The heart is one of the most important organs in our body, responsible for pumping blood and delivering oxygen to every part of our body. However, there are numerous heart conditions that can affect its function and increase the risk of heart disease.
From Atrial Fibrillation to Ventricular Septal Defect, it’s essential to understand the various heart conditions and their symptoms to maintain good heart health. In this article, we provide an alphabetical list of common heart conditions, along with a brief description of each, to help you gain a better understanding of your heart health.
Sure, here are listed heart conditions from A to Z:
- Aortic aneurysm: An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, it can cause life-threatening bleeding.
- Aortic valve stenosis: Aortic valve stenosis occurs when the aortic valve, which controls blood flow from the heart to the aorta, becomes narrowed. This can cause symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting.
- Arrhythmia: Arrhythmia is a problem with the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat. It can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Some people with arrhythmia may not have any symptoms, while others may experience palpitations, dizziness, or chest pain.
- Atrial fibrillation: Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia in which the heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly and rapidly. It can cause symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
- Atrial flutter: Atrial flutter is another type of arrhythmia in which the heart’s upper chambers beat rapidly but regularly. It can cause symptoms similar to atrial fibrillation.
- Atrial septal defect: An atrial septal defect is a hole in the wall that separates the heart’s upper chambers. This can cause blood to flow from the left to the right side of the heart, leading to symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.
- Bradycardia: Bradycardia is a type of arrhythmia in which the heart beats too slowly. It can cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath.
- Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened or enlarged, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
- Congenital heart disease: Congenital heart disease is a type of heart condition that is present at birth. It can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the specific defect, including cyanosis (a blue tint to the skin), fatigue, and shortness of breath.
- Coronary artery disease: Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels that supply the heart become narrowed or blocked, leading to symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction): A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, leading to damage to the heart muscle. It can cause symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and sweating.
- Heart failure: Heart failure occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood effectively. It can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs and feet.
- Heart valve disease: Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s valves become damaged or diseased, leading to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure): Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is higher than normal. It can lead to a variety of health problems, including heart disease and stroke.
- Mitral regurgitation: Mitral regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve, which controls blood flow between the heart’s upper and lower chambers, does not close properly. It can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and swollen ankles.
- Mitral stenosis: Mitral stenosis occurs when the mitral valve becomes narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow from the heart’s upper chamber to the lower chamber. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- Mitral valve prolapse: Mitral valve prolapse occurs when the mitral valve bulges back into the upper chamber of the heart during each heartbeat. It often does not cause any symptoms, but in some cases, it can lead to palpitations, fatigue, and chest pain.
- Pericardial effusion: Pericardial effusion occurs when there is an excess amount of fluid in the sac that surrounds the heart. This can put pressure on the heart, leading to symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Pulmonary embolism: Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow. It can cause symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood.
- Pulmonary valve stenosis: Pulmonary valve stenosis occurs when the pulmonary valve, which controls blood flow from the heart to the lungs, becomes narrowed. This can cause symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): SVT is a type of arrhythmia that causes the heart to beat too fast. It can cause symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- Ventricular fibrillation: Ventricular fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia that can be life-threatening. It occurs when the heart’s lower chambers quiver instead of contracting, preventing blood from being pumped to the rest of the body.
- Ventricular septal defect: A ventricular septal defect is a hole in the wall that separates the heart’s lower chambers. This can cause blood to flow from the left to the right side of the heart, leading to symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW): WPW is a type of arrhythmia that occurs when there is an extra electrical pathway in the heart. It can cause symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, and fainting.