Heart (Cardiology)

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm also called AAA or triple A, is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of theaorta (the largest artery in the body) resulting in an abnormal widening or ballooning greater than 50%of the normal diameter.

Angina Pectoris

Angina pectoris (or simply angina) is recurring chest pain or discomfort that happens when some part ofthe heart does not receive enough blood and oxygen.

Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the opening of the heart’s aortic valve which obstructs blood flow fromthe heart to the rest of the body.

Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are heart rhythm disorders that may originate in the atria (the receiving chambers of theheart) or the ventricles (the pumping chambers of the heart).

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a build-up of plaque in the innerlining of an artery.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia where the electrical signals in the atria (the two small chambersof the heart) are fired in a very fast and uncontrolled manner.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is any disease of the heart muscle in which the heart loses its ability to pump bloodeffectively.

Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease also called carotid artery stenosis occurs when the carotid arteries the main bloodvessels that carry oxygenated blood to the brain become narrowed.

Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects occur when the heart or related blood vessels do not develop properly beforeor at birth.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease occurs when cholesterol builds up within the walls of the heart’s arteries(coronary arteries) forming what is called plaque.

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when one or more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolongedlack of oxygen caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle.

Heart Failure

Heart failure also called congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enoughoxygenated blood to meet the needs of the body's other organs.

Heart Murmur

Heart murmurs are additional sounds made by blood flowing through the heart as it beats. Manymurmurs are harmless (innocent), but some abnormal murmurs might signal a heart problem.

Heart Valve Diseases

The heart’s valves can have one of two malfunctions - regurgitation (when the valve does notcompletely close) or stenosis (a narrowing of the valve).

High Blood Pressure / Hypertension

Blood pressure, measured with a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope by a nurse or other health careprovider is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a condition that includes the presence of a cluster of risk factors specific forcardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes, heartdisease and/or stroke.

Mitral Valve Prolapse

This detailed overview of mitral valve prolapse covers causes, symptoms and diagnosis along withsurgical treatments such as mitral valve repair.

Obesity

Obesity increases the risk for many diseases, especially heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.

Pericarditis

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac (membrane) that surrounds the heart.

Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that develops in a blood vessel elsewhere in the body (mostcommonly from the leg) travels to an artery in the lung and forms an occlusion (blockage) of the artery.

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which permanent damage to heart valves is caused byrheumatic fever.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the thoracic aorta (the largestartery in the body) resulting in an abnormal widening or ballooning.