Your heart pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout your body, and in order for it to function properly, every part of it needs to work efficiently. Unfortunately, there are a variety of cardiac conditions that can cause a hinderance in how your heart functions. As a result, you may experience a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and put your life at risk.
Here are some common cardiac conditions that you should be aware of:
Arrhythmia
Often referred to as an abnormal heart rhythm, arrhythmia is caused by a problem with the heart’s electrical system, causing it to beat too slowly or too quickly. An irregular heart beat may be detected through a physical exam or an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). Patients with arrhythmia may experience chest pain, dizziness, and fainting, although it isn’t always necessary to experience symptoms. Many arrhythmias are no cause for concern, although some can be life-threatening. Your doctor can run some tests and determine if your arrhythmia is a serious issue.
Hypertension
Commonly known as high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, hypertension is characterized by an increased pressure of blood against your artery walls. Symptoms include headaches, shortness of breath, nausea, exhaustion, and chest pain. However, it is also common to experience no symptoms at all and find out you have the condition through a blood test.
Coronary Heart Disease
This is a cardiac condition characterized by damage to the major blood vessels, the coronary arteries, due to a narrowing or blockage. Usually, a buildup of plaque in the arteries causes the blockage. Patients with coronary heart disease have an increased risk of heart complications, and oftentimes, only find out they have the disease after having experienced a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
Heart Attack
Also known as myocardial infarction, a heart attack happens when the blood supply to your heart suddenly gets blocked. Time is of the essence for a person experiencing a heart attack, since a delayed response can lead to permanent damage of heart tissue that fails to receive blood. The sudden blockage is usually caused by a rupture of plaque material in the arteries and the formation of a blood clot on the plaque’s surface. Knowing the early signs of a heart attack can save your life.
Heart Failure
A weakened pumping of the heart over time can lead to heart failure. Efficient pumping of the heart is necessary to send blood throughout the body and also to the heart. Heart diseases and other health conditions that are not treated or properly managed can lead to a weakened pumping of the heart and eventually heart failure.
Cardiac Condition Diagnosis Treatment in Irmo, SC
The providers at SC internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation provide high-quality care for adults with cardiac conditions. We can also help manage chronic diseases that put you at risk of developing cardiac conditions.
Find out how we can enhance your well-being. Call SC internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation at (803) 749-1111 for a consultation or request an appointment online now to meet with one of our physicians.
