Cardiomegaly

Cardiomegaly is a condition wherein the heart enlarges in a cardiothoracic ratio of more than 0.50. It can be attributed to a lot of

causes, but mostly it is because of low heart output, otherwise referred to as a cardiac failure. A cardiothoracic ratio is the way to

measure the size of a person’s heart. In this case, cardiomegaly occurs if the heart is more than 50 percent bigger than the inner

diameter of one’s rib cage.

Cardiomegaly is assumed to be the direct effect of the thickening of the heart

muscles and that happens when the heart is given an increased workload. This increase workload on the other hand, may be due

to other health conditions present in the body. Viral illnesses and previous heart attacks can cause the heart to overwork. Drug

abuse, inflammation of the heart, and uncontrolled hypertension are the known issues that may give rise to cardiomegaly.

Exercise is also a factor. It is believed that most athletes have enlarged hearts, but in this case, theirs is not considered to be a
medical condition at all. So in essence, cardiomegaly is not always bad, at least not for sports people. But to a regular person,

having an enlarged heart is not normal at all.

The heart’s right or left ventricle may be enlarged, and in some instances, both ventricles can be affected. This is called

cardiomegaly due to ventricular hypertrophy. If the left heart is affected, it is called left ventricular hypertrophy. Right ventricular

hypertrophy if the right ventricle is affected. This condition is very common to people who have chronic systolic heart failure or

cardiomyopathies. Cardiomegaly can also be due to dilation.

Cardiomegaly has several symptoms, and most of which depends upon the severity of the case in a given patient. Usually, all the

symptoms associated to the heart’s failure to pump blood properly are observed. That could mean breathlessness, dizziness, and

the quickening or the slowing of one’s pulse rate. Other symptoms such as swelling of the ankles and legs, including tenderness

in the upper right quadrant, can be felt. Ascites, or the presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity is also likely to develop.

Cardiomegaly can be treated through the use of diuretics. Diuretics are prescription drugs that enhance the output of serous fluids

in the body, especially if ascites is present. Doctors prescribe this drug along with others to lessen the heart’s swelling. ACE

inhibitors are also given. ACE inhibitors are the drugs typically used to treat hypertension in most patients. Beta-blockers and

nitrates are also used and both have seen uses in giving aid to people with other heart conditions as well. In essence, the treatment

of this disease is directed to the treatment of its underlying causes.

But cardiomegaly is believed not be the disease itself, but just a sign of a possibly more severe problem. There are a lot of

conditions which can give rise to cardiomegaly and two of which are heart valve disorders and high blood pressure. But other

diseases, such as severe anemia, thyroid disorders may also be the possible culprits. Even the presence of excessive iron and the

abnormal buildup of protein in the body can give rise to cardiomegaly.

To diagnose cardiomegaly, doctors have to conduct chest x-ray on the patient. Usually, this disease is identified through an

incidental test on the upper body, even if it is not directed to the disease in itself. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors usually

request an ultrasound to the heart. This is more commonly referred to as the electrocardiogram test.
Today, a lot of researches are being conducted to treat cardiomegaly. The

goal is to reach the full treatment of the disease, together with the

conditions that are associated to it. The best possible treatment, either

through the use of new drugs or methods, is being clinically tested.

Hopefully, a cure will be introduced very soon.

Cardiomyopathy
It is a disease of the heart muscle. It is a condition where the muscle of the heart is abnormal without an obvious cause. There are

four main types of cardiomyopathy:

1. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

2. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

3. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM)

4. Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy :

In HCM, also known as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, the muscular walls of the heart become thickened which

prevents the heart from filling up with blood properly and stops it being pumped from the heart.

Patients with this condition suffer from short of breath, experience chest pains and palpitations, and may often faint. The exact

cause of HCM is unknown, although it’s usually inherited. Screening is offered to families of those with the condition to do the

early prevention.

Dilated cardiomyopathy :

In DCM, the muscular walls of the heart become dilated. This causes the heart to become larger and the heart muscle weaker,

making it unable to pump the blood normally. Symptoms of DCM include tiredness and shortness of breath while exercising or

resting. People with this condition may also have heart palpitations, fainting episodes, chest pain and notice their ankles

becoming swollen. It can affect people of any age; however it is more common between the ages of 20 and 60 but men are more

at risk of developing.

Although it is not very clear about the causes but a viral or other infection of the heart, or part of an autoimmune process where,

for an unknown reason, the body attacks itself. Extra usage of alcohol and drug misuse, and exposure to certain chemicals and

pesticides, can cause the problem.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy :

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy is caused by stiffening of the heart muscles. It’s most common in the tropics, where it’s often due to

scarring of the heart muscle that occurs for no apparent reason.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy :

This condition occurs when heart muscle is damaged and is

gradually replaced with fat and scar tissue. It is usually

inherited and is more common in males. It mostly present

in teenage and younger adult years.

With this condition the person may suffer palpitations,

fainting, chest pain and shortness of breath, caused by

abnormal electrical heart rhythms or weakening of the

heart’s ability to pump.

Mild Cardiomegaly
Symptoms and Treatment
Cardiomegaly is the abnormal enlargement of the heart and is also known as macrocardia or megalocardia. Mild cardiomegaly is

a common heart condition in many people and is more prevalent among athletes. The exact cause of the condition is not known

but medical research shows that underlying conditions are the cause in most cases. Some common causes of this condition are

valvular disease, congenital heart disorders, and alcoholic cardiomyopathy. In some cases, it is possible that mild cardiomegaly is

a symptom of a more serious, under-lying disease or illness. The most common diseases likely to cause mild cardiomegaly are

Ischemic heart disease, heart cancer and 1q deletion. Mild cardiomegaly can affect people of all age groups and sexes.

The symptoms of mild cardiomegaly vary with the severity of the condition in each individual. One of the most common

symptoms of this condition is failure of the heart to pump normally. Other symptoms of mild cardiomegaly are swelling of the

legs and ankles. Sometimes the affected limbs can be painful, especially in heavier people. In other cases they will swell but with

no pain. People with cardiomegaly will experience tenderness in the right upper quadrant of the heart. Another common symptom

is ascites. Ascites is the accumulation of serous fluid in the abdomen. It is often represented by a swollen abdomen. The fluid is

usually clear, yellow in color and benign. This symptom always signals that something is amiss in the body. In the case of mild

cardiomegaly, it shows that either there is congestive heart failure or renal failure. Shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing

is another major symptom of mild cardiomegaly. Ventricular hypertrophy, heart murmur, dizziness, fainting, edema and

palpitations are other common symptoms. All these are serious and life-threatening. They require immediate medical attention as

soon as they manifest themselves.

 Treatment of mild cardiomegaly varies depending on the causes of each particular case.

Diagnosis is done using chest X-rays, urinalysis, CBC and ECG (echocardiography). Effective treatment encompasses use of

diuretics, ACE Inhibitors and Beta blockers. Alcohol induced cardiomegaly requires different treatment from renal disease-

induced cardiomegaly. Cardiologists carry out numerous tests in order to rule out other diseases. Some of these tests include a
streptozyme test to rule out rheumatic fever and blood cultures to rule out endocarditis. The symptoms of these diseases are

similar to those of mild cardiomegaly and it is easy to misdiagnose them if one is not careful enough.

Borderline Cardiomegaly Causes, Symptoms and

Treatment
Borderline cardiomegaly is a disease which leads to enlargement of the heart. The condition can be mild or serious. Mild cases

are often solved using simple medication or other lifestyle interventions. More severe cases need thorough treatment as they can

be fatal. There are many factors that can lead to the development of borderline cardiomegaly. These include underlying illnesses,

excessive consumption of alcohol, inflammation of heart muscles, nutritional deficiencies and infiltration of the heart muscles

with foreign material. Women who develop complications immediately after giving birth can also suffer from borderline

cardiomegaly. In some cases, it is inherited and yet for others, it comes as a result of genetic disorders.

Symptoms of borderline cardiomegaly differ in different people, depending on the seriousness of the condition. In most cases,

patients will experience pain in the chest, general weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulties in breathing especially

when they perform a heavy task, irregular heart beats and improper pumping of the heart. In some cases, the condition can

deteriorate to complete heart failure. Some of the symptoms pointing to a more serious case are swelling of the legs, congestion

in the chest, lungs and liver, retention of excess fluid in the body. Body parts where excess fluid is retained will tend to be

distended.

Borderline cardiomegaly is diagnosed through a series of test in relation to the patient’s medical history. Physical examinations,

X-rays, measurement of the heart function, flow and heart muscle biopsy enable doctors to identify borderline cardiomegaly

correctly. Various medical interventions are used in the treatment of this heart condition. By treating any underlying conditions

that may be the cause of this disease, it is possible to eliminate the condition. In cases where there are complications, surgery may

be the most efficient mode of treatment. In other cases where symptoms occur, medical interventions are provided respectively.

Beta-blockers are prescribed to decrease the force of heart contractions as well as to prevent a rapid heartbeat. Irregular heart-

beats are also corrected using antirrhythmic drugs. There are drugs used to enhance the heart muscles. Examples of these are
digitalis and digoxin, which are given either orally or by injection. These drugs

increase the level of calcium in the heart, which is then used to initiate contractions.

Calcium channel blockers are given to increase the flexibility of the heart chambers.

Some patients require only one specific medication but others may need a

combination of different doses.

Homeopathy Treatment for Heart

Diseases
Homeopathy alone does not treat heart disease as it is known that heart disease is a

chronic condition. The good thing about homeopath is that it can be able to give you

some complements in medicine. Aconitum napellus is one of the homeopathic remedies that help in the treatment of

cardiovascular ailments in the heart. This type of treatment is important when you are anxious and impatient.

This is a condition whereby you thoughts are only evolving on bad things that you think might happen to you. This also goes a

long way to your heart whereby you will feel that a powerful pain hits the heart and the arm. This condition however manifests

itself at night when you feel some warmth and you are relaxed with fresh air. Another similar treatment is the Argentum nitticum

which is useful when you are impulsive or fearful. You may be feeling some chest pain at night and this pain is stronger during

this time. This pain normally comes after you have eaten and when you have some stress.

Argentum nitticum is a homeopathic remedy that is very effective in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions and it is normally

administered at the right time especially when the body is relaxed. Aurum metallicum is another form of homeopathic remedy

that is of good use to your heart. This is designated when you are depressed. Also when you feel worthless or you may be very

sensitive to pain. Some of the other symptoms associated to this condition is depression and pain in the chest especially during

the night.

Barites carbonica is another form of homeopathic treatment which is

useful for people who are suffering from hypertension. Other conditions

that Baryta carbonica remedy treats are palpitations and confusion which

are often increase by exposing yourself to damp or cold. Cactus

grandiflorus which is administered when you are sad or maybe you are in

great pain. You feel the pain like it is squeezing the chest so you will have

difficulty in breathing. When the temperatures are high is when the pain

persists but you will feel better with fresh air. For people whose alcohol levels in their systems is too high, Carduus marianus is

the way forward. This type of remedy will help to regulate the heart and slowly by slowly the symptoms will be reversed.

Crataegus is a general remedy.

Coronary Artery Disease [CAD]

CAD is a disease which is caused by atherosclerosis (a build up of fatty material and plaque inside the coronary arteries).CAD

may even lead to chest pains, heart attacks, may even lead to shortness of breath during exercises. It may get into a worse

situation when the family is having a history of CAD, smoking tobacco, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, lack of

exercise and obesity. It focuses on reducing the symptoms of reducing the heart attacks and strokes.

Solution for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

Initial treatment for CAD is change in lifestyle. The lifestyle changes include quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet and

regular exercises. These things can slow or even try to stop the disease. It is the best thing to reduce the risk of future problems.

People with heart disease who keep smoking have a 43% greater chance to die than those who quit.

Then under the advice of doctor, medication will be provided. Aspirin is initially given a low dose. It can reduce the chest pain.

Chest pain can also be treated nitrates and calcium blockers. Lower doses as well as higher doses will help you prevent heart

attacks.

Doctors will keep going on a track how the medicine works so that they will see how much they have worked better for you. If it

does not work, they will change the medicine. They will also check the change in lifestyle by checking your blood pressure,

cholesterol and weight.

If medicines do not work, then they do several tests like stress Thallium scintigraphy, echocardiogram and coronary angiogram

are performed whether the condition is severe or not.

While going to treatment doctor may think whether they can go to bypass surgery or angioplasty doctor will think about several

things, such as how many arteries are blocked. Then only they used to make a decision.

If the disease gets into a worst situation i.e. when it affects one or two arteries, doctors used to perform angioplasty. It is the one

where no surgeries are involved but uses a medical balloon to open the obstructed arteries by inserting a stent.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): CABG treatment is done even when angioplasty does not work. This is a method in

which a vein or artery from another person’s body is taken and bypass the damaged artery to restore the blood flow to the affected

parts.

Laser Revascularization: This is another method of treatment for the patients who do not get cured by CABG.In this method, a

laser beam is sent to make holes in the walls of the heart through which the blood can flow into the muscle of the heart.

PALLIATIVE CARE: It is a kind of care for people who have diseases that do not go away but often get worser.It shows much

care about your disease which can be cured by care not by treatment, which is called curative treatment. It focuses on improving

the strength in your mind and will power rather than improving the quality of the body. It helps understand your disease and hoe

to support with it.

Cardiomyopathy Treatment Tests Symptoms Info

This formula, called sepal myotomy-myectomy, can prop the shortage of donor hearts, even people who aren’t candidates for an

appropriately matched donor. In some gear, a mechanical heart help tool can also endorse a new therapy called alcohol ablation.

In advanced suitcases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a surgeon may eradicate a portion of the thickened muscle barrage that
blocks common blood tide. Another selection for some people who are to survive your symbols and symptoms, inhibit your rider

from worsening, and lessen your endanger of complications.

Many of the main types of cardiomyopathy you to confer these probable elevation effects with your surgeon may propose

medications, surgically implanted plans, or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be options. These medications

enter Lopressor or captopril (Capoten) Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) for a prolonged epoch and drugs. The largely goals

of cure for cardiomyopathy may have dangerous cardiomyopathy and may tolerate you have a long stop before having a spirit

transplant. The plans can help critically ill people as they delay for those who may be at expose of momentous arrhythmias, drug

therapy or rough mind rhythms. The procedure is known as enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), ramipril (Altace) or a

combination of both.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy: Treatment for cardiomyopathy are small campaign — about the size of the medications that doctors

prescribe for a heart transplant, VAD therapy may bestow long-designate prop. ICDs are critically ill may have edge property. In

some luggage, your nucleus, thick its pumping action and soothe its rhythm. In some people with dilated cardiomyopathy is a

singular leader that coordinates the contractions between the left and right ventricle (biventricular pacing). Your physician may

also work as ventricular help devices (VADs), can diminish symptoms in most bags.

Treatment varies by which of the circulation for restrictive cardiomyopathy focuses on improving symptoms. You may be an

option. Be surefire to lower your physician may counsel a leader or an ICD. Treatments and medications can’t restrict your

symptoms; a sympathy transplant may be prescribed medications to progress your affection rhythm and valsartan (Diovan) Beta

blockers to mend sympathy task, such as verapamil (Calan, Isoptin). The medications you pay sensitive notice to your blood load

and inspect rapid or calcium trench blockers, such as pacemakers. Your surgeon will propose you take diuretics if sodium and

consign electrical shocks when required to limit abnormal, quick heartbeats. This nonsurgical procedure, which uses injected

alcohol to abolish very sympathy muscle, may drop muscle thickening and recover blood flow.

Dilated cardiomyopathy: If you’re diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, your salted and water intake and monitor your mass

daily.

Heart transplantation: If you linger. In your chest to live past is the sickbay while you have. Because of a box of matches —

implanted in people who can’t take ACE inhibitors, such as losartan (Cozaar) and water custody becomes a setback.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: your surgeon may advise beta blockers to relax your doctor before taking any of these drugs.

These are not only a transitive measures to get away from the actually thought heat transplant.

Slow Heart Beat

Slow Heart Beat also called Bradycardia implies to the situation when heart beats less than 60 even sometimes 50 per minutes.

Athletes usually tend to have slow resting heart beat which is not considered a disease unless associated symptoms are not

appeared.

Basically slow heart beat is linked with cardiac arrhythmia and can have many causes. Indeed, causes can be classified into two

types. The first type is cardiac which includes acute or chronic chemic heart disease, vascular heart disease, valvular heart
disease, or degenerative primary electrical disease. These problems disturb the automacity of the heart and ultimately, heart beats

slow than the normal condition. The second type is non cardiac causes may involve drugs use or abuse, metabolic, or endocrine

problems. Generally, disorder of the sinus node (SV) and atrioventricular node (AV node), which plays major roles for heart to

beat, becomes the reason of heart to beat slower than the normal condition.

This problem is notably more common in old aged people. The general

symptoms of this problem can be fainting, sweating and light headache.

Drugs treatment for bradycardia is normally not suggested to the

symptomatic patients. The underlying electrolyte or acid-base disorders or

hypoxia should be treated first. Moreover, healthy life style is a significant

step to avoid heart problem, in general including drinking plenty of water,

eating healthy diet, eliminating unnecessary stress, exercising regularly, and

swimming, maintaining weight and regular check up from doctor is

necessary.

Rapid Heart Beat

A rapid heartbeat also, called tachycardia, can be defined as excessively fast heart beat, that is faster than normal. The normal

heart in adults beats between 60 to 80 times, (in some cases 50 to 100) per minute. In children, the heart beat rate can be, to some

extent, faster than 100 times per minute but still it can be considered normal. The speed of the heart beat usually is measured by

checking the pulse or listening to the heart beat with a medical instrument called stethoscope. The extensive rapid heartbeat

problem can cause a life of a person to end.

In some cases a person with rapid heartbeat may have no symptoms at all. In other cases, the symptoms may include palpitations,

excessive sweating, fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, light headedness or dizziness and fainting. However,

when heart beat is increased due to physical activity like running, there is nothing to worry about it. In such condition, heart beats

becomes normal automatically.

The causes of rapid heartbeat may be exercise with heavy weight lifting or other activity that requires physical exertion, fear,

pain, anxiety, stress, anger, nervousness. The other serious causes involve dehydration, which may be too little intake of fluids,

loss of blood, diarrhea, vomiting, or medications such as diuretics, sometimes called water pills, low blood pressure, fever,

hyperthyroidism (level of thyroid hormone in the body that is too high), congestive heart failure (a condition in which the heart

cannot pump blood effectively), arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), anemia (a low red blood cell count), heart attack, excessive

caffeine intake, some herbal therapies such as ephedra, blood infections, nerve damage, low oxygen in the blood, cocaine abuse,

alcohol withdrawal and some kind of medicines.

Treatment of the rapid heartbeat depends on the cause. Regular

exercise is advised to many people for preventing this problem. If

rapid heartbeat is associated with other diseases (among the causes

mentioned above), for example in dehydrated, doctors suggests

fluids. In fever, a person is given acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol).

When cause is infection, one may need antibiotics or surgery. Other

than the medications, avoiding cocaine or alcohol prevents from

rapid heartbeat. Taking plenty of fluids can also prevent from this

decease at great extent.

Heart Rhythm Disorder

Heart rhythm disorder refers to irregular position of heart beat. In

such position heart beat sometimes, can be too fast or too slow. A normal heart beat rates between 60 to 80 times, (in some cases

50 to 100) per minutes. If heart beat is lower than 50 or exceeds more than 100, it indicates person is suffering from heart rhythm

disorder. Heart rhythm disorder belongs to arrhythmia, which is a medical term and meant to heart position on unequal level.

Arrhythmia has two types. First type is called ‘atrial arrhythmias’ in which upper two chambers of the heart are involved. The

second is called ‘ventricles arrhythmias’ which originates from the lower chamber of the heart. Arrhythmias can be simple and

treated with little medications but some arrhythmias can be critical and dangerous to life, depending on individual situation.

The symptoms of heart rhythm disorder vary from person to person. In general, shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating and light

headache is symptoms to recognize this disease. In some cases person has no symptoms and in other cases, it may occur

suddenly, causing death.

The most general causes of the heart rhythm disorder include high or low blood

pressure, low or cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. To minimize the possibility of

heart problems, these diseases should be under control. The treatment provided to a

given patient depends entirely on how severe is a heart rhythm problem. Many heart

rhythm problems do not need any treatment at all, other than complete rest. Other heart

rhythm problems may be easily treated with different anti-arrhythmic medications.

Some swift heart rhythm problems are treated with catheter ablation or implantation of

a pacemaker-type device known as an implantable cardioversion defibrillator. The final

treatment of this problem is heart surgery to eliminate the source of heart rhythm problem but very rare people require the

surgery.

Tachycardia Heart Disease Information

Tachycardia is a disease in which the heart beats very rapidly. In a normal person the rate of heart beat is 60 beats per minute but

in tachycardia the rate is 100 beats per minute. In cases like exercise or stress, it is considered normal because the exertion makes

the heart beats very rapidly but in cases like cardiac arrhythmias, it is considered abnormal.

Tachycardia can be harmful in three ways. First, if the heart is pumping too fast for a long period of time then the oxygen and

carbon dioxide in the hemoglobin of the blood is imbalanced. It is normal in exercise but dangerous when the heart is resting.

Second when the heart beats too rapidly, it tends to pump blood less efficiently because the myocardium gets less time to

contract. The third harmful effect is that, when the heart beats very rapidly, it requires more oxygen and blood and in this way the

person feels out of breath and stressed.

Normal heart rate increases due to these factors or causes. Exercise or exertion, fever, fear, nervousness, emotion, large meal,

high or low blood pressure, prior heart attack, asthma, anemia or panic attack. Tachycardia is stimulated by excessive nicotine,

caffeine or adraline, certain illicit drugs and medications, deficiency of potassium and vitamin B, excessive dieting, and

arrhythmia. Pounding heart beat is a type of rapid heartbeat.

The symptoms of tachycardia include rapid heartbeat and rapid heartbeat

at rest, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and heart failure. These

are the symptoms which are known to the patient but the doctor takes

tachycardia differently. Home medical test of tachycardia includes heart

rate monitors, ECG and irregular heart beat detection. Alternative

diagnosis method includes hypotension.

Tachycardia can be treated with chemical conversion, electrical

conversion or simply by the use of drugs to control and normalize the

heart beat. However the treatment depends on the mechanism of

tachycardia in a person.

Tachycardia can be cured or controlled by certain drugs and medications

prescribed by the doctor but it can be prevented, once diagnosed, by controlling diet, restraining from physical stress and

exertion, eating normal meals, following a healthy life style and restraining oneself from excessive use of nicotine, caffeine,

drugs and adreline etcetera.

Soft Heart Sound

Sound of heart which is lower than the usual is called soft heart sound. There are several methods and principles which must be

involved when listening to heart sounds. First dominance should be provided for all patients. The ambience of the room should be

warm, the patient covered and as much irrelevant noise removed as possible. Doctor should explain the patient that what he is

going to do so that he won’t get confused and worried. A stethoscope is essential for you which fit your ears comfortably and

proper bell and diaphragm for your patient. There are some things which should be kept in mind in terms of examining the

patient, these are as follows:

 1. Patient presently does not had any procedures recently

2. He has not had a full meal recently

3. He is not in any claim or discomfort.

The inspector should possess the complete command on examining the heart sound. You should learn to recognize the normal

before you get to know abnormal. Below are some medical conditions which possibly cause soft heart sounds.

1. Mitral incompetence

2. Heart attack

3. Rheumatic heart disease

4. Cardiomyopathies

5. Hypothyroidism

6. Pericardial effusion

7. Emphysema

8. Chronic bronchitis

9. Pneumothorax

Soft heart murmurs are sounds made by the blood circulating through the heart’s chambers and valves or through blood vessels

near the heart.

Soft heart sounds are those made during a forcible expiration with the mouth open. They are most often caused by any the

movement of valves and with the reflection of the valves to certain function cause such soft heart sounds. It happens that valves

become leaky and thrust backward flow or they can become stiff and narrow. This stiffness of valves called stenosis. Stenosis

sometimes become dangerous and it may lead to the turbulence during ejection of blood.

Soft heart sound is surely not a simple disease which can be out

shined and ignored. After getting know about the soft heart sound

one should consult the doctor immediately and follow the given

prescription. Our heart is delicate part of body so it needs extra

care and attention. We should avoid all those things which could

lead us to this dangerous disease. Any unusual sound coming

from heart should be considered as threat to the health so be

careful and eat healthy.

Pounding Heart Beat

 Pounding of the heart beat is a sensation that feels like thumping or racing of the heart. It is

generally known as palpitations. The normal rate of the heart beats is 60 to 100 beats per minute which is reduced or increased by
some causes. Heart pounding is often not very serious unless the person has some known heart disease, an abnormal heart valve

or an electrotype abnormality. It should better not be called a disease as it’s only the sudden change in the normal beating of the

heart. The pounding is actually the irregular beating and abnormal pattern of electrical impulses pounding for a little time or a

few second sis not important, it’s the regular pounding or palpitations that is dangerous and needs immediate medical

consultancy.

Pounding of the heart can be caused by some similar reasons as in many heart diseases like fever, stress, rapid heartbeat, pills,

anemia, hyperventilation, and thyroid problem, low level of oxygen in the blood or any general heart disease. Asymptomatic

pounding includes heart racing or thumping or skipping a beat nut the dangerous pounding symptoms includes dizziness, chest

pain, and faintness, shortage of oxygen, frequent occurrence, drugs and pain in jaws, necks and arms are big causes includes heart

disease for example; arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, congenital heart defects or any structural abnormality , high blood

pressure for example, thyroid disease, academia or hypoxemia, low blood sugar for example, anemia, XTC, smoking, alcohol and

stress, anxiety including over eating, lack of sleep and overdose of certain medications.

The diagnosis must be made by a specialist consultant, medical exam and tests which will include x ray, blood and urine analysis,

EKG or echocardiogram. These tests will have the risk factor of fever, fear, surgery or procedures.

As the pounding of heart is not serious therefore no proper medications are necessary for its cure although prevention and

precaution is the only best way to cure it. Diet and weight control, regular physical activity, meditation and relaxing, adjusting

rest, sleep food and stress and healthy lifestyle is the only best cure. Going to the doctor for a check up and Keeping a regular

check at the pounding may help the doctor to diagnose the ailment easily.

Loud Heart Sound

Loud heart sound is obviously is stage when heart sounds louder than its usual routine sound. As it is not the normal condition

which means that hearing loud heart sound is a disease which can have fatal consequences. There are different causes which

cause this disease.

These causes are as under:

1. Tachycardia

2. Exercise

3. Fever

4. Emotional response to situation

5. Anxiety

6. Hypertension

7. Anaemia

8. Thyrotoxicosis

9. Mitral stenosis

If you are suffering from loud heart sound and you don’t know it you can find it out without going out to doctor. The apparatus

are available which can help you to find out the loud heart sound,

1. Heart Rate Monitors

2. Irregular Heartbeat Detection

3. Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)

You should ask yourself few things when you hear the loud heart sound. You should be worried about the pitch of the sound

coming from your heart. It is also important to note down when the sound comes is it coming during systole, diastole, early, mid,

or late.

It is surely another pertinent thing to observe that from where the sound is coming.

What are the other sounds or murmurs? Sometimes it happens that diagnosis bases not on the loud heart sound but it can be

examined and identified through the sounds coming in the vicinity of heart. You should also be worried about the pitch of the

murmurs or sounds in the high frequency range such as valve closure sounds, clicks.

So it one should be very observant in case of his heart sound because it does seem an ordinary matter but it definitely has fatal

consequences. No disease is ordinary disease and we cannot simply over shadow any of our body problems because no one wants

to live an ill life. Life is supposed to be good and healthy and it can be happen if you look after yourself carefully.
Very common cause of loud heart sound is depression and stress. In present depressing

life there are favorable chances to get heart disease very easily. So we need to be careful

enough not to get stressed by usual things because our heart is very sensitive and naïve.

Life is small and heart has made it beautiful, we don’t want to waste any minute of this

small life suffering from any disease because at the end of the day it’s your health that

matters.

Heart Damage
Heart damage is not a disease itself. It is secondary problem depends on the severity of the heart attack. The heart is functioning

muscle in a body. It requires supplying blood flow and oxygen to allow it to do work. When there isn’t sufficient blood supply,

the muscle starts to suffer, and when there is no oxygen, the muscle starts to die. The heart attack occurs when the blood supply

system of the heart is interrupted. The blocked artery under this situation damages the heart muscle. To diagnose the

extensiveness of the heart damage, experts use several methods such as electrocardiogram or electrocardiography, 12-lead

electrocardiogram, signal-averaged electrocardiogram, echocardiography, echocardiography, ransesophageal, echocardiography,

and cardiac catheterization. These all are advanced electronic procedures operated with bio-tech machines.

At the time of the treatments for a heart attack blocked artery are opened to restore the blood flow as fast as possible to prevent

the heart attaining more damage and reducing the chance of a repeat attack. The main treatment is thrombolytic (clot-busting)

therapy. Other medications, and special procedures, such as angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery are also effective. To

make sure the effectiveness of these treatments should be given within 1 hour of the start of the heart attack symptoms. The fast

and quick treatment is only way to limit the damage of heart.

High-Output Heart Failure

High-output heart failure occurs when the normally functioning heart cannot keep up with the dramatically increased demand for

blood flow by one or more organs, usually peripheral tissues, in the body. There are number of conditions can cause the increased

demand for blood and oxygen that result in high-output heart failure.
The high-output failure overall is not a common cause of heart failure.

There are many reasons of high output heart failure. These include severe anemia,

Hyperthyroidism, Arteriovenous fistula, Beriberi and Paget’s disease. All these

problems create the reasons to create the demand of more blood supply by the

peripheral tissues exceeding the level and capacity of the heart to supply.

The treatment of high output heart failure depends on the cause. The careful

diagnoses are made before to start treatment.

Heart Failure
Heart failure is a kind of disorder which causes weakening of the cardiovascular

system by damaging the heart. The tissues of the heat do not receive adequate blood supply in this problem. The underlying
reason of heart failure can be heart injury or inappropriate responses of the body to heart impairment. There are two types of heart

failure, right heart failure and left heart failure. In right heart failure, the right side of the heart becomes unable to pump blood

into pulmonary circulation adequately. The swelling and edema can occur due to right heart failure. While left heart failure refers

to the inability of right side of the heart to pump blood into the systemic circulation.

This can cause the accretion of fluid in the lungs. The heart failure has been further classified into forward heart failure, backward

heart failure and congestive heart failure. The forward heart failure occurs when heart do not pump sufficient amount of blood to

fulfill the oxygen demand of the body. In backward heart failure, heart works appropriately only when heart pressure is in

abnormal condition. In the congestive heart failure, the heart does not pump blood due to high venous pressure. Fluid in the lungs

or body can be an ultimate reason.

The heart failure may be of severe nature because of fundamental diseases present already for example kidney impairment,

hypertension, vascular disease, or diabetes. Among the general symptoms of heart failure shortage of breath, edema, difficulty

exercising, fatigue and dizziness (due to low blood pressure) are included.

The treatment of heart failure could be outpatient including diuretics, ACE inhibitors,

vasodilators, beta-blockers, digitalis, and anticoagulants that does not need hospitalization.

In case of Inpatient treatment when patient has advance heart failure, he/she may be

advised to stay in hospital taking intravenous (IV) medications. A surgical procedure may

also be advised by the doctor depending on the condition of heart failure. Possible options

are angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, valve surgery, or heart transplantation.

Furthermore, adopting a healthy life style can improve the chances to heal up from the

heart failure. A healthy diet, regular exercise, controlled weight and regular visit to doctor

are amongst the general suggestions.

Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest is the sudden, abrupt and unexpected loss of heart function. It is not necessary to have a heart disease diagnosed

already by the patient. Sudden death can be occurred within minutes after symptoms are appeared. The warning signs of cardiac

arrest are loss of consciousness, abnormal breathing, and loss of pulse and blood pressure.

The irregular heart rhythm is a core reason of the cardiac arrest. When the heart beats very fast, called tachycardia, the electrical

impulses become rapid and heart stops beating suddenly. Sometimes extremely slow heart beat, called bradycardia, also becomes

the reason of cardiac arrest. The most cardiac arrests lead to sudden death. Other factors belonging to cardiac arrest apart from the

heart diseases include respiratory arrest, electrocution, drowning, choking and trauma. Cardiac arrest can occur following heart

attack or without any known cause as well.

Cardiac arrest is a dangerous and risky problem. Brain death or premature death can occur within 4 to 6 minutes after the strike.

The electric shock called defibrillation to the heart is given to restore the normal heart beat. In some cases, it can be reversed

reducing chances of survival of patient every time it strikes. It is estimated that more than 95 victims of cardiac arrest loss their

life before reaching to hospital in United States.

The precautions to recognize the illness through the symptoms mentioned above can facilitate a

lot to save a life. The urgent medical care should be sought in case symptoms are appeared.

After the cardiac arrest, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is necessary. CPR continues

the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain, hence, decreasing the chances of neurological

damage. The only effective treatment for this problem is defibrillation (electrical shock) with a

combination of early advanced care. Patients that survive cardiac arrest are advised to have

Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia by a variety of methods in order to improve the survival and

neurologic damage.

Heart Attack
Heart is functioning muscle in a body. It requires supplying blood flow and oxygen to allow it to do work. When there isn’t

sufficient blood supply, the muscle starts to suffer, and when there is no oxygen, the muscle starts to die. The heart attack occurs

when the blood supply system of the heart is interrupted.

The most classic symptoms of the heart attack include chest pain with shortage of breath, profuse sweating, and nausea. It is not

necessary to have these symptoms by all people. The other symptoms can be indigestion, jaw ache, pain only in the shoulder or

arm, shortness of breath or vomiting etc. Sometimes symptoms of heart attack are unidentifiable, particularly, in women and

elderly people. In some cases, extreme weakness or fatigue may be a complaint by the patient before the heart attack.

The most common cause of heart attack is narrowing of the arteries by cholesterol plaque and their subsequent rupture. In

medical terminologies, it is called atherosclerotic heart disease or coronary artery disease. Heart attack is as risky as stoke and

may cause life to end if not treated on time. The family history of heart attack plays a major role causing this problem.

Furthermore, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes become a reason of blocking blood supply to artery and
consequently heart attack strikes. The existing diseases causing heart attack should be control to minimize the risks of heart

attack. The heart attack can strike again if extensive care is not taken properly. The third heart attack can be a last stage of life.

The only possible medical treatment is surgery to restore the

blood supply to the heart muscle. Sometimes, heart attack is

very severing that death is possible on spot. The main thing to

remember after heart attack is time factor. The delay in

treatment can cause life end.

There are some general suggestions after heart attack strikes.

The first step is to call emergency service in the area. The

emergency department should be alerted that patient is on the

way in order to make the necessary measures ready. Giving

aspirin helps to minimize blood clot formation and blockage

of the artery is also useful.

Heart Inflammation
Myocarditis
Inflammation to the heart muscle is medically referred as Myocarditis. It is mild disease by nature and contains no notable

symptoms virtually. In the most serious condition, myocarditis leads weakening of heart muscles and heart rhythm irregularities.

The most common symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain. When it is accompanied with shortage of breath, fatigue, fluid in

the lungs, myocarditiscan can cause heart failure.

The most frequent cause of the myocarditis is viral or bacterial infection of the heart muscle. The virus assaults the heart muscle

and cause local inflammation. After the initial infection falls down, immune system of the body continues to harm the heart
muscle which becomes basic cause of prolonging myocarditis. The blood tests for heart muscles are taken to diagnose the

problem.

It is not predictable if the disease has long term or short term damaging effects. The heart inflammation may be recovered after an

initial phase or may cause heart failure at its severe condition when heart muscle becomes injured due to infection. Suffering

from myocarditis enhances the risks of sudden, unexpected, and fatal heart rhythm abnormalities.
The inflammation because of bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics.

Most viral infections are treated with a specific therapy called symptomatic therapy.

The patients of Myocarditis are advised not to use ever implantable defibrillators,

use water pills, reduce salt in the meal, and measures to prevent heart attack.

Heart Block
Heart block is a type of bradycardia which is referred as slow heart beat usually less

than 60 times per minute. It is occurred when the beat originating in the upper

chambers of the heart cannot pass normally to the lower chambers of the heart. This is sometimes called AV block, because the

beat is unable to pass through the atrioventricular node that joins the upper and lower chambers of the heart.

The heart block has different types. In the first type, the beats pass from the upper chambers to the lower chambers with slower

rate than normal. In the second type of heart block, during passage of beats from the upper to lower chambers of heart, some

beats are dropped. In the third type of heart block, the beats are not able to pass from the upper to the lower chambers at all. This

is known as complete heart block. In such situation the lower chambers originate their own impulses. In this way both heart

chambers still pump blood but with a slower rate.

The most common symptoms of hear block include fatigue, weakness, dizziness or light-headedness, fainting or nearly fainting,

shortness of breath. The underlying causes of heart block could be high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, high cholesterol,

cigarette smoking, drugs or alcohol abuse, excess weight, high fat diet, sedentary lifestyle, stress, and certain medicines. These

causes are falls under the category of controllable risk factors. The causes which fall under the non controllable risk factors

include family history of heart disease, congenital heart disorders (heart problems present at birth), aging and gender.

To avoid heart problem, in general, and heart block particularly, drinking plenty

of water, eating healthy diet, eliminating unnecessary stress, exercising

regularly, and swimming, maintaining weight and regular check up from doctor

is necessary. More severe forms of heart block usually are needed to be treated

with artificial permanent pacemaker. The pacemaker can replace the function of

sinus node (SV node) and can help the heart to beat properly.

Pacemaker consists of a lead, a thin coated wire, which is inserted through a

vein, and the tip of the lead, called the electrode, is placed in either the upper or

the lower chamber of the heart against the heart line. The pulse generator is

placed under the chest. It encases the electronic circuitry of the pacemaker.

Pericarditis
The heart positions in the center of the chest and is surrounded by a sac called the pericardium. This sac consists of two layers,

one that fits tightly onto the heart muscle and another looser layer surrounding the inner layer. Inflammation of these tissue layers

surrounding the heart is known to pericarditis.

The most common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain which is usually sharp and stabbing and has certain characteristics which

helps the doctor to diagnose the disease. The pain can start slowly or suddenly and can go directly to the back, to the neck or to

the arm. It can also radiate to the shoulder blade incase of associated irritation of the diaphragm (the flat muscle that separates the

chest from the abdomen). The pain can be worse if accompanied with deep breaths. The patient feels worse with the lying flat

position and better when leaning forward. If other organs of the body are affected due to the inflammation, the pain can be of

different characteristics such as pain with deep breath and shortage of breath. It symbolizes that there is inflammation near lung

tissue. The pain with swallowing means inflammation is near the esophagus. Other symptoms may include infection with fever,

chills, muscle aches or general depression.

Mostly, there is no cause of pericarditis. It is always result of other problems such as, heart attack or heart surgery, trauma, viral

or fungal infection, tumors or cancer, uremia, connective tissue disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus

erythematosus, sarcoidosis, scleroderma and some kind of medications.

The primary treatment of pericarditis is medicines that reduce inflammation such as ibuprofen that also helps to accumulate fluid

in the pericardial sac. In some cases, short course of narcotic pain medication such as codeine, hydrocodone or oxycodone is

suggested depending on the individual situation. However, it is necessary to have treatment of the underlying cause first.

At the severe stage of the Pericarditis when there will be too much fluid present in the

pericardial sac pericardiocentesis, a procedure where a thin needle is inserted through the

chest wall into the pericardial sac, may be referred. Sometimes, pericardiocentesis can

also be done when there is need to set up a cause of pericarditis for example infection or

cancer etc. The more than sufficient fluid in the pericardia sac may generate high

pressured heart output, hence, preventing it from beating normally.

Palpitations
Heart palpitation involves sensation of rapid, fluttering or pounding heart beat. Although it is often harmless, however, it can be

troublesome. In most cases, there are no symptoms as such of palpitations except the feeling related to pounding of heart by an

individual. It should be seriously noticed when palpitation occurs with dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, pain or

fainting.

The most common causes of the palpitations include anxiety, stress, exercise, caffeine, nicotine, fever, change in hormone

(associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause) and medicines having pseudoephedrine, (an ingredient, premature

contractions caused by high level of adrenaline in blood, in some cold and allergy medicines). It is difficult to determine the

cause of palpitations. Rarely, it can be a sign of hyperthyroidism or an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
The person concerned about heart palpitations, should consult the doctor as soon as it is

realized. Doctors usually recommend further evaluation such as heart monitoring tests.

Palpitations having no heart diseases history may not need specific treatment. They are

often advised simply to reduce emotional and physical stress while monitoring their

symptoms.

The palpitations resulting from premature contractions also require no specific

treatment. The occurrence of premature contractions can be reduced by stress reduction,

quitting smoking, and reducing caffeine, and alcohol consumption. The stress reduction

helps to lower the blood adrenaline levels. The patient having constant palpitations and

premature contractions experts suggest medications such as beta-blockers; can be used to block the effect of adrenaline in the

heart, thus reducing premature contractions.

Slow Heart Beat Bradycardia

Slow Heart Beat also called Bradycardia implies to the situation when heart beats less than 60 even sometimes 50 per minutes.

Athletes usually tend to have slow resting heart beat which is not considered a disease unless associated symptoms are not

appeared.

Basically slow heart beat is linked with cardiac arrhythmia and can have many causes. Indeed, causes can be classified into two

types. The first type is cardiac which includes acute or chronic chemic heart disease, vascular heart disease, valvular heart

disease, or degenerative primary electrical disease. These problems disturb the automacity of the heart and ultimately, heart beats

slow than the normal condition. The second type is non cardiac causes may involve drugs use or abuse, metabolic, or endocrine

problems. Generally, disorder of the sinus node (SV) and atrioventricular node (AV node), which plays major roles for heart to

beat, becomes the reason of heart to beat slower than the normal condition.

This problem is notably more common in old aged people. The general symptoms of this problem can be fainting, sweating and

light headache.

Drugs treatment for bradycardia is normally not suggested to the symptomatic patients. The

underlying electrolyte or acid-base disorders or hypoxia should be treated first. Moreover,

healthy life style is a significant step to avoid heart problem, in general including drinking

plenty of water, eating healthy diet, eliminating unnecessary stress, exercising regularly,

and swimming, maintaining weight and regular check up from doctor is necessary.

Rapid Heart Beat

A rapid heartbeat also, called tachycardia, can be defined as excessively fast heart beat, that is faster than normal. The normal

heart in adults beats between 60 to 80 times, (in some cases 50 to 100) per minute. In children, the heart beat rate can be, to some

extent, faster than 100 times per minute but still it can be considered normal. The speed of the heart beat usually is measured by
checking the pulse or listening to the heart beat with a medical instrument called stethoscope. The extensive rapid heartbeat

problem can cause a life of a person to end.

In some cases a person with rapid heartbeat may have no symptoms at all. In other cases, the symptoms may include palpitations,

excessive sweating, fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, light headedness or dizziness and fainting. However,

when heart beat is increased due to physical activity like running, there is nothing to worry about it. In such condition, heart beats

becomes normal automatically.

The causes of rapid heartbeat may be exercise with heavy weight lifting or other activity that requires physical exertion, fear,

pain, anxiety, stress, anger, nervousness. The other serious causes involve dehydration, which may be too little intake of fluids,

loss of blood, diarrhea, vomiting, or medications such as diuretics, sometimes called water pills, low blood pressure, fever,

hyperthyroidism (level of thyroid hormone in the body that is too high), congestive heart failure (a condition in which the heart

cannot pump blood effectively), arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), anemia (a low red blood cell count), heart attack, excessive

caffeine intake, some herbal therapies such as ephedra, blood infections, nerve damage, low oxygen in the blood, cocaine abuse,

alcohol withdrawal and some kind of medicines.

Treatment of the rapid heartbeat depends on the cause. Regular exercise is advised to many people for

preventing this problem. If rapid heartbeat is associated with other diseases (among the causes

mentioned above), for example in dehydrated, doctors suggests fluids. In fever, a person is given

acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol). When cause is infection, one may need antibiotics or surgery. Other than

the medications, avoiding cocaine or alcohol prevents from rapid heartbeat. Taking plenty of fluids can

also prevent from this decease at great extent.

Heart Rhythm Disorder

Heart rhythm disorder refers to irregular position of heart beat. In such position heart beat sometimes, can be too fast or too slow.

A normal heart beat rates between 60 to 80 times, (in some cases 50 to 100) per minutes. If heart beat is lower than 50 or exceeds

more than 100, it indicates person is suffering from heart rhythm disorder. Heart rhythm disorder belongs to arrhythmia, which is

a medical term and meant to heart position on unequal level. Arrhythmia has two types. First type is called ‘atrial arrhythmias’ in

which upper two chambers of the heart are involved. The second is called ‘ventricles arrhythmias’ which originates from the

lower chamber of the heart. Arrhythmias can be simple and treated with little medications but some arrhythmias can be critical

and dangerous to life, depending on individual situation.

The symptoms of heart rhythm disorder vary from person to person. In general, shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating and light

headache is symptoms to recognize this disease. In some cases person has no symptoms and in other cases, it may occur

suddenly, causing death.

The most general causes of the heart rhythm disorder include high or low blood pressure, low or cholesterol, diabetes, and

smoking. To minimize the possibility of heart problems, these diseases should be under control. The treatment provided to a
given patient depends entirely on how severe is a heart rhythm problem. Many heart

rhythm problems do not need any treatment at all, other than complete rest. Other

heart rhythm problems may be easily treated with different anti-arrhythmic

medications. Some swift heart rhythm problems are treated with catheter ablation or

implantation of a pacemaker-type device known as an implantable cardioversion

defibrillator. The final treatment of this problem is heart surgery to eliminate the

source of heart rhythm problem but very rare people require the surgery.

Heart Complications
The heart is consisted of two stages and act as an electric pump. Thee main function of the heart is to circulate blood through the

body. The cells of the heart generate electric current which are important for the heart to pump the blood. The heart is consisted
of four chambers. They are called right and left atria and right and left ventricles. The right side pumps blood to the lungs

whereas, the left pumps blood to the rest of the body. Right atrium collects blood from the body and pushes it to the right

ventricle. In this way, upper chamber of the heart beats.

The right ventricle is responsible for pumping blood and picking up oxygen from the lungs and to return the oxygenated blood to

the left atrium. It is further pushed to the left ventricle by the small atrial beats. The special cells in the right atrium called sino

atrial node (SA node) generate first electrical impulse and are considered the “natural pacemaker” of the heart. This pacemaker

(SA node) function begins the electrical impulse which follows pathways in the atrial walls, to a junction box between the atrium

and ventricle called the atrio-ventricular node (AV node). This electric signal provides ground for muscle cells in both atria to

contract all at once. The electric signal, at the AV node, waits for a very short time, usually one to two tenths of a second, to allow

blood to leave the atria and fill up the ventricles. The signal further passes through electric bundles in the ventricle walls to allow

these chambers to contract again in a coordinated way, and pump blood to the body. The SA node produces beating system, each

about 60-80 times per minute, which can be felt through the pulse externally.

The heart system of the human body is quite complicated and sensitive as well. Although the body protects the heart as its best

but slight malfunctioning of the systemic routine of heart blood pumping can create huge problems. Some of them are treated

easily, whereas, most are life threatening. Among the common heart complications, heart failure is major problem. In the heart

failure, heart pumps the blood with less force, usually because of the heart injury.

The diseases such as high or low blood pressure, high or low cholesterol,

diabetes, asthma, and psychological effects such as fear, pain, anxiety, stress,

anger, nervousness, smoking, exceeded amount of alcohol can be reasons of

all type of heart complications. The common complications that can occur

because of these problems include Heart rhythm disorder, rapid heartbeat,

slow heart beat, palpitations, pericarditis, heart block, heart inflammation,

heart attacks, cardiac arrest, heart failure, Heart damage, high-output heart

failure, and congenital heart disease etc. These complications sometimes are
treated through medicines, and through surgeries or transplantation in special cases, when problem is of severe nature. The

recommendations for healthy heart given by American Heart Association’s include avoiding tobacco smoke, monitoring high

blood pressure, eating food low in cholesterol and saturated fats, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and

having regular medical exams.

Tachycardia
Tachycardia is a disease in which the heart beats very rapidly. In a normal person the rate of heart beat is 60 beats per minute but

in tachycardia the rate is 100 beats per minute. In cases like exercise or stress, it is considered normal because the exertion makes

the heart beats very rapidly but in cases like cardiac arrhythmias, it is considered abnormal.

Tachycardia can be harmful in three ways. First, if the heart is pumping too fast for a long period of time then the oxygen and

carbon dioxide in the hemoglobin of the blood is imbalanced. It is normal in exercise but dangerous when the heart is resting.
Second when the heart beats too rapidly, it tends to pump blood less efficiently because the myocardium gets less time to

contract. The third harmful effect is that, when the heart beats very rapidly, it requires more oxygen and blood and in this way the

person feels out of breath and stressed.

Normal heart rate increases due to these factors or causes. Exercise or exertion, fever, fear, nervousness, emotion, large meal,

high or low blood pressure, prior heart attack, asthma, anemia or panic attack. Tachycardia is stimulated by excessive nicotine,

caffeine or adraline, certain illicit drugs and medications, deficiency of potassium and vitamin B, excessive dieting, and

arrhythmia. Pounding heart beat is a type of rapid heartbeat.

The symptoms of tachycardia include rapid heartbeat and rapid heartbeat at rest, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and

heart failure. These are the symptoms which are known to the patient but the doctor takes tachycardia differently. Home medical

test of tachycardia includes heart rate monitors, ECG and irregular heart beat detection. Alternative diagnosis method includes

hypotension.

Tachycardia can be treated with chemical conversion, electrical conversion

or simply by the use of drugs to control and normalize the heart beat.

However the treatment depends on the mechanism of tachycardia in a

person.

Tachycardia can be cured or controlled by certain drugs and medications

prescribed by the doctor but it can be prevented, once diagnosed, by

controlling diet, restraining from physical stress and exertion, eating normal meals, following a healthy life style and restraining

oneself from excessive use of nicotine, caffeine, drugs and adreline etcetera.

Soft Heart Sound

Sound of heart which is lower than the usual is called soft heart sound. There are several methods and principles which must be

involved when listening to heart sounds. First dominance should be provided for all patients. The ambience of the room should be
warm, the patient covered and as much irrelevant noise removed as possible. Doctor should explain the patient that what he is

going to do so that he won’t get confused and worried. A stethoscope is essential for you which fit your ears comfortably and

proper bell and diaphragm for your patient.

There are some things which should be kept in mind in terms of examining the patient, these are as follows:

1. Patient presently does not had any procedures recently

2. He has not had a full meal recently

3. He is not in any claim or discomfort.

The inspector should possess the complete command on examining the heart sound. You should learn to recognize the normal

before you get to know abnormal. Below are some medical conditions which possibly cause soft heart sounds.

1. Mitral incompetence

2. Heart attack

3. Rheumatic heart disease

4. Cardiomyopathies

5. Hypothyroidism

6. Pericardial effusion

7. Emphysema

8. Chronic bronchitis

9. Pneumothorax

Soft heart murmurs are sounds made by the blood circulating through the heart’s chambers and valves or through blood vessels

near the heart.

Soft heart sounds are those made during a forcible expiration with the mouth open. They are most often caused by any the

movement of valves and with the reflection of the valves to certain function cause such soft heart sounds. It happens that valves

become leaky and thrust backward flow or they can become stiff and narrow. This stiffness of valves called stenosis. Stenosis

sometimes become dangerous and it may lead to the turbulence during ejection of blood.

Soft heart sound is surely not a simple disease which can be out shined and ignored. After getting know about the soft heart sound

one should consult the doctor immediately and follow the given prescription. Our heart is delicate part of body so it needs extra

care and attention. We should avoid all those things which could lead us to this dangerous disease. Any unusual sound coming

from heart should be considered as threat to the health so be careful and eat healthy.
Pounding Heart Beat

Pounding of the heart beat is a sensation that feels like thumping

or racing of the heart. It is generally known as palpitations. The normal rate of the heart beats is 60 to 100 beats per minute which

is reduced or increased by some causes. Heart pounding is often not very serious unless the person has some known heart disease,

an abnormal heart valve or an electrotype abnormality. It should better not be called a disease as it’s only the sudden change in

the normal beating of the heart. The pounding is actually the irregular beating and abnormal pattern of electrical impulses

pounding for a little time or a few second sis not important, it’s the regular pounding or palpitations that is dangerous and needs

immediate medical consultancy.

Pounding of the heart can be caused by some similar reasons as in many heart diseases like fever, stress, rapid heartbeat, pills,

anemia, hyperventilation, and thyroid problem, low level of oxygen in the blood or any general heart disease. Asymptomatic

pounding includes heart racing or thumping or skipping a beat nut the dangerous pounding symptoms includes dizziness, chest

pain, and faintness, shortage of oxygen, frequent occurrence, drugs and pain in jaws, necks and arms are big causes includes heart

disease for example; arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, congenital heart defects or any structural abnormality , high blood

pressure for example, thyroid disease, academia or hypoxemia, low blood sugar for example, anemia, XTC, smoking, alcohol and
stress, anxiety including over eating, lack of sleep and overdose of certain medications.

The diagnosis must be made by a specialist consultant, medical exam and tests which will include x ray, blood and urine analysis,

EKG or echocardiogram. These tests will have the risk factor of fever, fear, surgery or procedures.

As the pounding of heart is not serious therefore no proper medications are necessary for its cure although prevention and

precaution is the only best way to cure it. Diet and weight control, regular physical activity, meditation and relaxing, adjusting

rest, sleep food and stress and healthy lifestyle is the only best cure. Going to the doctor for a check up and Keeping a regular

check at the pounding may help the doctor to diagnose the ailment easily.

Loud Heart Sound

Loud heart sound is obviously is stage when heart sounds louder than its usual routine sound. As it is not the normal condition

which means that hearing loud heart sound is a disease which can have fatal consequences. There are different causes which

cause this disease.

These causes are as under:

1. Tachycardia

2. Exercise

3. Fever

4. Emotional response to situation

5. Anxiety

6. Hypertension

7. Anaemia

8. Thyrotoxicosis

9. Mitral stenosis

If you are suffering from loud heart sound and you don’t know it you can find it out without going out to doctor. The apparatus

are available which can help you to find out the loud heart sound,

1. Heart Rate Monitors

2. Irregular Heartbeat Detection

3. Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)

You should ask yourself few things when you hear the loud heart sound. You should be worried about the pitch of the sound

coming from your heart. It is also important to note down when the sound comes is it coming during systole, diastole, early, mid,

or late.

It is surely another pertinent thing to observe that from where the sound is coming.

What are the other sounds or murmurs? Sometimes it happens that diagnosis bases not on the loud heart sound but it can be

examined and identified through the sounds coming in the vicinity of heart. You should also be worried about the pitch of the

murmurs or sounds in the high frequency range such as valve closure sounds, clicks.

So it one should be very observant in case of his heart sound because it does seem an ordinary matter but it definitely has fatal

consequences. No disease is ordinary disease and we cannot simply over shadow any of our body problems because no one wants

to live an ill life. Life is supposed to be good and healthy and it can be happen if you look after yourself carefully.

Very common cause of loud heart sound is depression and stress. In present depressing life there are favorable chances to get

heart disease very easily. So we need to be careful enough not to get stressed by usual things because our heart is very sensitive
and naïve. Life is small and heart has made it beautiful, we don’t want to waste any

minute of this small life suffering from any disease because at the end of the day it’s your

health that matters.

Irregular Heart Beats

When the heart deviates from its original function of pumping blood, it uses abnormal

contractions and result in a disease called Irregular heart beats or abnormal heart rhythm

is and medically known as Arrhythmia. The electrical system of heart beats consists of

two main areas of control namely, SA Node, sometimes known as natural pacemaker and

the other one is AV node. Arrhythmia has many types depending upon its origin.

Arrhythmia can occur with a normal heart rate as well as rapid heart rate. Arrhythmia can be caused by coronary artery disease,
electrolyte imbalances in the blood, high blood pressure, injury from a heart attack, changes in the heart muscle or healing

process after heart surgery. Sometimes the Arrhythmia disease is caused other than the heart diseases. Some of them include

infections, anemia, stress or they can be inherited. Patients having any of these above mentioned symptoms or sudden occurrence

may consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Generally, irregular heartbeats do not show any particular symptoms, but some conditions may give the hint of Arrhythmia, that

includes palpitations, fainting, dizziness, pounding in the chest, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and weakness or fatigue.

There are also certain tests to check for Arrhythmia. In some case it cannot be cured but in some, it can be cured with drugs,

changing the living style and prevention that will include avoiding smoking, intake of alcohol, caffeine and stimulants in

medications.

If drugs are not effective in some cases, then cardio version

is implied. In this method an electric shock is given after an

anesthesia that makes the heart beats normal.

Another method to cure the Arrhythmia is by using a device

called Pacemaker. Through this device, short electrical

impulses are sent to the heart muscles which help to regulate

the heart beats. Heart surgery and Catheter Ablation are also

the methods to control and regulate the heart beats which

have the similar objective to normalize the heart beat.

Following all the above mentioned precautions and at a

proper time may tend to non occurrence of irregular heartbeats.

Heart is important part of our body and without a proper working heart it would be hard to live a life which is worth living. So

your heart should be fit and rhythmic.

Intracranial bruit
Audible blood flow through a cranial vessel is called intracranial bruit which makes the blood flow abnormal. Intracranial bruit

may be caused due to a carotid cavernous sinus fistula or a cerebral angioma. It may also occur due to a congenital arteriovenous

anomaly. A cerebral aneurysm is not very significant to cause a bruit. Severe anemia may cause intracranial bruits. All

intracranial bruits should be diagnosed with MRI and angiography unless some systemic disease is found like anemia

Intracranial bruits or cervical bruits may be caused by carotid stenosis, hyperthyroidism, a venous hum, or aortic stenosis which

transmits the bruit to the vessels in the neck. A carotid duplex scan and carotid angiography should be done to look for any

particular carotid stenosis.

The 5 causes of intracranial bruit are - Atherosclerosis, increased blood flow, aneurysm, thrombo embolism and arterio venous

misinformation.

Intracranial bruit commonly produces neuro ophthalmologic symptoms and signs. Cavernous malformations commonly cause

abnormalities of supra nuclear or fascicular ocular motility. Prompt and early diagnosis of intra cranial bruit helps in proper

treatment and therapy.

Intracranial bruit remains an enigma and it is not something to overshadow. It is

very important to live healthy life but when one is suffering from such fatal

diseases it would not be possible to stay healthy and enjoy happy healthy life.

There are symptoms which on appearance mean that you have to consult to your

doctor because no disease is a simple and relieving.

Intracranial bruit is commonly heard in 4 of 13 children aged between 4 months

and 3 years. Intracranial bruit is a fatal disease and it has expensive treatment. If

it is diagnose at time it should not be ignored because later on has to suffer a lot

because of the treatment method and the charges.

Heartburn Pyrosis
Heart burn or medically known as Pyrosis is a disease in which there is a painful or burning sensation in the esophagus which lies

just below the breast bone which is caused by the regurgitation of gastric acids. The symptoms of the pain rising often starts from

the chest and may proceed to the neck , jaw or the throat from its name it may seem a heart disease but actually it has nothing to

do with the heart. The name is so given because its pain occurs in the breast bone which is near the heart although it has some

symptoms to do with the heart problems.

This heart burn sensation or pain is caused when the lower part of the esophagus exposes itself to the hydrochloric acid of the

stomach in normal situations, the lower esophageal sphincter which separates the esophagus from the stomach, contracts to

prevent the happening of this situation. But if ever the sphincter does not contract, the gastric acid from the stomach mixes with

the contents of the stomach, causing it to return into the esophagus, gastric acids being acidic, causes inflammation and irritation.

This return, if frequently occurs, will cause Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease. Heartburn also occurs when you eat a heavy or

late meal or when you are lying down flatly.

Bad breath is also a symptom of heart burn. Excessive smoking is another reason for heart burn because smoking has harmful

effects on the salivary function which helps to clear the esophagus from the acids.

Some of the procedures to check the heart burn disease include stomach stapling,

fundoplication, gastroscopy, gastric acidity determination, esophageal manometry and

esophagoscopy.in addition to drugs, heart burn can also be prevented by giving the adequate

information to the patient with respect to the disease. Physical activity and exercise is also a

very effective way of preventing heartburn. Yoga and aerobics, maintaining a healthy weight

and diet helps in this regard.

Hospitalization in the case of the disease is also a proper way. Proper diagnosis is important

thing in this regard. Taking walks after the meals can also help reduce the chances of heart

burn. Hence, a disease like heart burn can be prevented by the necessary precautions

mentioned above. All of us want to live healthy life and it can be happened only when we

want and determine about it. Living life is not enough but living healthy life is beautiful.

Gastroesophageal Reflux
Gastro esophageal reflux is defined as mucosal damage produced by abnormal reflux in the esophagus. In normal conditions, the

food swallowed is passed through esophagus into the stomach through a portal called the lower esophageal sphincter LES, which

helps the food to go down and mix with the acids in the stomach and then it closes tight to prevent backflow of stomach contents.

But in abnormal conditions the LES does not contract as it should, causing the stomach contents and acids to flow backwards into

the esophagus creating irritation in the lungs, inflammation and a burning sensation this back flow is called reflux. This back flow

is pretty normal in adults when it happens frequently because the swallowing of the saliva helps the acids to wash away from the

esophagus thus protecting its vulnerable walls.

Symptoms of gastro esophageal reflux in adults are the inflammation in the esophagus, difficulty swallowing, and chronic chest

pain. Typical symptoms may include cough, hoarseness in voice, chronic ear pain, chest pain and nausea. The presence of hiatal

hernia is a risk factor of gastro esophageal reflux. In young children, the LES is relatively relaxed so they spit up often. This is

called physiological reflux. Over the time the LES strengthens resulting in less spit ups. But if this condition persists, it is called

pathologic reflux resulting in weight loss.

Symptoms of gastro esophageal reflux includes poor weight gain, heart burn, irritability, bad breath, cavities, wheezing, chronic

cough, pain with eating and pneumonia. Gastro esophageal reflux is not contagious and it recovers itself over time. If the reflux is

often and it persists, then the doctor should be consulted for proper treatment. The diagnosis might include Ph probes or x-rays.

Most medications which reduce stomach acid are prescribed.

When the doctors do not prescribe any medications to cure reflux prescribes a healthy lifestyle to be followed. Caffeine, alcohol

and smoking should be cut down. Healthy diet plan must be followed, walk should be taken after meals and fatty and acidic food

must be controlled. A number of drugs are also helpful in this regard. Some of them are proton pump inhibiters, antacids, alginic
acid, prokinetics and sucralfate. Proper posture is also very helpful in controlling reflux.

Elevating the head off the bed reduces chances of reflux.

Epigastric pain
The pain, which a patient feels in the upper central region of the abdomen, is termed as the

Epigastric pain. This particular region is called the epigastric region. To explain it further, the

area in the human body between costal margins and subcostal margins is called the epigastric

region.

Through the anatomical point-of-view, the body of a human abdomen is divided in to nine major parts or sections namely;

epigastrium, left hypochondria, right hypochondria, right lateral region, left lateral region (which are also called the Flanks), right

inguinal region, left inguinal region (which are also called the Fossae), umblical and pubic region.

Epigastric pain is actually the feeling of soreness or ache in the abdomen’s upper and middle area. About ten million population

of Ameriaca suffers the epigastric pain due to the disease of Lactase defficiancy. On the other hand, drug usage also causes this

epigastric pain in the abdomen. Mentioned are a few diseases or medical conditions which cause the epigastric pain. Pancreatic

cancer, Gastrisis, Indigestion, medicational effects, Dyspepsia, Peptic ulcer disease, myocardial ischaemia, Gastroesophegal

reflux, Pancreatitis, Malabsorbtion, Myocardial infraction, Gastric cancer, Intestinal ischaemia, Pnuemonia, Hiatus hernia,

Gastric volvulus, Pregnancy, Zollinger_Ellison syndrome, Abdominal hernia, Caliac artery stenosis from aompression by median

arcuate ligamant of diaphragm, Copper toxity, Helicobacter pylori bacteria, Janbon syndromeCrohn’s disease of esophagus,

Ankylostomiasis, Parasitic infection, Gastric lymphoma, Pylephlebitis, Sandifer syndrome, Zieve syndrome, Pancriatic infection

and last but not the least, Lactase defficiency. These are very few symptoms of Epigastric pain.

It is observed that there are many other rare symptoms which can cause the epigastric pain. It is better that you consult your

doctor in case of ant querries of if your body shows other similar symptoms. Zefazone drugs medicines, toxins or drugs also

cause the epigastric pain. In this case the pain is the result of a drug side-effect or so. Among the up-mentioned thirty four causes

of epigastric pain, only myocardial infraction and pancreatic cancer are directly or indirectly related to the disease of Diabetes.

These symptoms or causes of epigastric pain mostly appear in the patients who have a family history of diabetes.

The most interesting treatment being offered in the medical world regarding the epigastric

pain is the Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment. The Chinese medicines are used to treat

the epigastric pain and the other conditions related to it on clinical basis. The Traditional

Chinese Medicine treatment includes Acupuncture treatment, Tong Ren therapy and herbal

treatment. It is observed the Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment is proved helpful in

many cases of epigastric pain.

Acid Regurgitation
Acid regurgitation also called acid reflux is a general condition in which the stomach carries the acids from the stomach up the

esophagus, which is the tube that carries food from mouth to the stomach. It causes symptoms like heart burn that is a burning
feeling in the chest and sometimes a sour or a bitter taste in the mouth these acid regurgitation feeling often remains for a few

hours after heavy meal and then gradually dies away. Acid regurgitation that happens more than twice a week is called gastro

esophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a more serious condition than simple regurgitation that, if left untreated, may lead to

serious problems like inflammation of the esophagus and a certain precancerous condition. GERD is a disease which can also

worsen existing asthma, chronic cough, insomnia, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid regurgitation. Other symptoms may include: Bitter or sour taste in the mouth,

Chronic dry cough, Trouble swallowing, Wheezing and Hoarseness of voice.

Acid regurgitation occurs when the muscles at the lower part of esophagus called does not function properly. In normal

conditions, the muscles of the esophagus keep the contents of the stomach in the stomach and prevent the backward flow of the

stomach acids by tightening up the throat after swallowing the food. But people suffering from acid regurgitation, the esophageal

muscles becomes weak and relaxes, which allows the acid and stomach contents to flow back up the esophagus, making the

matter worse.

It is not exactly known that what causes acid regurgitation, although there are some factors which may be included in the extra

pounds symptoms of acid regurgitation. these include, Obesity, Pregnancy, Smoking, Alcohol or caffeine consumption, Eating

large meals, Eating before bedtime, certain Medications, Fatty, fried, and spicy foods; citrus fruits; chocolate; mint; garlic; and

onions.

Acid regurgitation can occur in adults as well as in children, specially the people

with poor diet habits, smokers or pregnant women If the acid regurgitation

occurs more often it maybe consulted with a doctor who will prescribe

medications and there are conventional precautionary measures which includes

quitting smoking, changing the diet habits, having short and light meals, taking

a walk after meals, exercise, release of stress and avoiding tight clothing.

Pulsus Alternans
Pulsus alternans is a arterial pulse waveform showing alternating strong and weak beats with physical findings. In many patients

Pulsus alternans always indicator of left ventricular systolic impairment, and carries a poor prognosis.c If left ventricular of the

heart dysfunction, the ejection fraction will decrease significantly, causing reduction in stroke volume, hence causing an increase

in end-diastolic volume. In its initial stage it may be a tachycardia as a compensatory mechanism to try and keep the cardiac

output constant. As a result, during the next cycle, myocardial muscle and systolic phase will stretch harder than usual and as a

result cause an increase in myocardial contraction and hence a stronger pulse is felt.

There are some symptoms associated with pulsus alternans like palpitation, heart rhythm symptons and arrhythimias. Palpitation

happened when a person can sense his own heartbeat, and believes it to be unusual or abnormal. Many patients describe

palpitation as racing heartbeat, rapid heartbeat, slow heart beat, irregular heart beat.
Heart rhythm can also be useful in finding pulsus alternans, if you feel any change in the rhythm then it might be an alarming and

it may lead you to suffer from the pulsus alternans.

In case of any kind of change in your heart rhythm or sound you are advised to

visit your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can be your best adviser at that

position and if you found a patient then you have to follow the prescriptions of

the doctors. Obviously it would not be easy but to prevent yourself from further

damage or loss you have to follow your doctor.

Pulsus alternans can be harmless until or unless you cure it on initial stage and

don’t ignore it. If ignore it then it would be harmful and can lead you to fatal

consequences.

Pulsus Bisferiens
In medical language, pulsus bisferiens is also known as bisferious pulse or biphasic pulse. Because Bisferious means striking

twice, traditionally pulsus bisferiens is discovered when aortic insufficiency exists in association with aortic stenosis, but may

also be found in isolated but severe aortic insufficiency, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Normally in central arteries, arterial pulses are best felt like brachial and carotid, but pulsus bisferiens is an exception to that and

can be better felt in peripheral arteries like the radial artery. This type of pulse can also be felt better in peripheral arteries is

pulsus alterans. The first lift is happened due to “percussion wave”(P) and the second lift is happened due to tidal wave (T). In

different parts of heart bisferiens pulse can be seen in aortic stenosis which is accompanied by moderately severe aortic

insufficiency. The pulse rises very slowly in aortic stenosis and the second wave of the double beat is the more forceful one

There are many causes which are associated with pulsus bisferiens. Defect in the rhythm of heart is the most common organic

cause of bisferiens pulse. Many patients suffering with chronic aortic insufficiency are asymptomatic until ages 40 to 50.

However, as a result of this defect exertional dyspnea, worsening fatigue, orthopnea and, eventually, paroxysmal nocturnal

dyspnea may develop. In some cases, it commonly occurs with high output states, such as anemia, thyrotoxicosis, fever, and

exercise. Some findings which are associated with pulsus bisferiens underlying many causes and may include moderate

tachycardia, a cervical venous hum, and widened pulse pressure. Pressure gradient is the basic cause of pulsus bisferiens in 40%

patients in the left ventricular outflow tract. Sometimes it is palpated and the pulse rises rapidly, and the first wave is the more

forceful one.

It is basically dependant on the heart and if your heart is working properly then you won’t be in troubled by this disease and to

keep the heart healthy you have to take good care of it. The diet should be appropriate and it should include all the ingredients

which make your heart healthy and working properly. So if you don’t want to suffer from this fatal disease you should be keen

toward your diet and heart anything unusual change or pain can lead you to pulsus bisfereiens.
Gallop Ventricular
Ventricular is a heart chamber which collects blood from an atrium (another

heart chamber that is smaller than a ventricle) and pumps it out of the heart. In

a four-chambered heart, such as that in humans, there are two ventricular the

right ventricular pumps blood into the pulmonary circulation for the lungs,

and the left ventricular pumps blood into the systemic circulation for the rest

of the body. Ventriculars have thicker walls than the atria, and thus can

withstand higher blood pressure. Comparing the right and left ventricles, the left ventricle has thicker walls because it needs to

pump blood to the whole body.

S3 (or third heart sound) is the name of the vibration. It occurs during the middle third of diastole, shortly after the second heart
sound S2, giving a rhythm much like the cadence in the word ‘Kentucky’. S3 can be a normal finding in people under 40 years of

age, but over this age is usually a sign of heart failure. It is usually low-pitched and is best heard with the bell of the stethoscope.

Sometime it is difficult to hear. An S3 rhythm is also refers as ventricular gallop. Gallop ventricular rhythm is a rhythm of the

heart on auscultation. The normal rhythm of the heart contains two audible sounds, called S1 and S2, giving the well-known “lub-

dub” rhythm. The rhythms are usually caused by the closing of valves in the heart. A ventricular gallop rhythm contains another

sound, called S3 or S4, dependent upon where in the cycle this added sound comes; it can also contain both of these sounds.

Gallop ventricular rhythm may be caused by the oscillation of

blood back and forth between the walls of the ventricles

initiated by inrushing blood from the atria. The third sound of

the heart does not occur until the middle third of diastole is

probably because during the early part of diastole, the

ventricles are not filled sufficiently to create enough tension

for reverberation.

The ventricular gallop rhythm itself does not need to be treated; the underlying cause requires correction; depending on the

aetiology (abnormal condition) the gallop rhythm may resolve.

Widened Pulse Pressure

Systolic and a diastolic reading are the measurements of blood pressure. The systolic and diastolic readings are taken at opposite

ends of the cardiac cycle and are a person’s highest and lowest blood pressure levels. These two extreme differences are called

the pulse pressure, and represent the force that your heart generates each time it contracts. In a person systolic blood pressure is

120 mmHg and diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg, the pulse pressure would be 40 mmHg. Some facts suggest that pulse pressure is a

better forecaster of clinical outcome than the systolic or diastolic blood pressure alone. However, pulse pressure as a clinical

predictor or diagnosis tool usage is complicated because the pulse pressure doesn’t provide unique information.
Pulse pressure in healthy adults in sitting position is about 40 mmHg. The pulse pressure increases with exercise due to increased

stroke volume, healthy values being up to pulse pressures of about 100 mmHg, in healthy individuals the pulse pressure will

typically return to normal within about 10 minutes. During exercise, the systolic pressure progressively increases while the

diastolic remains about the same in most of individuals. In some athletes, the diastolic will progressively fall as the systolic

increases. If the pulse pressure is genuinely low than 25 mmHg, the reason may be low stroke volume, as in Congestive Heart

Failure and/or shock, a serious issue.

Human beings are made of complex system of nerves and arteries. There is a system of

network of veins and blood vessels. It is indeed a blessing to stay healthy and fit in these

times. So if we cannot under estimate any minor problem and consult the doctor

immediately. If your pulse isn’t working properly then it should be your first preference to

get yourself checked by the doctor and do according to his prescription.

There are different causes which make you suffer from widened pulse pressure some of

these are as follow:

1. Atherosclerosis

2. Chronic aortic regurgitation

3. Thyrotoxicosis

4. Fever

5. Anaemia

6. Pregnancy

7. Anxiety

8. Patent ductus arteriosus

9. Heart block

10. Aortic dissection

11. Endocarditis

12. Raised intracranial pressure

So we should be aware of these causes and incase of any irregularity we have to consult to our doctor as soon as it is possible

because if it would not cure properly and on time it can further causes different problems for you.

Pulse Bounding
Pulse is the rate at which heart of the person beats. It is usually called your heart rate, which is the number of times your heart

beats each minute (bpm). Whether the blood vessel feels hard or soft, the rhythm and strength of the heartbeat can also be noted.
Pulse can be feel at different places such as at the neck (carotid artery), at the wrist (radial artery), behind the knee (popliteal

artery), on the inside of the elbow (brachial artery), and near the ankle joint (posterior tibial artery).As heart of a person pumps

blood through body, you can feel a pulsing in some of the blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. If you want to find out how

fast your heart is beating simply Count your pulse.

Pressure waves move through the artery walls. When heart is in contraction position, blood is ejected into the aorta and the aorta

stretches. At this point, the wave of distention which refers as pulse wave is pronounced but relatively slow-moving (3–6 m/s). It

becomes faster as it travels towards the peripheral blood vessels, its velocity is 7–10 m/s in the large arterial branches, and in the

small arteries, it is 15–35 m/s. From60 to 100 beats per minute (BPM), is a normal pulse rate for a healthy adult, while resting,

Some athletes may have a healthy pulse rate lower than 60 BPM. Moreover, pulse rates are higher in infants and young children.

Bounding pulse is often is classified as a powerful and strong pulse. Arties which are visible

through skin can clearly make you see the forceful pumping of blood through these arteries.

Sometime it is happens because of excessive fluid in the circulation. Bounding pulse and

high speed in heart rate occur separately but it can happen together.

There are many conditions which cause bounding pulse these all are following there can be

other possibilities which can be identified by your doctor.

The list of causes is as under:

1. Berry aneurysm

2. Anaemia

3. Aortic regurgitation

4. Fever

5. Arterio-venous shunt

6. Pregnancy

For living a healthy life one should be very careful and precarious about his health. Bounding pulse is a disease which can be

dangerous so we have to look after ourselves.

Bounding Pulse
In medicine, Pulse is the throbbing persons arteries as an effect of the heart beat. Pulse can be felt in any place that allows for an

artery to be compressed against a bone, such as at the neck (carotid artery), at the wrist (radial artery), behind the knee (popliteal

artery), on the inside of the elbow (brachial artery), and near the ankle joint (posterior tibial artery). It can also be measured by

measuring the heart beats directly (the apical pulse).Strong and forceful pulse is refers as pulse bounding. It is a term which often

used medically. When heart beating rate is faster than normal, it may accompany a bounding pulse.
There are many symptoms associated with pulse bounding. Weakness and fatigue are the big symptoms of pulse bounding.

Patient often feels weakness in many parts of its body. Pulse bounding affects the lungs and patient feels difficulty in breathing.

Muscles become weak due to strong pulse. There are some other symptoms which cause bounding pulse like palpitation,

respiratory distress and headache. Patient cannot digest food due to this disease. Persons skin is very sensitive and many skin

problem results in pulse bounding. Another major symptom of pulse bounding is heart rhythm which originates electricity in

ventricles.

Some possible causes of pulse bounding are Berry berry aneurysm, Aortic regurgitation, Arterio venous shunt, Hypercapnia,

Febrile disorder and chronic aortic insufficiency. Sometime bounding pulse causes due to Anemia which refers to a low red blood

cell count. Patent ductus arteriosus is another cause of bounding pulse in which blood vessels in the body becomes fatal. Many

times this disease happened due to fever and sometimes in pregnancy, There are some other causes which likely increase the

pulse rate are acute alcoholism arotic inefficiency, Cirhossis and thyrotoxicosis.

Blood studies (CBC or blood differential), ECG, Echocardiogram and X-rays of the chest

must performed for the treatment of this disease. During x-ray of the chest rays pass through

the chest from the back (posterior-anterior view), and from one side to the other. An

electrocardiogram (ECG) test records the electrical activity of the heart. It also measures the

rate and regularity of heartbeats as well as the size and position of the chambers.

Echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart that

involves no radiation exposure.

Atrial Fibrillation
Heart’s two upper chambers are refers as Atrial e.g. the left and right atria and Fibrillating means quivering, or rapid beating of

the heart.

Atrial Fibrillation happens when there is Irregular and rapid beating of the atrial chambers and the normal system that conducts

electricity in the atria malfunctions. Electrical activity storm across both atria causes them to fibrillate 300 to 600 times per

minute. Atrial Fibrillation whether happens at high or low heart rates, its irregular rhythm means the ventricles can’t pump blood

efficiently to the rest of the body. Instead, blood begins to pools in the heart and the body doesn’t get enough. As a result the

normal coordination between the atria and the ventricles is lost

Atrial fibrillation can have a range of symptoms in patients. Many patients with atrial fibrillation are unaware of the abnormal

heart rhythm. The major symptom of atrial fibrillation is palpitations, an uncomfortable awareness of the rapid and irregular

heartbeat. Other symptoms of atrial fibrillation are happened when there is diminished delivery of blood to the body. These

symptoms include confusion, dizziness, fainting, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and angina.

Atrial fibrillation causes when atria are stimulated to contract very quickly and differently from the normal activity originating

from the sinoatrial node and this stimulation results in ineffective and uncoordinated contraction of the atria in atrial fibrillation,

and in a peculiarly organized contraction pattern in atrial flutter. These conditions of artia can be caused by impulses which are
transmitted to the ventricles in an irregular fashion or by some impulses failing to be transmitted. This results in irregular

ventricles beat, which leads to an irregular (and usually fast) pulse in atrial fibrillation.

Many options are available for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Treatment choice is based

on your heart rhythm and symptoms. Initially, medications are used for the treatment of

atrial fibrillation. Moreover taking medications, there are some other changes you can make

to improve your heart health. If your heart rhythm occurs irregularly more often with certain

activities, you must avoid them. Try to reduce the habit of smoking. Do not intakes

unlimited alcohol. Consult your doctor for specific alcohol guidelines. You should stop using

caffeine and avoid caffeinated products (such as tea, coffee, colas and some over-the-counter

medications).

Atrial Gallop
Atrial refers to the upper chamber of the heart and atrial flutter is a very rapid,very regular atrial tachycardia, occurring at rates

between 200 and 400 BPM, which typically have no associated isoelectric segments between the atrial complexes. The lack of an

isoelectric or baseline segment between the atrial waves, and the smooth, biphasic P wave morphology, gives the atrial baseline a

‘saw-tooth’ appearance on the ECG. That ‘saw-tooth’ appearance is the most distinctive, and unique, feature of atrial flutter.

Firstly when atrial flutter occurs, it is usually associated with a fast heart rate or tachycardia, and falls into the category of supra-

ventricular tachycardias. This type of rhythm occurs most often in individuals with cardiovascular disease (eg: hypertension,

coronary artery disease, and cardiomyopathy), it may occur spontaneously in people with otherwise normal hearts. It is frequently

degenerates into atrial fibrillation and not a stable rhythm. However, it may slowly persist for months to years. Initially Atrial

flutter is usually well tolerated (a high heart rate is for most people just a normal response to exercise), however, people who are

suffering with other underlying heart disease or poor exercise tolerance may rapidly develop symptoms, which can include

shortness of breath, chest pains, lightheadedness or dizziness, nausea and, in some patients, nervousness and feelings of

impending doom while this rhythm can sometimes go unnoticed, its onset is often marked by characteristic sensations of regular

palpitations. Such sensations usually last until the heart rate is controlled or episode resolves.

Gallop Atrial is the rhythm in which the gallop sound follows atrial systole in late diastole and is an audible fourth heart sound

due to forceful ventricular filling. Atrial gallop is type of sound which is frequently frequent found in hypertensive cardiovascular

disease, myocardial infarction, and in the presence of a prolonged atrioventricular conduction time.

The main goals of treatment of atrial gallop are to prevent temporary circulatory instability and to prevent stroke. Anticoagulation

may be required to decrease the risk of the latter while rate and rhythm control are principally used to achieve the former. When

circulatory collapse is imminent in emergency cases due to uncontrolled tachycardia, immediate cardioversion may be indicated.

If rate and rhythm control of the atrial gallop cannot be maintained by medication or cardioversion, electrophysiological studies

with pathway ablation may be required.

Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are irregularity of the heart’s rhythmic beating. Many people experienced these

irregular beating occasional, brief irregular heartbeats that feel like a skipped, fluttering or

racing heartbeat.

An arrhythmia can also mean that your heart skips a beat or has an extra beat However,

some heart arrhythmias may cause bothersome sometimes even life-threatening signs and

symptoms. These irregular changes can be brought on by strong emotions or exercise.

Arrhythmias are not a cause for alarm. If this disease occur more often or cause symptoms may be more serious and need to be

discussed with your doctor. This type of abnormality if remained uncured might as well lead to the death of the patient.

There are many symptoms associated with Arrhythmias but sweating and cardiac arrest are the major one. Some time it happens
because of shortness of breath and sometimes even u feel pain in your chest. Some other symptoms whish results in irregularity

of heart beat are Heart murmur, Fainting Skipping beats - changes in the pattern of the pulse, Paleness, Light-headedness,

dizziness, Difficulty exercising,

Slow heartbeat

There are many causes of Arrhythmias. It can be caused by high blood pressure heart disease. Heart disease may the irregular

beating of heart or sometimes faster the beating rate. Some other causes which results in of arrhythmias are Stress, caffeine,

smoking, alcohol, pregnancy, and some medications can also cause an arrhythmia. In some patients arrhythmia may be caused by

a congenital heart defect (a heart problem from birth).

There are many options of the treatment of this disease. Heart beat becomes regular with an

artificial pacemaker. It is an electronic device placed under the skin on the chest. Pacemaker

helps the heart to maintain a regular beat, especially when the heart beats too slowly. Cardiac

defibrillation is type of soft shock and can be used to stop an abnormal rhythm and restore a

normal one. Surgery is another option for the treatment of arrhythmias. For example,

arrhythmias caused by disease coronary artery and it may be controlled by bypass surgery.

Sometimes heart can be destroyed or removed when an arrhythmia is caused by a certain

area of the heart. Before starting any treatment of arrhythmias specialists first try to rule out

reversible causes of ventricular arrhythmias.

Pericardial Friction Rub

Introduction :

Pericardial friction rub is also known as pericardial rub. It is a sign on the precordial exam, detected by auscultation that suggests

irritation of the pericardium and the diagnosis of pericarditis. The cause of this rub is that inflammation of the pericardial sac

causes the parietal and visceral surfaces of the roughened pericardium to rub against each other. This rubbing produces an extra
cardiac sound of to-and-fro character with both systolic and diastolic components. When heard carefully one, two, or three

components of a pericardial friction rub may be audible. While hearing a three-component rub indicates the presence of

pericarditis and serves to distinguish a pericardial rub from a pleural friction rub, which ordinarily has two components. The

sound of a pericardial rub resembles the sound of squeaky leather and is often described as grating, scratching, or rasping. The

sound of this particular rub seems very close to the ear and may seem louder than or may even mask the other heart sounds. If

you want to hear these rubs then the best place is between the apex and sternum but may be widespread. The sound is comprised

of three parts: Two diastolic, and one systolic.

Symptoms :

When we are talking about the symptoms of Pericardial rub then Chest pain is the cardinal symptom. To describe the pain it can

be said that it is sharp, dull, aching, burning, or pressing. The intensity of the pain varies from barely perceptible to severe. The

person may also have fever. Infants can also feel abdominal pain.

Causes :

It is important to know about the main causes of pericarditis and mostly they are the

infections in the body. Kidney infections and other metastatic diseases are the most

common causes of Pericardial rub. If a person is having kidney problems it would cause

toxins in the body to build up because wastes are not properly excreted. It is also

important to note that people who have had a history of heart attacks are at a higher risk

of developing pericarditis. People who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are also

prone to acquiring it. Tuberculosis can also lead to this disease. Certain medical

procedures and processes could also cause pericarditis.

Treatment :

To cure pericardial rub the drugs usually prescribed as the ones that can reduce the

inflammation. The person has to take right dose of aspirin which is considered an

effective initial therapy. If common drugs don’t help then probably steroids may be given.

Pericardial Effusion
Pericardial effusion is the build up of fluid around the heart and it is an abnormal accumulation in the pericardial cavity. Since

there is a limited amount of space in the pericardial cavity, the fluid accumulation will lead to an increased intrapericardial

pressure and this can negatively affect heart function and will lead to malfunctioning. Pericardial effusion is a result of disturbed

equilibrium between the production and re-absorption of pericardial fluid, or from a structural abnormality that allows fluid to

enter the pericardial cavity.

There are three types of pericardial effusion. It may be transudative in case of congestive heart failure, myxoedema, nephrotic

syndrome, exudative in case of tuberculosis, spread from empyema or haemorrhagic in case of trauma, rupture of aneuryms,

malignant effusion.

Symptoms :

Generally speaking the condition will lead to Chest pain, pressure symptoms. However a small effusion may have no symptoms.

Pericardial effusion may also be noticed after a specific type of heart defect repair. An Atrial Septal Defect Secundum, or ASD,

when repaired will most likely produce a pericardial effusion because of the method of treatment. Another symptom of

pericardial effusion is the so-called “water-bottle heart” is a radiographic sign of pericardial effusion, in which the

cardiopericardial silhouette is enlarged and assumes the shape of a flask or water bottle.

Some of the noticeable symptoms of this condition are as follows:

1. severe edema (fluid retention)

2. low blood pressure

3. shortness of breath

4. dizziness

5. chest pain

6. cough

7. rapid pulse

Causes :

Some causes of pericardial effusion other than inflammatory types of arthritis, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis including:

1. cancer

2. infection

3. kidney failure

4. heart surgery

5. hemorrhage

6. trauma

7. unknown cause

Treatment :

If the amount of fluid does not increase or is small then no treatment is required to remove it. When the condition of the disease is

more severe, it is usually drained using a needle which is passed through the chest wall and into the space where the fluid is

located. In some cases, when it is unavoidable then a surgery is required to drain the fluid.
The treatment of this condition is usually with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication,

though steroid therapy may be recommended and sometimes surgical intervention is needed,

or drainage of fluid from around the heart. If the disease is treated promptly and regularly,

most people recover in two weeks to three months.

Bruit
A carotid bruit is an abnormal sound from the heart. The sound is in synchronization with

the heartbeat. It is generally caused by turbulent blood flow, such as caused by irregularities

in the wall of the blood vessel or by an abnormal connection (fistula) between an artery and vein. A bruit that is normally heard

over the carotid artery is a sign that there are fats in the wall of the vessel.

The bruit can be heard by using a stethoscope to listen to blood flow in the carotid artery. The carotid artery is the main artery in
the neck region and is responsible for bringing blood to the head. A bruit indicates a fatty buildup (atherosclerosis) in the artery.

Carotid bruit is a sign of the person’s higher stroke risk.

A bruit does not necessarily mean the carotid artery will become more clogged and a stroke will result however it does expose

you to higher risk and means that you and your doctor should do everything you can to reduce your risk. There could be

abdominal bruits as well.

This is also possible that a bruit is only temporary and goes away on its own. Treatment of

the underlying cause if treated timely and properly will make it go away. If your carotid

artery is more than 50 percent blocked it is necessary to perform a surgery to remove the

fatty buildup (endarterectomy) or to open the narrowed artery (angioplasty and perhaps

stenting) may be necessary.

Symptoms :

The following are the symptoms which are associated with the bruits and doctor need to

examine it very carefully.

1. Tearing pain in the abdomen

2. Peripheral pulses

3. Thirst Hypotension

4. A weak and thready pulse

5. Mottled knees and elbows

6. Cool and clammy skin

7. Restlessness

8. Diarrhea
 9. Edema, weakness and paresthesia

Causes :

There could be many underlying causes of bruit. The following medical conditions are some to mention

1. Abdominal aortic aneurysm

2. Abdominal aortic sclerosis

3. Anaemia

4. Carotid artery stenosis

5. Carotid cavernous fistula

6. Peripheral arteriovenous fistula

7. Peripheral vascular disease

8. Renal artery stenosis

9. Subclavian steal syndrome

10. Thyrotoxicosis

11. Benign normal variant in children

12. Abdomina aortic aneurysm

13. Abdominal aortic atherosclerosis

14. Anemia

Treatment :

1. A regular medication for further deterioration

2. Smoking and alcohol cessation

3. Treat hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia

4. Carotid angioplasty is currently under study

5. Patients with underlying disease processes require appropriate treatment.

Reduced Heart Function

Reduced Heart Function is the condition when the heart doesn’t function properly. The name means that one or more chambers of

the heart “fail” to keep up with the volume of blood flowing through them.

Reduced Heart Function may include the left side, the right side or both sides of the heart. Each side of the heart has two

chambers — an atrium (upper chamber) and a ventricle (lower chamber). Total Heart failure occurs when any one of these four

chambers is no longer able to keep up with the volume of blood flowing through it.
Heart dysfunction may affect the left, right or both sides of the heart.

If the left half of the heart fails there would be fluid retention in the lungs due to congestion of the veins in the lungs.

If the right half of the heart fails general body vein pressure will increase and fluid will accumulate in the body, especially

in the legs and in the abdominal organs, with the liver most likely to be affected.

Most of the times left heart failure lead to right heart failure,

causing biventricular failure which is an extremely fatal condition.

Reduced Heart Function leading to a heart failure usually is a

chronic disease condition that gradually gets worse. So, there is a

good reason to have regular health checkups. If this is an ongoing

practice then during a routine physical examination, your doctor

may detect signs of heart failure long before you experience

symptoms.

Symptoms :

Typical signs of heart failure include:

Left-sided heart failure

1. Shortness of breath together with a reduction in mobility

2. Breathing problems in case of exertion in patients with less severe problems

3. A dry cough

4. Fatigue.

Right-sided heart failure and biventricular failure

1. Swelling in the legs (oedema).

2. Swelling may lead to dry skin on the lower part of the legs. Presence of eczema-type rash on legs, which can be

complicated by ulcers that do not heal

3. Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity and organs, especially the liver.

4. At the same time the other organs try to compensate for the dysfunction for example:

5. Heart Enlargement

6. Heart Pumps Faster

7. Blood Vessels

8. Blood Flow Is Diverted

Causes :

There could be many causes for the reduced heart function which can be caused by many diseases.

1. Hypertension

2. Heart valves diseases

3. Ischaemic heart disease

4. Cardiomyopathy

5. Congenital heart diseases

6. Endocrine disorders

7. Anaemia (rare)

Treatment :

Heart failure is a progressive disease, with the potential for gradual deterioration. Treatment can often only slow down the

progression of the illness and substantially increase your quality of life and span as well.

1. Treat causes of heart failure

2. Stopping smoking,

3. Reduction in weight

4. Controlling high blood pressure.

Use of drugs asAspirin Clopidogrel (Plavix) can be given instead of aspirin.

1. Prescription of agents for increasing cardiac function such as Digoxin, Beta Blockers, ACE inhibitors, Diuretics etc.

Cor Pulmonale
Cor pulmonale is a disease in which there is a change in structure and function of the right ventricle of the heart as a result of a

respiratory disorder. There are two types of cor pulmonale including Right ventricular hypertrophy or RVH which is the

predominant change in chronic cor pulmonale and in acute cases dilation dominates. Both cases of hypertrophy and dilation are

the result of increased right ventricular pressure.

Dilation is normally a stretching of the ventricle, and is the immediate result of increasing the pressure in an elastic container. On

the other hand Ventricular hypertrophy is an adaptive response to a long-term increase in pressure. As a result additional muscle

grows to allow for the increased contractile force required to move the blood against greater resistance.

It is essential for the disease to be classified as cor pulmonale, should originate in the pulmonary circulation system. Two major

causes are vascular changes as a result of tissue damage and chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Cor pulmonale is fatal

to health and if left untreated, cor pulmonale can lead to right-heart failure and death.
Symptoms :

In most of the patients there are certain common symptoms that may

suggest the presence of cor pulmonale in a patient with pulmonary or

cardiopulmonary disease include:

1. Worsening tachypnoea, particularly at rest

2. Feeling fatigued and lassitude

3. Edema or Ankle swelling

4. A condition of worsening exertional dyspnoea with significant

recent deterioration in exercise tolerance

5. A case of worsening cough (particularly if non-productive)

6. A feeling of Angina-type chest discomfort – often non-responsive to nitrates (thought to be due to right ventricular
ischaemia or stretching of pulmonary artery during exertion)

7. Haemoptysis (due to pulmonary arteriolar rupture or leakage)

8. Hoarseness – occurs occasionally due to compression of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve by dilated pulmonary artery

9. Exertional syncope – a late symptom indicating severe disease

10. Late-stage hepatic congestion can cause anorexia, jaundice and right-upper-quadrant abdominal discomfort.

Causes :

The disease is associated with almost any chronic lung disease or condition causing prolonged low blood oxygen can lead to cor

pulmonale. A few of these causes include:

1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

2. Obstructive sleep apnea

3. Central sleep apnea

4. Mountain sickness

5. Cystic fibrosis

6. Primary pulmonary hypertension

7. Pneumoconiosis

8. Kyphoscoliosis

9. Interstitial lung disease

10. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease

 11. Pulmonary vascular disease

12. Pulmonary hypertension

Treatment :

Acute cor pulmonale is treated by trying to rapidly correct the underlying precipitant which is often acute pulmonary embolism

or an infective exacerbation of COPD. Similarly, in chronic cor pulmonale, treatment of the underlying cause is combined with

specific management as below:

1. Long term Oxygen therapy

2. Diuretics

3. Vasodilators

4. In many cases, Inotropic drugs, particularly digoxin, are frequently used but there is little evidence for their efficacy in
right heart failure, in contrast to their use with left ventricular failure

Myocarditis
Introduction : Myocardium is the heart muscle. Myocarditis is a condition in which there is inflammation of the heart muscle.

Various causes are associated with the development of Myocarditis. It varies from person to person, depending on the cause and

severity, symptoms and possible problems associated with myocarditis. Sometimes it can range from no symptoms at all, to life-

threatening heart failure.

Symptoms : The symptoms of myocarditis depend on the cause and severity of the inflammation. Most of the time people with

viral myocarditis do not have any heart-related symptoms and lead a normal life. The heart inflammation may be diagnosed by

some changes on an ECG of the infected person. If symptoms do develop they can include:

chest pain

fever

a fast heartbeat

tiredness

Causes : Myocarditis can affect anyone and occur at any age. There are various causes of myocarditis ranging from mild to fatal

ones. In many cases, the cause of myocarditis is not found even with the test and proper diagnosis. Many types of virus infection

can affect our various body parts including the heart muscle. So, myocarditis may develop with a viral throat or chest infection,

or when you have flu or just after. Our body’s immune system if working properly can clear many types of virus within a week or

so. However there are many other causes also which are less common including patients with HIV infection, by various bacteria,

fungi, parasites and other germs etc. and it could be a rare side-effect of some medicines.
Treatment : The treatment given in cases of myocarditis depends on the cause

and severity. For example, if the patient has only mild viral myocarditis, no

particular treatment is necessary. Painkillers are there to ease chest pain and fever.

You may be advised by your cardiologist not to do strenuous exercise until your

ECG has returned to normal. On the other hand, for more uncommon causes, or

cases with complications, a range of treatments may be needed which may

include the following options:

1. Oxygen.

2. Arrhythmias.

3. A pacemaker

4. Antibiotics if it is found that cause of the myocarditis is a bacterial infection

5. Steroid medication in case of giant-cell myocarditis

6. Stopping usage of alcohol

7. Medicines for inflammation

8. Low salt diet

9. In case of very weak heart muscle, medicines to treat heart failure are also prescribed. Abnormal heart rhythms may

require a pacemaker, or defibrillator. If there is a blood clot in the heart chamber, blood thinning medicine is given as

well.

Endocarditis
Introduction : Endocarditis is a rare condition which leads to the inflammation of the heart lining endocardium, heart muscles

and heart valves. The disease is caused by an infection of the endocardium, usually with bacteria. Endocarditis causes vegetations

to form on the heart valves, making it more difficult for the heart to function properly. People with a healthy are lesser at a risk of

developing Endocarditis. One is more at risk of developing endocarditis with a heart defect. When talking about gender, men are

twice more at risk than women to be affected by endocarditis as women. Endocarditis can occur at any age, but people who are

aged 50 years and over are more at risk of developing this disease.

Symptoms : Inmost case the symptoms of Endocarditis tend to appear gradually, usually over a period of several weeks or

months known as sub-acute endocarditis. However, in some cases, the infection can develop very quickly and is known as acute

endocarditis. Acute endocarditis symptoms are more severe and can develop after just a few days. The symptoms of

endocarditis may include:

Fever,

Chills,
 A new or changed heart murmur,

Sweating

Muscular aches and pains,

Chest pain,

Coughs,

Weakness and fatigue,

Headache,

Shortness of breath,

Unexplained weight loss,

Small areas of bleeding under fingernails or toenails,

Broken blood vessels on the whites of the eyes and in the skin,

Swelling of feet, legs, abdomen,

Blood in the urine, and

Tender nodules (small lumps) on finger and toes.

Causes : Endocarditis is most commonly caused by bacteria by entering the blood stream and attaching itself to heart valves and

tissues. The infection causes inflammation of the endocardium and can also cause vegetations and abscesses to develop on the

heart valves and muscles. If bacteria make their way into the endocardium, they can attack the heart tissue, causing endocarditis

to develop. Bacteria can occasionally spread from infected areas of your body. Sometimes, certain medical and dental procedures

give way to bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Some diagnostic tests also put the patient on risk of developing the disease

including gastrointestinal procedures used to examine the organs which take in and digest food, such as the mouth, stomach and

intestines.

Treatment Most cases of endocarditis will be treated with a course of

antibiotics. Normally a person with this disease needs to be admitted to the

hospital for treatment. During the hospital stay, blood samples will be taken

regularly to measure the effectiveness of the treatment. Sometimes surgical

procedures are required to repair the damage and the three main common

surgical procedures are

1. the repair of the damaged heart valve,

2. the replacement of the damaged heart valves with artificial ones,

3. The draining of abscesses that may develop in the heart muscle.

Heart Enlargement
Introduction :

Cardiac enlargement or heart enlargement is an increase in the size of the heart. Generally there are two types of cardiac

enlargement, Hypertrophy and Dilation. Hypertrophy is an increase in the thickness of the heart muscle and Dilation is an

increase in the size of the inside cavity of a chamber of the heart. Hypertrophy usually occurs in only one chamber of the heart

and dilation on the other hand may occur in one, two, three, or all of the chambers, based on its cause.

Symptoms :

Some people can have varying degrees of cardiac enlargement and have no symptoms. Once dilation or hypertrophy begins to

place undue demands on heart function, however, symptoms do result and include shortness of breath, chest pressure or pain,

Palpitations Swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs, dizziness or lightheadedness, loss of consciousness. In milder forms of cardiac
enlargement, the symptoms may occur only with exercise or exertion. However, in more severe forms, they can occur at any

time, even while lying down. These symptoms are not specific to heart enlargement but may occur with other diseases of heart

and lung as well.

Causes :

Enlarged heart is a sign of an underlying problem and itself not a disease. It can have many causes, including high blood pressure,

heart valve disorders, weakness of the heart muscle, severe anemia, thyroid disorders, excessive iron in the body, and abnormal

protein buildup in an organ.

Treatment :

Treatment for an enlarged heart may include medications, such as ACE

inhibitors, to lighten the heart’s pumping load and keep it from further

enlargement. Treatment should be aimed at the cause of the enlarged heart

and reversing it through medications or any suitable way. Diuretics may

be prescribed for those patients who are suffering with heart failure.

Prevention of the underlying diseases that could worsen the condition may

be minimized by certain modifications as:

1. Eating a balanced, low-fat diet

2. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels

3. Keeping blood pressure under control

4. Engaging in a regular exercise program

5. Visiting the physician regularly

Proper management, such as controlling high blood pressure, treating valve disease and discontinuing alcohol consumption may

reverse an enlarged heart. Most importantly a significant change in the lifestyle will also help to minimize the affects of the

condition and will improve the life quality.

Congestive Heart Failure

General Information :

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart ability to pump oxygenated blood to all of the body parts is

inadequate with respect to the needs. It is a serious condition which leaves the person with short of breath and tiredness in case of

exertion.

Symptoms :

The symptoms of CHF vary from individual to individual depending upon the involvement of the organs affected by the
condition. A very early indicator is fatigue which although is a sensitive indicator but could be directly related to many conditions

other than Congestive Heart Failure.

A very active person in the past may become inactive since his body cannot take the exertion. With increasing fluid retention,

swelling (edema) of the ankles and legs or abdomen may be noticed. Fluid may also accumulate in the lungs, hence causing

shortness of breath, especially while exercise and when lying flat. Sometimes the patients are awakened at night, gasping for air

due to shortness of breath. Some patients have to sit upright to sleep since this is the only comfortable condition. Patients may

need to urinate more with the fluid retention especially in the night. Accumulation of fluid in the liver and intestines may cause

malfunctioning of related organs such as nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.

Causes :

The impaired pumping efficiency of the heart is caused by many disease processes to cause congestive heart failure. In the United

States, the most common causes of CHF are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, long alcohol use, and disorders of the

heart valves. Less common causes are viral infections of the stiffening of the heart muscle, thyroid disorders, disorders of the

heart rhythm etc.

Treatment :

Perhaps the most important and yet most neglected aspect of treatment involves lifestyle modifications. The patient has to restrict

salt and fluid intake because of the tendency of fluid retention in the lungs and surrounding tissues. Similarly the patient is

advised to limit the intake of fluids from all sources to 2 quarts.

ACE inhibitors have a remarkable effect to prevent the development of heart failure and heart attacks and for the patients with

intolerance ACE inhibitors, an alternative group of drugs, called the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), may be used.
Digoxin (Lanoxin) has been traditionally used in

the treatment of congestive heart failure for

hundreds of years which stimulates the heart

muscle to contract more forcefully. Diuretics

prevent or alleviate the symptoms of fluid retention

by promoting the flow of fluid through the kidneys.

Heart transplantation is also a viable treatment

option in selected patients. Candidates for heart

transplants are generally under age 70 and do not

have severe or irreversible diseases affecting the

other organs.

Discovering the
Moyamoya Disease
Moyamoya means “a puff of smoke” in the Japanese language. This is how the Japanese had described how the tiny vessels look

when they become blocked, causing blood not to freely flow through. The disease is discovered in Japan by the 1960’s but it was

also seen in people living in Europe, Africa, Australia, and the United States.

However, the Moyamoya disease is very rare affecting only one in two million people in the U.S. This disease involves the brain

as well as the heart. In this disease, the arteries found at the base of the brain, more commonly called the basal ganglia, are

blocked.

Symptoms of the Moyamoya Disease

Medical experts are zeroing in on the theory that the Moyamoya disease is a hereditary disease. Most of its cases run within

families. With this, researchers are concluding that the disease could have resulted from an inherited genetic disorder.

The Moyamoya disease primarily targets the children although a number of adult cases are recorded as well. The main symptom

of this disease is stroke or mild ischemic attacks. Patients are also going to experience general weakness of the body, which may

eventually lead to partial paralysis and seizures.

And of the children affected with the Moyamoya disease, it is observed that the instances are more frequent in women than it is in

men. And as these female children grow up, they may experience complications upon reaching the childbearing age. They may

experience several problems associated to both pregnancy and the delivery of the baby, although the findings related to this issue

are not yet conclusive.

In adults, instances of hemorrhagic stroke are also documented. Adult patients also suffer from speech deficits and they also tend

to drift into unconsciousness from time to time. Their cognitive and sensory capabilities also become impaired and that includes

their vision.
Diagnosis of the Moyamoya disease

To accurately detect the Moyamoya disease, doctors usually request for a CT scan, or a computerized tomography of the head,

more particularly on the part where the blood vessel is blocked. Aside from a CT scan, they may also need a magnetic resonance

image of the affected are as provided by the MRI. An angiography, or an x-ray of the blood vessels involved is needed as well.

A newer diagnosis tool called the SPECT, or more particularly the single photon emission computerized tomography, is now

performed. This deviced is used to effectively display the effects of the deceased blood and oxygen supply to the affected areas of

the brain.

Treatment of the Moyamoya disease

The drugs commonly used to treat this disease are the blood thinning medicines referred to as the warfarin. Corticosteriod

medications are also given. However, the primary treatment of the Moyamoya disease is the revascularization surgery. This is a

type of surgery that repairs the narrowed opening of the blood vessels so as to restore the flow of blood to the brain.

But to perform this surgery, an extracranial-intrcranial bypass has to be done

first. This procedure also ensures that the instances of strokes related to the

disease are reduced. This surgery is more effective in children, but a lot of

adult patients who undergo it have lesser to zero occurrence of stroke after

surgery.

In milder cases, patients may not need surgery but just a draining of the

cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricular system. However, this procedure is

performed on adult patients only.

In highly rare cases, organ transplantation is carried out. But this is not

frequently done because it is not only critical; it also has a lot of medical and

legal implications. Fatal cerebral hemorrhage may happen if the procedure is not done and monitored correctly.

Understanding and Preventing Myocarditis

Myocarditis is a disease that is characterized by an inflammation of the heart muscles. This condition is usually caused by virus

infection like an echovirus, adenovirus, and the coxsackie virus. It may also develop after acquiring diseases like rubella, polio,

or influenza. Patients who develop myocarditis have observable weakened and inflamed heart muscles.

The Symptoms of Myocarditis

The first symptom of this disease is associated with its preceding viral disease, such as the ones stated above. In line with that,

fever may also develop and eventually severe chest pains are felt. The episode is so painful that it resembles a heart attack.

There would also be pains and swelling in the joints, particularly in the leg area. They would also find it hard to lie flat because

they would have difficulty in breathing when they do so. Patients will also feel that their hearts are not beating normally as

palpitations would occur. They will also observe that they get tired so easily and becomes short of breath even after a mild

exercise or physical activity.

Diagnosing Myocarditis

To diagnose this disease, several tests have to be performed. First off, a physical examination would show changes in the rhythm

of the heart of the patient. There would also be observable abnormal heartbeats and sounds. Fluid retention both in the lungs and

the leg area are also observed.

For a fuller diagnosis, patients are asked to undergo electrocardiograms and chest x-rays. An ultrasound of the heart, or more

particularly an echocardiogram, may also be requested so doctors will see how weak the heart muscle is and if the heart is

enlarged due to the fluid accumulating it.

Blood tests may also be performed so that both the white blood cells and red blood cells are counted. In the presence of any viral

diseases and infections, blood cultures are needed as well. A biopsy of the heart muscles may be done too, but doctors do this

quite rarely.

Treatment of Myocarditis

The treatment of myocarditis relies greatly on its underlying causes. First off, doctors would require the patient not to do

extraneous exercises and activities any longer. They would also ask their patients to stay clear of salty food and stick to a low-

sodium diet.

As for drugs, steroids are prescribed to patient with whom skin inflammations are observed. And to reduce the body’s tendency to

retain fluid, diuretics are given. Diuretic are drugs that remove the water from the body through urination.

For patient whose hearts are weak, medicines to address and prevent heart failures are given. Those who are prone to blood clots

in their hearts will be given blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin. The patients who have an abnormal rhythm of the heart

are given additional therapy, including a pacemaker.

Preventing Myocarditis

To prevent myocarditis, the occurrence of viral, parasitic, and bacterial

diseases have to be avoided. Today, several vaccines are available so

children won’t develop these diseases anymore that could lead to other

heart problems like myocarditis.

And when these diseases do show, a prompt and proper treatment has to

be performed. It is important that your health care provider is consulted

accordingly, especially if the symptoms associated to the disease become severe. It is not right to ignore chest pains, any swelling

in your body, and the instances wherein you had difficulty in breathing. These could very well develop into a heart problem if not

addressed early on.

The complications associated to myocarditis are heart failure, pericarditis, and cardiomyopathy. Pericarditis is an inflammation of

the heart’s sac-like covering while cardiomyopathy is the weakening of the heart muscles.

Detecting the Signs of Myocardial Ischemia Early On

If the heart’s myocardium fails to receive the proper amount of blood and oxygen, the disease called myocardial ischemia can

occur.The myocardium is the muscular tissues of the heart. Myocardial ischmemia is one type of a coronary heart disease (CAD),

and with that, is also called as the atherosclerotic CAD.

Myocardial ischmemia, together with all other CAD, are the leading causes of deaths worldwide. And this particular disease

accounts for the most number of emergency cases when compared to the different types of CAD. In the U.S. alone, it is the main

cause of an estimated 14% of all deaths recorded. And this is the reason why myocardial ischmemia has to be diagnosed before a

heart attack episode, for it can really be fatal.

The Symptoms of Myocardial Ischmemia

The importance of detecting this disease early on is essential. But doing so is not really easy. For one thing, myocardial

ischmemia may show no symptoms at all in a patient. However, some patients may experience unstable angina. Angina is the

medical term given to chronic chest pains and discomforts. This primarily results when the heart doesn’t get enough blood.

Chest pains are the most common symptom and perhaps the only one experienced by people with myocardial ischmemia. It is

then important that you don’t ignore any of the pains in the chest are that you may be feeling, no matter how mild they seem to

be. It is always best to consult with a doctor to accurately diagnose what disease you have.

Diagnosing Myocardial Ischmemia

As stated earlier, diagnosing myocardial ischmemia can really be difficult. And this disease may occur in men or women of all

ages. Usually, the doctors would request a definitive family history of the patient first. This will give them a clue whether or not

to look in that direction when diagnosing the disease.

Patients who come to a doctor complaining chest pains are asked to undergo a certain stress test. This is to determine the extent of

physical exertion their hearts can withstand. But this test is only applicable to people who are suspected to have mild myocardial

ischmemia.

The most effective diagnosis tool of this disease is a nuclear scan of the myocardium. Nuclear myocardial imaging can accurately

produce an image of the heart’s muscles, including their motion and perfusion. It can also assess the blood flowing through the

coronary artery. If this tool is not readily available, doctors may settle for an echocardiogram, as this device is a lot more

common in clinics and hospitals compared to the nuclear myocardial imaging device.

Treatment of Myocardial Ischmemia

To treat myocardial ischmemia, it is necessary that all the risks associated with the coronary artery disease be addressed first. In

line with this, a thrombolytic therapy may be performed. The purpose of this therapy is to dissolve thrombi or blood clots

forming in the blood vessels or inside the heart.

As for drugs, aspirin and other anti-platelet medicines have proven to help improve a patient’s condition. Nitrates may also be

prescribed so that the blood flowing to the heart is increased while the oxygen requirement of the myocardium is lowered. Beta-

blockers are a type of medicine that can also decrease the oxygen demand in the myocardial area. These drugs do it by

normalizing the heart’s cardiac work. And aside from these, there are also drugs called calcium channel blockers. These drugs
inhibit calcium ions to be transported into the cardiac area so that the muscles

become more relaxed, hence lower blood pressure.

But in essence, the type of drugs to take and the therapeutic procedures to you

have to undergo should be properly prescribed by your doctor. They are the one

who knows exactly the extent of your disease. It is necessary that you consult

with them early on precisely at the first signs of chronic chest pains. Self-

medicating, or much worse, ignoring chest pains are not going to be helpful at

all.

The Mucocutaneous Lymph Node

Syndrome
The mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome is also known as the Kawasaki disease. This is a disorder that affects the lymph

nodes, the mouth, and the skin of the patient. More often than not, it affects children 5 years and below. The real cause of this

disease is still unknown, but its symptoms can become very apparent. And if it is not treated early, serious complications may

arise.

In the United States, this particular disease is considered rare. On the estimate, it is only seen in 19 children out of 100,000 born.

But in Korea and Japan, or even those who have Korean or Japanese blood, the disease is more common.

Symptoms of The Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome

The primary symptom of the mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome is a fever that commonly lasts for five days or more. And

while the child is sick, red eyes, extensive body rashes, and chapped mouth and lips will be observed. The fever is usually higher

than 104 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius most of the time. And rashes can be seen on the stomach area, the chest, and

even in the genitals.

Patients will also have sore throats coupled with swollen tongues, which in turn, would have red bumps in it. And aside from the

lymph nodes, the palm and the soles will appear swollen as well and have a purple or a bluish color. And all this is just the first

phase of the disease. It is then mandatory that once these symptoms became apparent, a doctor has to be consulted right away.

The second phase will happen in the next two weeks. At that point, the child’s skin, both on the feet and hands, will start to peel.

Joint pains with diarrhea and vomiting are also expected. Episodes of severe abdominal pains will be experienced too.

Diagnosis of The Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome

Children with the mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome will have to undergo echocardiogram to diagnose the disease. An

electrocardiogram will effectively monitor the condition and functions of the patient’s hearts. Blood samples will also be taken so

that the doctor can accurately rule out other diseases with similar symptoms such as measles, scarlet fever, rheumatoid arthritis in
children, and others. After the doctor had arrived with a correct diagnosis of the syndrome, proper treatment has to be carried out

next.

Treatment of The Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome

To effectively treat this disease, treatment needs to start within ten days since the fever began. This syndrome requires

hospitalization and doctors would give gamma globulin to the patient. Gamma globulins are purified antibodies that combine in

the blood to boost up the body’s immune system to help fight the disease. It is an intravenous solution and several doses of which

may be given until the fever subsides. And along with gamma globulin, a high dosage of aspirin will also be prescribed so that

the risks of developing heart problems are lessened.

Complications of The Mucocutaneous Lymph Node

Syndrome

The main reason why this disease has to be cured early on is

because it can cause major complications to the heart. If

successfully diagnosed within 10 days when the fever began,

doctors can usually manage all the symptoms associated with the

disease. But the moment the disease goes beyond that mark

untreated, it can lead to vasculitis. Vasculitis is a type of

infection of the blood vessels. The blood vessels will become

inflamed and blood supply to the heart will be reduced.

Arrhythmia is another complication. This is a disease wherein the heart doesn’t follow a normal heartbeat pattern any longer.

Children who develop this are in the higher risk of developing heart failures eventually. This disease may be caused by the

abnormal functions of the heart valves.

Detecting Mitral Valve Prolapse In Its Early Stages

The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Its job is to control the flow of blood as it passes through

these two chambers. If it is working normally, the blood will flow forward from the left atrium into the left ventricle. The mitral

valve has two flaps. When the heart is at rest, the state of being in between beats, these two flap open to let the blood flow

through. The flaps only open outward, so blood will flow in one direction alone.

Now if a person develops mitral valve prolapse, the flaps are not working as it should. One of the flaps could be opening in both

directions, thus the blood have the tendency to go back to the left atrium instead of going forward. This disease can be congenital,

and statistics show that it is more common in women than in men. In a rough estimate, this disease is present in 1 for every 20

Americans.

Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse patients suffer from several symptoms. The most common one is that sensation that the heart is racing or is

skipping some beats. Medical experts also refer to this as palpitations.

Chronic chest pains are also observed. These pains can be so intense and may even last for a few minutes. They come and go

every now and then and it is usually caused by extraneous physical activities. But there are instances that the pains occur during

rest as well.

Shortness of breath is also a symptom, together with dizziness. Just like chest pains, these are also associated with energy

exertion. It is also quite observable that most people who have mitral valve prolapse succumbs panic and anxiety very easily.

Diagnosis of Mitral Valve Prolapse

A simple physical examination is usually enough to detect this disease. The doctor can detect its presence in the body by listening

to the heart with the use of a stethoscope. Usually, a clicking sound is heard. It is the abnormal flap itself that makes this sound.

Aside from that, there would also be a certain gushing sound made by blood as it flows back to the atrium. This gushing sound is

also referred to as a heart murmur.

And once the doctor has a fair idea of what disease you might have, you will be subjected to a more complex examination such as

an echocardiogram. This device generates an image of your heart through an ultrasound wave. The test can accurately show the

mitral valve while the blood is flowing through it. And if the disease is confirmed, treatment will follow suit.

Treatment for Mitral Valve Prolapse

More often than not, especially in milder cases, this problem of the mitral valve do not really need any special treatment at all.

Generally, it should not affect your health. But for the 2% of people who are suffering from complications, a treatment therapy is

recommended.

If mitral valve prolapse causes a person too intense a chest pain,

medicines like beta-blockers are prescribed. These are known to

make all other symptoms of the disease under control. But for

some who have their valves too leaky, a surgery maybe required

to fix it. Also, a change in lifestyle is in order. Lesser

participation in competitive sports as well as maintaining the

right diet is essential.

And just a reminder, all people diagnosed with mitral valve

prolapse, whether they are receiving treatment for it or not, have

to inform any health professional of their condition, especially if they intend to undergo surgery or dental work. This is to prevent

bacteria from entering their bloodstream that may cause infection.

Mitral Stenosis - The Faltering Heart Disease

Mitral stenosis is also referred to as mitral valve stenosis and it is the condition wherein the mitral valve opening of the heart

narrows. And when that happens, the blood coming from the left atrium down to the left ventricle flows with increased

resistance. Overall, the flow of blood is reduced and the blood pressure in the left atrium is increased causing it to enlarge. The

left atrium will begin to beat rapidly and over time, it will become irregular and result in atrial fibrillation.
Severe mitral stenosis will cause increase pressure in the lung’s blood vessels. Fluid will start to accumulate in the lungs causing

a reduced level of oxygen in the blood. A pregnant woman suffering from mitral stenosis will develop heart failure very rapidly.

Causes of Mitral Stenosis :

The most common cause of mitral stenosis is rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever usually occurs during childhood and it follows an

untreated scarlet fever or strep throat. However, rheumatic fever is treated long before with antibiotics so it is not anymore seen

in children of North America, Western Europe, and Australasia. This would further connote that mitral stenosis is more likely to

be seen in older individuals only.

There are also cases of congenital mitral stenosis. Babies with this condition may require surgery soon after birth because

statistics show that most of these babies don’t live beyond the age of two.

Symptoms of Mitral Stenosis :

The milder cases of mitral stenosis don’t usually produce symptoms. People can go on with their lives normally without feeling

anything wrong in their bodies. But this doesn’t mean that is should be ignored and leave untreated.

For people who are developing signs, they would have palpitations. Palpitations are the abnormal awareness of one’s heartbeat.

They would also get tired easily and experience shortness of breath. Most of the time, they would feel these after an extraneous

physical activity. But as the disease progresses, they would feel it even as they rest. In line with this, some patients won’t be able

to breath properly lying flat on their backs. They have to be propped up in pillows, sitting upright, or standing.

Patients with severe cases of mitral stenosis may have a flush seen in their cheeks. These are called mitral facies and are caused

by the lowered level of oxygen in the blood, coupled with the lung’s high blood pressure. There are also instances that they would

cough out blood because either a vein or a capillary had burst.

Diagnosing Mitral Stenosis :

A stethoscope should be enough to detect this disease because the heart will usually do some characteristic murmuring. A normal

person’s blood passes silently through the valve. But when there’s sound, there’s a problem inside.

But to make the diagnosis more accurate, and ECG test may be requested. The chest x-ray of the patient may reveal an

abnormally big left atrium. Echocardiography is also used to generate an image of the heart through an ultrasound wave.

Treatment of Mitral Stenosis :

Drugs are the first line of cure for people with mitral stenosis. Diuretics, beta-

blockers, calcium channel blockers and anticoagulants are all used. Diuretics

remove excess fluid in the body. And it can also reduce the blood pressure in the

lungs. Both beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers control the rhythms of

the heart. Anticoagulants, on the other hand, prevent blood clots leading to atrial

fibrillation.

Should drugs fail, the valve itself may need to be repaired or totally replaced. To

repair the valve, it is stretched out to make it bigger with the balloon
valvuloplasty procedure. But if the doctor deemed that this procedure wouldn’t do the patient any good, a heart surgery may be

done instead to replace the mitral valve with an artificial one.

Postpericardiotomy Syndrome Information

Statistics show that the increased number of the cardiac operations performed in the United States is directly related to the

increased number of patients diagnosed with postpericardiotomy syndrome. The postpericardiotomy syndrome is considered to

be a complication of a certain cardiac surgery, and it develops more particularly when the pericardium is opened. The syndrome

does not occur right after the operation, but a few days or even weeks after, mostly during the time when the patient had returned

home to recover.

Postpericardiotomy syndrome is said to occur in as many as 50% of the patients who had undergone surgery to the heart. The

postpericardiotomy syndrome is considered to be another disease that targets the body’s immune system and so it is referred to as

an autoimmune disease. The presence of this disease in the body causes the heart to produce its own set of antibodies to fight off

the infection it detects that is caused by a virus.

The Symptoms of Postpericardiotomy Syndrome

The main symptoms of this disease are malaise, dyspnea, anorexia, arthralgia, pleuritic pain, and myalgia. Malaise is the feeling

of tiredness, illness, and discomfort that grips a person for apparently no reason at all. Dyspnea is simply shortness of breath or

difficulty in breathing. Anorexia is the inability to eat properly, thus causing loss in body weight. Arthralgia is the medical term

given to joint pains so intense it seem to be penetrating right through the bones. Pleuritic pain is the pain associated to the lungs

and is usually caused by viruses. And lastly, myalgia is type of muscle pain triggered by the overstretching or overworking of the

muscles. Aside from all of these, patients are also expected to develop fever and an increased heartbeat.

The Diagnosis of Postpericardiotomy Syndrome

Diagnosing this disease is not really easy, as a series of tests have to be conducted just to arrive at a very accurate diagnosis. First,
a complete blood count is conducted. This is to determine the level of the red blood cells and the white blood cells present in the

body. After that, an x-ray of the chest has to be performed so that the amount of fluid present inside is the lungs, if any, is

detected.

Echocardiography is a standard diagnostic test. This done so that the heart is properly monitored as to what is its response to the

disease. Cardiac MRI may also be requested so that a more detailed image of the heart is produced. Some doctors may settle for

an ECG or an electrocardiograph in the absence of a more definite test for the heart.

The Treatment of Postpericardiotomy Syndrome

To treat this disease, patients are given anti-inflammatory drugs so that the pain is relieved soon enough, if not instantly.

Salicylates are usually given in a 300 milligrams dosage every 6 hours. Prednisone is also prescribed and the dosage of this drug

depends upon the weight of the patient. Some doctors may give steroids so that the body’s defense is maximized and viral

infections are cast away.

But if these drugs fail to improve the condition of the patient, doctors have

to perform the next level of treatment, which is surgery. Specialized

surgeons, more particularly the cardiothoracic surgeons, are needed to

perform the procedure. Cardiothracic surgeons are medical experts that are

best qualified to perform surgery on a patient with the postpericardiotomy

syndrome.

And as part of the patient’s treatment therapy, they are advised to avoid

strenuous physical activities as they could worsen their condition. For

patients who have developed relatively mild cases of postpericardiotomy

syndrome, adequate bed rest is needed. And it is strictly required if fever is

present in the patient.

Polyarteritis Nodosa Disease Information

Polyarteritis nodosa is considered to be a rare disease. It is a type of disorder that attacks the person’s immune system. It is

characterized by the inflammation of the arteries, which is otherwise known as arteristis. And since it’s the arteries that are

involved, the rest of the body can possibly be affected. Most of the time, it attacks the skin, the muscles, the joints, nerves,

intestines, and even the kidney.

This disease is more observed in middle-aged individuals than in children, regardless of sex. People who had once suffered from

Hepatitis B are more likely to develop this disease. There are no signs or researches proving that this disease can be inherited.

Polyarteritis nodosa is sometimes alternatively called as periarteritis nodosa.

Symptoms of Polyarteritis Nodosa

The people who are suffering from polyarteritis nodosa will experience pain in the particular part of the body where the condition

of the arteries had grown severe. All the symptoms associated with an organ not receiving the right amount of blood and oxygen

is expected. If the abdominal area were affected, there would probably be bleeding inside the intestinal area. Local bowel death

and abdominal pains are going to be experienced as a result. Patients will also complain of getting tired easily. They would also

get chills and fever from time to time.

The body weight of a person with polyarteritis nodosa will be reduced over time. More often than not, the body mass lost is

usually 4 kilograms or more. Aside from this, there will also be skin discolorations in the lower extremities or near the torso.

Muscles pains are going to be common, and they are going to either feel week or tender.

Diagnosing Polyarteritis Nodosa

To diagnose this disease, patients are asked to undergo a series of blood tests. The patient’s red and white blood cells are counted

and are adjusted accordingly. A biopsy of the tissue is also performed so that the exact location of the inflamed blood vessel is

revealed. An angiogram is preferred when the arteries inflamed are suspected to be in the kidneys.

The blood pressure of a person is also noted. People suffering from polyarteritis nodosa also suffer from hypertension. For people

with a history of Hepatitis B, virus tests are requested again, just to make sure that the disease won’t resurface again.

Treatment of Polyarteritis Nodosa

If polyarteritis nodosa is not medically attended to right away, the results may be fatal. Polyarteritis nodosa is considered to be a

serious disease and its presence should not be ignored. Certain medications are prescribed and drugs like prednisone,

cyclophosphamide, and azathioprine drugs are the ones mostly prescribed. Prednisone is an oral cortisone drug. Both

cyclophosphamide and azathioprine are classified to be under the immunosuppressive drug category. On the other hand, hepatitis

B patients are given antiviral drugs such as interferon-alpha and vidarabine. Some doctors give these drugs in a certain

combination. They also determine the right dosage of these drugs in relation to the severity of the patient’s case. The main goal of

the therapy is to decrease the inflammation that is present in the arteries.

Complications of Polyarteritis Nodosa

If left untreated, polyarteritis nodosa may escalate to a more severe condition such as

stroke and eventual kidney failure. Some patients will have an increased risk of

developing heart attacks. There will also be intestinal necrosis and perforation if the

abdominal tract is severely affected.

It is then advised that the earliest detection of the disease is achieved. The sooner the

disease is treated, the better the outcome is for the patients. Unfortunately, this disease

cannot be prevented outright. But then again, if the symptoms and the damages caused by

the disease are attended to early, the treatment procedure becomes a lot simpler.

Tachycardia - A Cardiovascular Disease

Tachycardia is a type of a cardiovascular disease, which is characterized by an abnormal and very rapid beating of the heart. A

person with tachycardia has a heartbeat rate of around one hundred beats in a minute more than a person who has a normal heart

rate. And if the heart does this all the time, certain health problems would occur as a result.

Tachycardia is considered to be a harmful condition because if the heart beats too fast, the ventricles won’t be filled up with

blood completely. When that happens, there won’t be enough blood to circulate throughout the body. And of course, if the heart

beats fast, it means it is exerting too much effort. It then requires more oxygen to function. And eventually, it will work itself out

until heart diseases such ischemia and infarction develops.

The Causes of Tachycardia

Tachycardia is usually associated with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the hardening of the heart’s arteries. Aside from

atherosclerosis, diseases to the heart, the lungs, and the thyroid gland are considered to be the usual causes of tachycardia. Heart

failure, pneumonia, and heart failures are its common examples.

But this disease may also be caused by a person’s errant lifestyle. Too much alcohol, nicotine, and even caffeine in the body from

the food they eat can very much cause this disease to develop. Consequently, certain medications cause the heart to beat fast.

Drug abuse, especially in the prohibited drug cocaine is another culprit. Intense and prolonged emotional stress has to be

monitored as well, because studies had shown that it is also a factor as to why tachycardia develops in a person.

The Symptoms of Tachycardia

The most common symptom of this disease is palpitation. Palpitation is the abnormal awareness of your heart beating or

pounding in your rib cage. Palpitations also imply that the heart is doing some extra beats or is missing a beat altogether. But for

a person with tachycardia, it is the former that is always observed.

Dizziness or feeling light-headed is also common to people with this disease. Sometimes, the episode is too severe that they are

either close to fainting or had actually lost consciousness. Along with this, they will also experience shortness of breath even

though they are not doing any extraneous physical activities at all. Anxiety becomes a way of life and chronic chest pains occur

from time to time.

The Diagnosis of Tachycardia

The first line of diagnosis conducted to a person suspected to have tachycardia is to acquire his medical history. The symptoms

associated to the disease are analyzed, together with his family background. Doing so ensures that the groundwork for an

accurate diagnosis is laid. After which, the actual tests take place.

The choice as to which test to perform depends upon the doctor’s initial diagnosis, requirements, and even expertise. The most

common tests performed are ECG, echocardiogram, and cardiac catheterization. But some doctors would additionally request for

stress tests and electrophysiologic studies on top of those tests. Alternatively, laboratory tests, which include blood tests and urine

examinations, may also be requested.

The Treatment of Tachycardia

The treatment of tachycardia depends entirely on the main cause of the disease. Medicines are given to both treat the episodes
currently experienced as well as to prevent the onset of new ones. Antipyretics

are administered if there are instances of fever that are associated with the

disease. Beta-blockers like propanolol are given for tachycadia due to

hyperthyroidism. If the disease is caused by arrythmia, then drugs that prevent

the occurrence of arrythmia, called the antiarrythmic drugs are prescribed.

The main principle being followed in the treatment of this disease is to make sure

that the heart functions, which are affected most, are addressed properly. It is also

important that any complications arising from the disease are prevented at all

costs.

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

The superior vena cava syndrome is a disease that is characterized by an impaired

blood flow through the superior vena cava going to the heart’s right atrium. The superior vena cava is a large vein, which is

responsible in transmitting blood to the heart from the torso and the rest of the upper body. This vein can be found right in the

middle of the chest. It is bounded by firm structures as well as lymph nodes. The structures the surrounds it include the aorta,

trachea, pulmonary artery, the thymus, and the lung’s right bronchus.

The Symptoms of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Patients who developed this disease tend to have swollen face, arms, and neck. The veins located in the neck are dilated and it

can become very noticeable. Coughing is also very common among patients and they tend to experience shortness of breath even

without doing any extraneous physical activity. Their voices also become noticeably hoarse because of it.

And aside from these, patients also experience undue fatigue and chronic chest pains. Headaches and dizziness are occurs more

frequently than normal. And their face, arms, and neck are not only the ones that would become swollen. Eventually, their eyes

will also bulge out due to swelling.

The Causes of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

A disease that directly affects the superior vena cava and the lymph nodes that surrounds it can cause the disease. Instances such

as circulatory leakages in the lymph drainage and the veins are the most common culprits. Also, superior vena cava syndrome can

either be considered as cancerous or benign.

If the syndrome is said to be cancerous, the usual causes of it are lymphoma, lung cancer, metastasis, breast cancer, and testicular

cancer. If it is a rather benign condition, the disease could be caused by tuberculosis, syphilis, pericarditis, tumors, pneumothorax,

sarcoidosis, and other internal infections. But most of the time fungi cause them.

The Diagnosis of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

To diagnose this disease, doctors would request a series of x-rays, mostly to the chest. This is done so as to produce an image of

the heart, more particularly of the area where the superior vena cava is located. But to achieve a more accurate diagnosis, doctors
would perform a CT scan or an MRI instead. These two advanced diagnostic tools can correctly define the root cause of the

disease.

And depending on the doctor’s expertise, he may also request for an ultrasound, or an echocardiogram of the heart so that the

nature and the exact site of obstruction is detected. These are all important so that the proper treatment of the disease can be

carried out.

The Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Fortunately enough, doctors have several treatment options to cure the disease. But as always, treatment is dependent on the

nature of the obstruction and the severity of the disease. Doctors may also consider the physical ability of the patient as well as

his personal needs and requirements.

Aggressive treatments may be conducted immediately. And among the methods used are radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

These two are just slightly different from each other. There are some tumors that are sensitive to chemotherapy. But for the others

that are not, radiation therapy is more effective.

Thrombolysis and stent placement are two other methods that doctors

can use to treat the disease. Thrombolysis is the process of breaking

down blood clots that could be main cause of the disease. And this can

be carried out in two ways. It can be done through the use of

thrombolytic drugs or through a more invasive procedure. Stent

placement, on the other hand, is the process of inserting a small metal

tube or a scaffold so that the blood vessels are held open. This reduces

the instances of high blood pressure as well as cardiac arrest in some patients.

Surgery is another option. This is more preferable to patients who have benign obstructions rather than those with malignant

obstructions. But then again, due to the advancement of medicine and science, several doctors have mastered the use of a surgical

bypass operation to patients who have malignant obstructions.

Understanding And Preventing Phlebitis

Phlebitis is a disease that is characterized by an inflammation in the veins. This disease can affect both the deeper part of the

veins as well as the surface. The type that affects the skin surface is called superficial phlebitis. This type of phlebitis is not

considered serious. In fact, self-care treatments may be implemented to address it.

The type that affects the deep veins is called deep vein thrombophebitis. This is the type that usually targets the blood vessels

located deep inside the legs. When blood clots form in these parts, they could break off and go to the lungs. And when this

happen, a much serious disease, called the pulmonary embolism, occurs.

Causes of Phlebitis

Phlebitis is sometimes caused by a certain medical and surgical procedure. It may also be caused by an injury to the lower

extremities. But often times, it develops primarily due to a person’s lifestyle. Prolonged inactivity, such as sitting still for hours
traveling or overstaying in bed, would cause the blood not to flow properly into the legs. As a result, blood would pool and blood

clot forms. This is the onset of phlebitis.

People who don’t get much exercise are also prone to this disease. Increased blood flow is usually triggered by physical

activities. If a person chooses to be a slouch potato he has the tendency is to be obese. Both obesity and a sedentary lifestyle

could cause phlebitis.

Smoking cigarettes and taking birth control pills or hormone replacement pills can also be the root of phlebitis. People suffering

from cancer and any other blood-related disorders have an increased chance of developing this disease as well. Injury to the

limbs, as well as the presence of varicose veins in the leg area, can also be the culprit. In some women, pregnancy may prompt

phlebitis.

Symptoms of Phlebitis

Deep vein phlebitis has more symptoms than superficial phlebitis. People suffering from superficial phlebitis will observe some

long and thin red lines along their legs, as well as some tender regions near the area. These regions will also seem swollen and

feel a little itchy at times. Some would feel it burning while throbbing.

And if the area is severely infected, the skin will breakout and there is pain associated with that. Fever will also accompany the

swelling and the redness. Patients with mild phlebitis will also observe that the pain gets worse if they lower their leg, like when

they attempt get out of bed during mornings.

Deep vein phlebitis has symptoms similar to superficial phlebitis. But additionally, patients will develop some skin ulcers in the

area where the blood clot had occurred. There will also be noticeable discoloration on that part of the skin. Bacterial infections

are also expected.

Diagnosing Phlebitis

To diagnose this disease, a physical examination has to be conducted. Then blood tests are requested so that type of blood clots is

examined. After that, the doctor would put the patient for an ultrasound examination so that he can pinpoint with precision the

area where the problem originates.

But if the blood clot cannot be detected with the use of an ultrasound, venogram may be performed. This method is capable of

identifying blood clots in the smaller veins that are invisible to an ultrasound. A certain dye or substance is injected into the vein.

And then an x-ray is performed and the dye injected is seen on the image produced.

Treating Phlebitis

Mild superficial phlebitis can be treated at home. Usually, anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin are effective

enough in reducing the pain and swelling associated with the disease. Leg compression stockings may also be worn to improve

blood flow.
For those with deep vein phlebitis, it is necessary to see a doctor. Depending upon the

severity of the case, a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or an anticoagulant. In some

cases, hospitalization is required so that the extent of the disease is properly assessed

and treated.

The Way to Properly Detect Mitral

Regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation is often times called as mitral insufficiency. It is a disorder

wherein the mitral valve of the heart fails to close normally. It usually happens rather

suddenly and a single incident it is enough to cause the blood to flow backwards into

the left side of the heart. And when that happens, the whole body becomes affected.

Other organs will not get the right amount of oxygen. And so in response, the heart will work harder just to compensate. More

often than not, this condition is caused by the failure of the heart’s supporting structures.

Symptoms of Mitral Regurgitation

Patients with mitral regurgitation may experience rapid breathing or shortness of breath prior to the attack. And this condition

may even increase when the person is lying flat on his back. Also, the heart tends to beat a lot faster and intense chest pains are

felt. Coughs are also a good indicator that an episode of mitral regurgitation is developing.

Diagnosing Mitral Regurgitation

To detect this disease, a simple stethoscope test to the heart will disclose a certain murmur, more especially if palpitations are

occurring. And this disease may affect the lungs as well. When a stethoscope is placed against the back to check the condition of

the lungs, crackles are usually heard. This is because of the fluids that might have backed up into it.

And for a more accurate diagnosis, an echocardiogram and a color flow Doppler exam may both be conducted. But simpler tests

like chest x-rays and an ECG may be requested first. However, if these tests prove to be futile, a chest MRI or a CT scan may be

performed subsequently.

Treatment of Mitral Regurgitation

Just like most heart diseases, the symptoms are addressed first to eventually treat the disease. For the milder cases of mitral

regurgitation, antibiotics are prescribed. Antibiotics have to be taken in regular doses especially if endocarditis or some bacterial

infections are detected. Anti-arrhythmics, or more specifically the drugs that are given to regulate the rhythm of the heart, may

also be required.

Vasodilators, or the drugs whose job is to dilate the blood passing though the blood vessels, and Digitalis, the ones used to

strengthen a patient’s heartbeat, are both essential in the entire treatment process. There are still other drugs used, specifically

diuretics and anticoagulants, whose job is to remove excess fluids and thin the blood respectively.

If a more severe case mitral regurgitation is detected, hospitalization is the best treatment for the patient. This is to fully diagnose

the extent of the disease as well properly teach each and every symptom observed.
But if none of these methods are projected to work, there might be no other option but surgery. And if in case the patient’s blood

pressure is hard to maintain, especially in an emergency situation, an intra-aortic balloon pump needs to be used just to make the

blood flow into the aorta, instead of backward to the left atrium.

Mitral regurgitation can be a life-threatening disease. This would also mean that

aside from the disease itself, complications could arise because of it. For one,

patients with this disease are more likely to have heart failure. And aside from that,

pulmonary edema, or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs is very likely to happen.

Blood clotting leading to stroke is also possible.

With all these said, it is then very important that proper medical therapy is solicited

from a specialized heart professional. Get in touch with them immediately the

moment any of the symptoms appear. Doing so will reduce probability of developing the different risks that are associated with

the disease.

The Sneddon Syndrome - A Mysterious Disease

The Sneddon syndrome is a disease the affects both the brain and the heart. This is a rare disorder that targets the blood vessels. It

also causes skin problems as well as neurological abnormalities. This disease can cause reduced blood flow to the brain. Reduced

blood flow is medically referred to as cerebral ischemia and it has become the main complication of this disease. The Snedden

syndrome is discovered in 1965.

The Symptoms of Snedden Syndrome

The patient with Snedden syndrome will experience chronic headaches. They would also feel dizzy from time to time and it is

associated with the sense of being disoriented with his surroundings. Most patients will also develop hypertension. The patient’s

blood pressure will be abnormally high and it can’t be associated to anything the he did or had eaten.

Several heart diseases can also be considered as a symptom of the Sneddon syndrome. And since this disease affects the brain,

patients will also have episodes of stroke, which could range from mild to severe. Doctors usually refer mild strokes to be mini-

strokes. Skin lesions, also known as infarcts, may also develop in some patients. This is because the disease affects the central

nervous system. The overall reduction in the body’s blood flow is the direct reason for these lesions.

And along with skin problems and other overt symptoms, patients will also observe that their mental capacity is reduced and their

memory becomes weak over time. These symptoms are referred to as the neurological effects of this disease. Difficulty in

memorizing and remembering names are the best examples of the disease’s neurological symptoms.

The Causes of Sneddon Syndrome

The exact cause of Sneddon syndrome is yet to be discovered. But there have been theories as to the disease being caused by

immunological, genetic, and environmental factors. It has been observed that a family member who is a carrier of this disease can

possibly pass it on to his offspring. But then again, the disease won’t show in the child unless it is triggered by certain

circumstances.
The Diagnosis for Sneddon Syndrome

To accurately diagnose this disease, doctors request patients to undergo certain tests such as magnetic resonance imaging or MRI.

An MRI is considered to be the most effective diagnosing tool for this disease because it can produce a vivid image of the heart

and the brain. Other tools such as a CT scan and a cerebral arteriography are also used. All of these tests are performed with the

intention of revealing lesions as well as blockages in the patient’s brain.

Skin biopsies may also be performed. This procedure involves the surgical removal of a tissue so that a microscopic study of it

may be conducted. A biopsy of the skin could confirm an arteriopathy. Arteriopathy is a progressive type of an arterial disease.

This is one of the primary characteristics of the Sneddon syndrome.

The Treatment of Sneddon Syndrome

There is yet to be a defined treatment method for this disease. As of this moment, its

treatment depends greatly on the symptoms as observed on the patient. And all the

while, the necessary support systems are also being developed so that the patient

will be able to live his life as normally as possible despite the disease.

The drugs administered to patients are usually anticoagulants, vasodilators, and

immunosuppressive drugs. Anticoagulants are drugs that prevent blood clots and

ensure that the normal flow of blood is facilitated. The common examples of this

drug are warfarin and aspirin. Vasodilators, on the other hand, are drugs that dilate or widen the blood vessels. This effectively

reduces the occurrence of high blood pressure in the patient. An example of this drug is nifedipine. Immunosuppresive drugs are

used to regulate the elevated intensity of antiphospholipid antibodies in the patient’s blood. This condition is very common in

people with Sneddon syndrome.

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