10 Common Heart Conditions – When to Worry, and When to See a Doctor
If you suspect you have a heart condition, you should see a doctor soon – today if you are very unwell, have palpitations that do non stop, have chest pain or shortness of breath.
We will now describe 10 common heart conditions – and when to worry, and when to see a doctor.
1. Atrial Fibrillation (‘AF’ or ‘AFib’): Irregular heartbeat. Worry if you experience palpitations, shortness of breath, or chest pain – especially after exercise.
2. Heart Failure: Weakened heart function. A condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s need. Seek help if you notice swelling in legs, ankles, or feet, or if you experience persistent fatigue.
3. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD): Narrowed arteries. Be concerned if you have chest pain (angina) or discomfort that radiates to your arm (especially left), neck, or jaw.
4. Cardiomyopathies: Conditions that affect the heart muscle’s structure or function, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, or HOCM; thickened heart muscle) and dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart muscle). Worry if you experience fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath during physical activity.
5. Mitral Valve Prolapse: Improperly closing mitral valve. See a doctor if you have palpitations, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
6. Aortic Stenosis: Narrowed aortic valve. Seek medical attention if you collapse, or experience chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath.
7. Pericarditis: Inflamed heart lining. Worry if you have sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or movement.
8. Aortic Aneurysm/Dissection: The aorta, the largest artery in the body (that comes out of the left side of the heart), can bulge (aneurysm) or tear (dissection). This can be life-threatening.
9. Long QT Syndrome: Abnormal heart rhythm. Seek help if you experience fainting, seizures, or palpitations.
10. Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle. Many causes including infectious (such as viruses) or non-infectious. 35% have pericarditis too (myopericarditis). If so may have chest pain, worsens on deep breathing and moving. Can also present with shortness of breath, or fatigue. See a doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Summary
We have described 10 common heart conditions; when to worry, and when to see a doctor. We hope it has been helpful.
