenital heart defect where the pulmonary valve fails to develop properly, obstructing blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs. This defect often coexists with other anomalies, such as a ventricular septal …
Angina pectoris, commonly known as angina, is chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart, often due to narrowed coronary arteries from atherosclerosis. Symptoms include tightness or heaviness in the chest that may radiate to other …
Left Ventricular Non-Compaction (LVNC) cardiomyopathy is a rare congenital heart condition characterized by an abnormal structure of the heart muscle, particularly affecting the left ventricle. This leads to a spongy texture and deep recesses in the …
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disorder not caused by coronary artery disease, with multifactorial origins including genetic predispositions, infections, autoimmune diseases, and other systemic conditions. Symptoms often overlap with …
The article discusses the various types of congenital heart defects (CHDs), categorizing them into obstructive defects, septal defects, cyanotic defects, and complex defects. Obstructive defects, like aortic and pulmonary stenosis, block blood flow. …
The article provides a comprehensive overview of congenital heart defects (CHDs), which are structural heart abnormalities present at birth, affecting approximately 1 in 100 babies in the U.S. It highlights various types of CHDs, including Atrial …
The article explains that a heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, primarily due to coronary artery disease (CAD) from plaque buildup. It highlights key mechanisms such as blood clot formation and oxygen deprivation, …
Postpartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare and serious heart condition that can develop towards the end of pregnancy or within months after childbirth, characterized by weakened heart muscle, enlarged heart, and reduced ejection fraction. Symptoms …
The article discusses the cardiovascular risks associated with snow shoveling, highlighting that it can elevate heart rates to levels comparable to vigorous exercise, which may lead to cardiac strain, especially in cold weather. Key factors …
The article “The Hidden Dangers of Postpartum Heart Attacks: What Every Woman Should Know” emphasizes the significant risk of heart disease during pregnancy and the postpartum period, highlighting that heart disease is the leading cause …
A pacemaker is a small device implanted in the chest to regulate heartbeats, primarily for patients with bradycardia or other arrhythmias. It sends electrical impulses to maintain a stable heart rhythm, significantly improving the quality of life and …
The article “Understanding Arrhythmias: What You Need to Know” discusses arrhythmias, which are irregular heart rhythms that can be too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or erratic. These conditions can compromise the …
The article provides a comprehensive overview of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), highlighting their key differences. AFib is marked by rapid, irregular heart rhythms from the atria, potentially leading to serious …
The article “Understanding Arrhythmia: Types, Causes, and Symptoms” provides a comprehensive overview of arrhythmia, a disorder characterized by irregular heart rhythms, which can be categorized into tachycardia (fast heart rate) and …
Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common type of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), marked by rapid heart rates of 140 to 280 beats per minute due to an extra electrical pathway in the heart. It occurs when a premature …
Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) is a type of arrhythmia marked by episodes of rapid heart rates originating from the ventricles, lasting less than 30 seconds and often resolving spontaneously. While it may not significantly affect life …
Arrhythmia is a condition marked by irregular heartbeats, which can occur as tachycardia (rapid heart rate), bradycardia (slow heart rate), or irregular rhythms. It results from malfunctioning electrical signals in the heart, potentially leading to …
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a life-threatening arrhythmia where the heart’s ventricles beat rapidly, often over 100 beats per minute, disrupting normal blood flow. VT can be sustained (lasting over 30 seconds) or nonsustained (lasting less …
Cardiac cough is a persistent, wet cough resulting from fluid accumulation in the lungs due to congestive heart failure (CHF). This occurs when the heart fails to pump blood effectively, causing fluid backup and pulmonary congestion. Symptoms of …
Myxomatous degeneration is a pathological condition primarily affecting the mitral valve, characterized by changes in connective tissue that can lead to mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and mitral regurgitation (MR). It affects approximately 2% to 3% of …
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heartbeat originating from the heart’s ventricles, typically exceeding 100 beats per minute due to misfiring electrical signals. It can be classified as monomorphic (consistent electrical impulses) or …
A junctional escape rhythm is a cardiac arrhythmia that occurs when the sinoatrial (SA) node fails to initiate a heartbeat, causing the heart to rely on backup pacemakers near the atrioventricular (AV) node, leading to a heart rate of 40 to 60 beats …
Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is a condition where the mitral valve fails to close properly, potentially allowing blood to flow back into the left atrium. It often presents with few or no symptoms but can lead to palpitations, chest pain, fatigue, and …
Atrial tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia where the atria of the heart beat faster than normal, typically between 100 to 250 beats per minute. This condition is part of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and is caused by faulty electrical signals in …
The article discusses the serious complications associated with arrhythmia, characterized by irregular heartbeats that can lead to inadequate blood circulation and weaken the heart muscle over time. Complications such as atrial fibrillation (AFib) …
Mitral valve regurgitation (MVR), also known as mitral insufficiency, occurs when blood flows backward through the mitral valve during heart contraction due to valve damage. Common causes include mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic heart disease, …
Pulmonary atresia (PA) is a serious congenital heart defect characterized by the improper formation of the pulmonary valve, obstructing blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. This condition affects approximately 1 in 10,000 live …
Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) is a serious heart arrhythmia characterized by irregular heart rhythms originating from the ventricles, displaying multiple shapes on electrocardiograms. It can lead to severe complications like syncope, …
Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is a heart condition where the mitral valve does not close properly, potentially allowing blood to flow backward into the left atrium. While often asymptomatic and discovered during routine exams, some patients may …
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common heart condition affecting 2% to 3% of the population, characterized by improper closure of the mitral valve, which can lead to complications such as mitral regurgitation and, in severe cases, heart failure. …
The article “Understanding Heart Failure: Symptoms and Diagnosis” explains that heart failure occurs when the heart cannot effectively pump blood, leading to various symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling, rapid …
Wide complex tachycardia (WCT) refers to a condition characterized by a heart rate exceeding 100 bpm and an elongated QRS complex on an electrocardiogram (EKG), indicating disruptions in the heart’s electrical conduction. WCT is categorized …
Arrhythmia surgery aims to restore normal heart rhythm and improve heart function, with catheter ablation being a prominent minimally invasive treatment option. This procedure targets specific areas in the heart causing abnormal electrical signals …
Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia (EAT) is a pediatric arrhythmia marked by rapid heartbeats originating from an ectopic focus in the atria, which can significantly affect children’s health. Symptoms may include heart palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, …
Heart valve disease (HVD) disrupts the normal functioning of the heart’s valves, which can lead to blood flow issues such as regurgitation and stenosis. It’s estimated to affect up to 2.5% of the U.S. population, with symptoms ranging …
Cardiac arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats that can be classified into types such as Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), Bradycardia, and Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT). These irregularities can result from heart disease, …
