e-Clinic

Medical term: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. A stress hormone surge causes the bottom of the heart to balloon outward, temporarily resembling a Japanese octopus trap (a "takotsubo"). What is Broken Heart Syndrome? Broken heart syndrome is a temporary heart condition brought on by extreme emotional or physical stress. It causes sudden, intense chest pain and a temporary disruption in the heart's normal pumping function. The Good News: Unlike a traditional heart attack, broken heart syndrome usually leaves no permanent heart muscle damage and typically reverses itself within a week or two. Symptoms: The Heart Attack Mimic The clinical symptoms of broken heart syndrome are virtually indistinguishable from a standard heart attack. This is why immediate professional diagnosis is vital: Sudden, severe chest pain (Angina). Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Irregular or rapid heartbeat (A...

What is Bradycardia? Bradycardia (brad-e-KAHR-dee-uh) is a clinical term for a heart rate that is significantly slower than normal. For most adults, a normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). If you have bradycardia, your heart typically beats fewer than 60 times a minute . The Athlete Exception: In many healthy young adults and highly trained athletes, a resting heart rate under 60 bpm is a sign of an exceptionally efficient cardiovascular system. It only becomes a medical concern if the slow rate fails to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to your brain and vital organs. Symptoms of Oxygen Starvation When the heart beats too slowly, your body may not receive the oxygen it needs to function properly. This often manifests as: Syncope: Fainting or near-fainting episodes (feeling as though you are about to pass out). Chronic Fatigue: Feeling exhausted even after a full night's sleep ...

Cardiomyopathy changes the heart's shape, making it harder to pump blood. What is Cardiomyopathy? Cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease of the heart muscle (myocardium) that makes it increasingly difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. The Result: Because the heart cannot meet the body's demands, this condition frequently leads to chronic Heart Failure and dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. The 3 Main Types [Image comparing Dilated, Hypertrophic, and Restrictive cardiomyopathy] Type What Happens to the Heart? Who is at Risk? Dilated (Most Common) The left ventricle muscle becomes thin and stretched (like an overblown balloon). The heart becomes enlarged and pumps weakly. Middle-aged adults, often due to coronary artery disease or genetic factors. ...

The aortic valve is the final door the blood passes through before leaving the heart to feed the body. What is Aortic Valve Disease? The aortic valve acts as a critical gateway between the heart's main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) and the body's main artery (the aorta). If this valve fails to open fully or close tightly, your heart is forced to work significantly harder to pump oxygenated blood to the rest of your body. The Consequence: Over time, this constant extra strain weakens the heart muscle, eventually leading to hypertrophy (thickening) and heart failure. The Two Main Problems Aortic valve disease generally manifests as one of two mechanical failures, though some patients may suffer from a combination of both: Type The Mechanical Issue The Physical Result Aortic Stenosis The valve leaf...

In Heart Failure, the muscle becomes either too weak (dilated) or too stiff to pump effectively. What is Congestive Heart Failure? A diagnosis of heart failure does not mean your heart has suddenly stopped beating. It simply means your heart muscle is pumping weaker than normal and cannot keep up with the body's demand for oxygen-rich blood. Think of the heart as a mechanical pump. If the pump weakens, it cannot move blood forward efficiently. This causes blood to "back up" (congest) into the lungs or the rest of the body, leading to severe fluid retention. Symptoms Heart failure symptoms are primarily caused by two mechanisms: fluid backing up into tissues, or not enough oxygen-rich blood reaching your vital organs. 1. Congestion (Fluid Buildup) Lung Congestion: Severe shortness of breath when lying flat (Orthopnea) or waking up suddenly in the middle of the night gasping for air (Paroxysmal Noc...

What is Tachycardia? Tachycardia (tak-ih-KAHR-dee-uh) is the medical term for a resting heart rate that is unusually fast—specifically, over 100 beats per minute (BPM) in adults. Normal vs. Abnormal: It is entirely normal for your heart rate to increase significantly during physical exercise or acute stress as your body demands more oxygen. It is considered abnormal and potentially dangerous if your heart races while you are resting, sitting still, or sleeping. Symptoms When the heart beats too fast, it cannot fill up with enough blood between beats, meaning it cannot pump blood effectively to the rest of the body or the brain. You may experience: Palpitations: An uncomfortable racing, fluttering, pounding, or "flopping" sensation in the chest. Dizziness & Lightheadedness: Caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure and low oxygen reaching the brain. Shortness of Breath: Feeling easily win...

What is Obesity? Obesity is a complex, chronic disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. It is important to understand that obesity is not a character flaw or just a cosmetic concern; it is a serious medical condition that directly increases your risk for other life-limiting diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and severe high blood pressure. The Good News: You do not need to reach an "ideal" weight to see massive medical benefits. Even modest, sustained weight loss (5% to 10% of your total body weight) can significantly improve your metabolic health and reverse weight-related complications. Diagnosis & BMI In a clinical setting, obesity is most commonly diagnosed when your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or higher. Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. BMI Range Clinical Weight Status ...

What is Angina? Angina (an-JIE-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is a specific type of chest pain caused by severely reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It is a symptom of underlying coronary artery disease, rather than a disease itself. Patients typically describe the sensation as an intense squeezing, pressure, heaviness, or tightness in the center of the chest. Angina is relatively common, but it can be notoriously difficult to distinguish from other types of chest discomfort, such as severe indigestion or heartburn. If you experience unexplained chest pain, always seek immediate medical attention rather than trying to diagnose it yourself. Symptoms The pain is frequently described as feeling like a heavy weight has been placed on the chest or a vise is squeezing it. Common symptoms include: Chest pain or discomfort: (Pressure, squeezing, fullness, or an aching sensation). Pain radiating to the arms, neck, ...

What is Kawasaki Disease? Kawasaki disease is a rare childhood illness that causes severe inflammation in the walls of medium-sized arteries throughout the body. Most importantly, this includes the coronary arteries , which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. It is also clinically referred to as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome because it aggressively affects the body's lymph nodes, skin, and the mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose, and throat. While a persistently high fever and peeling skin can be incredibly frightening for parents to witness, the disease is highly treatable. Most children recover completely without any long-term serious problems if they are treated early. Symptoms by Phase Symptoms typically appear in three distinct clinical phases. Phase 1 (Early Signs) High Fever: Often spiking higher than 102.2°F (39°C) and stubbornly lasting more than 5 consecutive days without respon...

What is a Heart Attack? A heart attack (clinically known as a myocardial infarction) occurs when the crucial flow of oxygen-rich blood to a part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. "Time is Muscle": Every single minute that the artery remains blocked, more of the heart tissue permanently dies. Immediate emergency medical treatment is absolutely critical to survival and recovery. ⚠️ MEDICAL EMERGENCY If you or someone else suspects a heart attack, call 911 (or your local emergency services) immediately. Do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital unless there are absolutely no other options. Paramedics can begin life-saving treatments and heart monitoring the moment they arrive in the ambulance. Symptoms Not everyone clutches their chest and collapses to the floor like in the movies. Symptoms can vary wildly, and they often present very differently between men ...