Cardiology Guide

Persistent elevation of blood pressure above 130/80 mmHg. Often called the 'silent killer' as it typically has no symptoms but increases risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Managed through lifestyle changes and medications.

Narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to plaque buildup, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. Leading cause of heart attacks. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

Condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Causes fluid buildup, shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling. Can affect left side, right side, or both chambers of the heart.

Irregular, often rapid heart rhythm originating in the upper chambers. Increases stroke risk and causes palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Most common type of arrhythmia affecting millions worldwide.

Abnormal heart rhythms that can be too fast, too slow, or irregular. Range from harmless to life-threatening. Symptoms include palpitations, dizziness, chest discomfort, and fainting.

Chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Often described as pressure, squeezing, or heaviness. Can be stable (predictable) or unstable (medical emergency).

Occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, causing tissue damage. Symptoms include chest pain, arm pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating. Requires immediate emergency treatment.

Disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. Can be dilated, hypertrophic, or restrictive. May lead to heart failure or irregular heartbeats.

Damage or defect in one of the four heart valves affecting blood flow. Can involve stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leaking). May require medication or surgical repair/replacement.

Inflammation of the pericardium (sac surrounding the heart). Causes sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing or lying down. Often viral in origin but can have other causes.

Inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by viral infections. Can affect heart's ability to pump and cause rapid or abnormal heart rhythms. May resolve on its own or require treatment.

Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Major risk factor for atherosclerosis and heart disease. Managed through diet, exercise, and cholesterol-lowering medications.

Buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in artery walls, causing them to narrow and harden. Reduces blood flow and can lead to heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease.

Narrowing of peripheral arteries, usually in the legs, reducing blood flow. Causes leg pain with walking (claudication), numbness, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Blood clot formation in deep veins, usually in the legs. Can cause pain, swelling, and warmth. Dangerous if clot breaks loose and travels to lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Blockage of pulmonary artery by blood clot, usually from legs. Causes sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and can be life-threatening. Requires immediate medical attention.

Abnormal bulging or ballooning of the aorta wall. Can occur in chest (thoracic) or abdomen. Risk of rupture increases with size. Often asymptomatic until complications occur.

Abnormal heart sounds caused by turbulent blood flow. Can be innocent (harmless) or indicate valve problems or structural defects. Detected during physical examination with stethoscope.

Abnormally slow heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute. Can cause fatigue, dizziness, and fainting. May be normal in athletes or indicate underlying heart problems.

Abnormally fast heart rate, typically above 100 beats per minute at rest. Can originate in upper or lower chambers. Causes palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

Life-threatening arrhythmia where ventricles quiver instead of pumping blood. Causes sudden cardiac arrest. Requires immediate defibrillation and CPR for survival.

Rapid heart rhythm originating above the ventricles. Episodes can start and stop suddenly. Causes palpitations, lightheadedness, and chest discomfort. Often treatable with medications or ablation.

Delay or complete block in electrical signal transmission through the heart. Ranges from mild (first-degree) to severe (third-degree). May require pacemaker implantation.

Malfunction of heart's natural pacemaker (SA node) causing irregular heartbeats. Alternates between slow and fast rhythms. Common in elderly and may require pacemaker.

Improper closure of mitral valve where leaflets bulge back into left atrium. Often benign but can cause palpitations, chest pain, and rarely, severe regurgitation requiring surgery.

Narrowing of aortic valve opening, restricting blood flow from heart to body. Causes chest pain, fainting, and shortness of breath. Progressive condition often requiring valve replacement.

Backward flow of blood through mitral valve into left atrium. Can be acute or chronic. Causes fatigue, shortness of breath, and may lead to heart failure if severe.

Leakage of tricuspid valve allowing blood to flow backward into right atrium. Often secondary to other heart conditions. Can cause swelling, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat.

Infection of heart's inner lining and valves, usually bacterial. Causes fever, heart murmur, and can damage valves. Risk increased with artificial valves or congenital heart defects.

Heart valve damage caused by rheumatic fever following untreated strep throat. Can affect mitral and aortic valves. Preventable with prompt treatment of strep infections.

Structural heart problems present at birth affecting chambers, valves, or blood vessels. Range from simple holes to complex malformations. Many require surgical correction in childhood.

Failure of fetal blood vessel to close after birth, allowing blood to bypass lungs. Can cause heart failure if large. Often closes spontaneously or requires surgical closure.

Hole in wall between heart's upper chambers allowing abnormal blood flow. Can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and arrhythmias. May close naturally or require surgical repair.

Hole in wall between heart's lower chambers. Most common congenital heart defect. Small defects may close on their own; larger ones require surgical repair to prevent complications.

Complex congenital heart defect involving four abnormalities causing oxygen-poor blood to flow to body. Causes blue-tinged skin (cyanosis). Requires surgical correction in infancy.

Narrowing of the aorta, usually near ductus arteriosus. Causes high blood pressure in arms and low pressure in legs. Typically repaired surgically in childhood.

Abnormal thickening of heart muscle, especially the septum, making it harder to pump blood. Genetic condition that can cause sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Managed with medications or surgery.

Enlargement and weakening of heart's main pumping chamber. Reduces heart's ability to pump blood effectively. Can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and blood clots.

Stiffening of heart muscle making it difficult for ventricles to fill with blood. Least common type of cardiomyopathy. Can be caused by infiltrative diseases like amyloidosis.

Life-threatening condition where fluid accumulates in pericardium, compressing the heart. Prevents heart from filling properly. Requires emergency drainage of fluid.

High blood pressure in arteries leading to lungs. Makes heart work harder to pump blood through lungs. Causes shortness of breath, fatigue, and can lead to right heart failure.

Condition causing blood vessels in fingers and toes to narrow in response to cold or stress. Causes color changes (white, blue, red) and numbness. Usually benign but can indicate other conditions.

Inflammation of blood vessels causing them to thicken, narrow, or weaken. Can affect vessels of any size. Symptoms depend on affected organs and may include fever, fatigue, and organ damage.

Sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from sitting or lying position. Causes dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Common in elderly and those on blood pressure medications.

Temporary loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood flow to brain. Can be caused by heart rhythm problems, low blood pressure, or other conditions. Requires evaluation to determine cause.

Assessment of chest discomfort to determine cardiac vs. non-cardiac causes. Involves history, physical exam, ECG, and possibly stress testing or imaging. Critical for identifying heart attacks and angina.

Sensation of rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat. Can be normal or indicate arrhythmias. Evaluation includes ECG monitoring to capture rhythm during symptoms.

Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in body tissues, especially legs and ankles. Can indicate heart failure, kidney disease, or venous insufficiency. Managed with diuretics and treating underlying cause.

Leg pain or cramping during walking due to inadequate blood flow. Classic symptom of peripheral artery disease. Pain typically resolves with rest and returns with activity.

Supervised program of exercise, education, and counseling for heart disease patients. Helps improve cardiovascular health, reduce risk factors, and enhance quality of life after heart events or procedures.