Aortic valve disease is when the valve between the aorta (main artery to the body) and the left ventricle (pumping chamber in the heart) doesn’t work properly. Sometimes, the valve doesn’t close all the way, causing blood to flow backward into the heart (regurgitation), or the valve is narrow and doesn’t allow enough blood to leave the heart and flow to the body (stenosis). The disease is either present at birth or develops over time.
Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of arrhythmia, occurs when the atria beats at up to 600 times per minute, causing the chambers to quiver instead of contract effectively. A normal atria beats 60-80 times per minute.
An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of irregular heart rhythm in the United States. It originates in the atria, the heart's two upper chambers, and increases the risk of a stroke.
Carotid stenosis is the narrowing of the arteries in the neck because of fat and cholesterol deposits (plaque) within the carotid arteries. The narrowing increases the chance of a blockage, resulting in stroke when the brain does not get a sufficient blood supply. When symptoms like slurred speech and blurry vision occur, immediate medical help is necessary.
A ventricular aneurysm can be a serious complication of a heart attack. It occurs when a weakened section of the wall of one of the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart, expands and bulges like a balloon at the spot where the heart attack occurred. Symptoms of a ventricular aneurysm generally include shortness of breath, chest pain, or heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias).
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease. It occurs when one or more of the arteries that bring blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked by plaque, a sticky substance that can build up over time due to diet, age, or genetics.
Endocarditis occurs when the inner lining of the heart (endocardium) becomes infected by bacteria that damages the heart valves, which can cause strokes and affect other organs in the body.
The heart has four chambers and four valves. The valves open and close with each heartbeat to push blood forward. A valve can fail to function properly, either because it starts to leak blood backwards or because the valve starts to narrow, preventing forward flow of blood through the heart.
An aneurysm is a weakening in the wall of an artery, leading to a bulge or “ballooning.” The aorta is the body's main artery, delivering blood from the heart, though the chest (thoracic cavity) down to the abdomen and on to the rest of the body.
