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Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
Ventricular Septal Defect
What it is: A hole in the wall (septum) between the heart’s two lower chambers (ventricles).
Causes: Most commonly congenital; can occur with myocardial infarction.
Symptoms: Small VSDs may be asymptomatic; large ones cause poor feeding, rapid breathing, fatigue, heart murmur.
Treatment: Small defects may close spontaneously; larger ones require surgical repair or catheter-based closure.
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
Patent Foramen Ovale
What it is: A flap-like opening between the atria that fails to close after birth; present in about 25% of adults.
Causes: Normal fetal structure that doesn’t seal completely after birth.
Symptoms: Usually asymptomatic; may increase risk of stroke or migraine with aura.
Treatment: Often requires no treatment; closure considered for cryptogenic stroke or severe migraines.
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot
What it is: Congenital heart defect with four anatomical abnormalities; most common cyanotic heart defect.
Four defects: VSD, pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, right ventricular hypertrophy.
Symptoms: Cyanosis (especially with crying/feeding), “tet spells,” clubbing of fingers, poor growthAn increase in size and number of cells..
Treatment: Surgical repair in infancy to close VSD and relieve pulmonary obstruction.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
What it is: Genetic disorder causing abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, especially the interventricular septum.
Causes: Inherited mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteinsLarge molecules made of amino acids with various functions in the body..
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, syncope; leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
Treatment: Medications, septal myectomy, alcohol ablation, ICD placement.
Marfan Syndrome (Cardiac Effects)
Marfan Syndrome
What it is: Genetic disorder of connective tissue affecting the cardiovascular systemThe organ system that includes the heart and blood vessels, responsible for circulating blood and ox, particularly the aorta.
Causes: Mutation in FBN1 gene affecting fibrillin-1 protein; autosomal dominant inheritance.
Symptoms: Aortic root dilation, aortic aneurysm/dissection, mitral valve prolapse, arrhythmias.
Treatment: Beta-blockers to reduce aortic stress, regular monitoring, prophylactic aortic surgery if needed.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
What it is: Condition where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, reducing pumping efficiency.
Causes: Genetic mutations, viral infections, alcohol abuse, chemotherapy toxicity, idiopathic.
Symptoms: Fatigue, dyspnea, edemaExcess fluid in interstitial spaces., irregular heartbeat, reduced exercise tolerance.
Treatment: ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, device therapy, possible heart transplant.
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic Stenosis
What it is: Narrowing of the aortic valve opening, restricting blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
Causes: Calcification with age, congenital bicuspid valve, rheumatic fever.
Symptoms: Chest pain (angina), syncope, dyspnea, fatigue, heart murmur.
Treatment: Valve replacement (surgical or transcatheter), medication management.
Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)
Mitral Valve Prolapse
What it is: Condition where the mitral valve leaflets bulge back into the left atrium during systole.
Causes: Often idiopathic; can be associated with connective tissue disorders (Marfan syndrome).
Symptoms: Often asymptomatic; may cause palpitations, chest pain, fatigue, characteristic “click-murmur.”
Treatment: Usually requires no treatment; severe regurgitation may need valve repair/replacement.
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
Myocardial Infarction
What it is: Death of heart muscle tissue due to lack of oxygen, usually from coronary artery blockage.
Causes: Atherosclerosis, blood clot in coronary artery, coronary artery spasm.
Symptoms: Chest pain/pressure, pain radiating to arm/jaw, shortness of breath, nausea, diaphoresisProfuse sweating, often due to heat, stress, or medical conditions..
Treatment: Emergency PCI/stenting, medications (antiplatelets, thrombolytics), cardiac rehabilitation.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Atrial Fibrillation
What it is: Irregular and often rapid heart rhythm originating in the atria; most common arrhythmia.
Causes: Hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, hyperthyroidism, aging.
Symptoms: Palpitations, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath; increases stroke risk.
Treatment: Rate/rhythm control medications, anticoagulation, cardioversion, catheter ablation.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis
What it is: Inflammation of the pericardiumThe membrane surrounding the heart. (sac surrounding the heart).
Causes: Viral infection (most common), post-MI, autoimmune disease, trauma, uremia.
Symptoms: Sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing/lying down, relieved by sitting forward; friction rub.
Treatment: NSAIDs or colchicine for inflammation, treat underlying cause, drain fluid if tamponade develops.
Infective Endocarditis
Infective Endocarditis
What it is: Infection of the heart’s inner lining or valves, usually by bacteria.
Causes: Bacteria entering bloodstream (dental procedures, IV drug use); damaged valves more susceptible.
Symptoms: Fever, heart murmur, fatigue, night sweats, petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, Osler nodes.
Treatment: Prolonged IV antibiotics (4-6 weeks), possible valve replacement if severe damage.