Angina
Angina
When an artery narrows gradually over time, a patient may develop symptoms which can suggest a lack of blood flow to the muscle of the heart. These symptoms are called angina and can vary widely between patients. Symptoms can include pain, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, shortness of breath or fatigue with exertion, exertional heartburn, or pain or discomfort in the neck, jaw, or back with activity.
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic Stenosis is a condition when the aortic valve becomes thickened and less mobile leading an increase in the pressure required for the heart to circulate blood through the body. Aortic stenosis is often a product of aging but can occur in younger patients due to congenital (inherited) conditions. Under normal circumstances, very little energy is required to open and close the valves of the heart. When aortic stenosis occurs, the heart begins to strain to circulate blood. In mild or moderate cases, the heart is able to compensate for the increased pressure required to eject blood. However, over years the heart muscle thickens to accommodate the obstruction of flow and will become stiffer, further increasing the pressure in the heart. When aortic stenosis becomes severe it can result in symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, arrhythmias, and fainting. If left untreated, it can result in death.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia
The heart is a muscle made up of hundreds, if not thousands, of individual muscle cells that need to contract in concert for the heart to function normally. Disorders of the electrical system are called arrhythmias and the specialists within cardiology who treat arrhythmias are electrophysiologists. Arrhythmias can be minor conditions that are not a threat to life or health while others can be life threatening. Treatments can range from observation and lifestyle modification to drug therapy and ablation.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
The heart is a muscle made up of hundreds, if not thousands, of individual muscle cells that need to contract in concert for the heart to function normally. Disorders of the electrical system are called arrhythmias and the specialists within cardiology who treat arrhythmias are electrophysiologists. Arrhythmias can be minor conditions that are not a threat to life or health while others can be life threatening. Treatments can range from observation and lifestyle modification to drug therapy and ablation.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation(AF) is an electrical condition that falls under the arrhythmia category of cardiovascular diseases. AF is one of the most common arrhythmias and one of the most common cardiovascular conditions overall affecting close to 3 million Americans. AF is caused by a series of short circuits within the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). As a result, the normal electrical system of the heart does not function normally. AF can be caused by several conditions including high blood pressure, valvular heart conditions, lung problems, and others. Patients with atrial fibrillation can be asymptomatic but can also suffer from palpitations (a sensation of the heart beating irregularly), fatigue, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, swelling, chest pain, and other symptoms. The short circuits in the upper chambers cause them to quiver (fibrillate) rather than contract normally. Sometimes the lower chambers of the heart will beat irregularly as well, sometimes at a very rapid rate. As a result of the quivering upper chambers, blood may not flow normally through them. When blood does not flow normally through those upper chambers, blood clots can form which can cause one of the most devastating complications of the condition - a stroke.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a series of conditions that result in an increased pressure within the heart and causes symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, fatigue, and an inability to exercise. At times this condition is due to a weakened heart muscle, a stiff heart muscle, valvular heart disease, or other conditions that may further result in life threatening complications.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a spectrum of diseases that affects the arteries of the heart. The heart requires blood flow like any other organ and that flow is supplied by arteries. The heart is unique in that it needs to supply its own flow. When that flow becomes impaired then the heart suffers from ischemia - a dysfunction related to a lack of oxygen and nutrients.
Heart Murmurs
Heart Murmurs
Valvular heart disease can result in heart murmurs which can be heard during a physical examination. If your doctor is concerned about a heart murmur, they might arrange an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram) or refer you to our office for an evaluation. At times, patients, or families themselves will opt to be evaluated by a cardiologist for peace of mind if they have a heart murmur or symptoms of valvular heart disease. If you do have a problem with your heart valve, there are many therapeutic options available. At times, minor conditions may not require any specific therapy beyond a healthy lifestyle.
High Cholesterol
High Cholesterol
High Cholesterol is a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases. At times, high cholesterol is a product of inherited (genetic) factors or a combination of genetics and diet.
Hypertension
Hypertension
High blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is when your blood pressure, the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels, is consistently too high. Hypertension is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. If left untreated, it can result in serious complications including strokes, kidney failure, heart failure, or heart attack. When treated correctly, those complications can be avoided.
Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Mitral Valve Regurgitation
The mitral valve is a structure on the left side of the heart that prevents blood from flowing backwards when the left ventricle (main pumping chamber) contracts. Like other valves, when the mitral valve works normally it can open easily and fully prevents backflow of blood into the left upper chamber of the heart. One of the more common diseases of the mitral valve is mitral regurgitation (MR). In MR, the valve cannot adequately prevent blood from flowing backwards when it is fully closed. In mild conditions, the heart can tolerate the increased blood volume that remains in the heart when MR occurs. However, over time MR can worsen and the amount of blood flowing backwards can strain the heart causing the heart to dilate and weaken. If left untreated, severe MR can result in heart failure which can present as shortness of breath, fatigue, leg swelling, and other symptoms. While even severe MR can be treated medically for a time, ultimately the heart will fail beyond the point where medical therapy can work and patients can die as a result.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Artery Disease
(PAD) is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries that carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body. The most common type is lower-extremity PAD, in which blood flow is reduced to the legs and feet. PAD affects millions of Americans but can be vastly underrecognized. If left untreated, PAD can cause complications in the organ that the artery supplies. Narrowing in the carotid arteries leading to the brain can lead to a stroke. Narrowing of the arteries of the legs can lead to leg pain with exertion called claudication or result in complications including amputation. Atherosclerosis of the aorta can lead to aneurysms which can result in life threatening tears or ruptures
Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack
Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack
A stroke is a condition when there is a permanent lack of blood flow to a segment of the brain. A temporary lack of blood flow is sometimes referred to as a “mini-stroke” and are known as transient ischemic attacks (TIA). Strokes can be caused by several mechanisms including cholesterol/plaque build up in the arteries leading to the brain or electrical disturbances of the heart that can cause clots to form in the heart that can then travel to the brain. Often, such strokes occur in older patients with other medical conditions.
Valvular Heart Disease
Valvular Heart Disease
In order for blood to flow correctly within the heart as it contracts, valves open and close to ensure orderly flow. Most adults have four heart valves, two on the left side of the heart and two on the right. Disorders of valvular function (valvular heart disease - https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease/about-heart-valves) can result in alterations in the flow of blood within the heart and can impair heart function over time. Valvular heart disease can be present at birth (congenital) or acquired as a product of aging or other diseases like infections.