Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

In a normal heart, electrical signals use only one path whilst moving through the heart. This is the atrio-ventricular or A-V node. As the electrical signal moves from the hearts upper chambers (the atria) to the lower chambers (the ventricles), it causes the heart to beat. For the heart to beat properly, the timing of the electrical signal is important.

If there is an extra conduction pathway, the electrical signal may arrive at the ventricles too soon. This condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). It is in a category of electrical abnormalities called “pre-excitation syndromes.”

It is recognized by certain changes on the electrocardiogram, a graphical record of the heart’s electrical activity. The ECG will then show that an extra pathway or shortcut exists from the atria to the ventricles.

Many people with this syndrome have symptoms or episodes of tachycardia (rapid heart rhythm) may also have dizziness, chest palpitations, fainting and, rarely, cardiac arrest. Other people with WPW never have tachycardia or other symptoms. About eight percent of people with symptoms first have them between the ages of eleven and fifty.

People without symptoms usually don’t need treatment. People with episodes of tachycardia can often be treated with medication. But sometimes such treatment doesn’t work. If the treatment doesn’t work they will need to do something else.

The most common procedure used to interrupt the abnormal pathway, is radiofrequency or catheter ablation. In this, a flexible tube called a catheter is guided to the place where the problem exists.

Then that tissue is destroyed with radiofrequency energy, stopping the electrical pathway. Successful ablation ends the need for medication. Whether a person will be treated with medication or with an ablation procedure depends on several factors. These include the severity and frequency of symptoms, risk for future arrhythmias and patient preference.

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Why heart disease?

Heart disease is a term that applies to a large number of medical conditions relating to the heart. These medical conditions relate to the abnormal health conditions that directly affect the heart and all its components. Heart disease is a major health problem within some cultures.
 
One theory for heart disease is the radical changes within our lifestyles. People are often less active and eat diets high in fats. Takeaway food is abundant today and often people will eat it due to the increased availability. Some takeaway outlets are now helping cater to a healthier lifestyle by offering a variety of healthy dishes such as salads. People are becoming more aware of the risk of heart disease and choosing to change their diets.

Exercise is extremely important in order to avoid heart disease. Exercise helps to keep the heart in peak performance. By using a combination of exercise and a balanced diet, the risk of heart disease is greatly decreased.

The term Cardiovascular Disease covers a large number of diseases that directly affect the heart and the blood vessel system. It especially affects the veins and arteries that lead to and from the heart. Research has suggested that women who suffer with cardiovascular disease usually suffer from forms that affect the blood vessels. While men usually suffer from forms that affect the heart muscle itself. Other known or associated causes of cardiovascular disease include diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.

Heart disease and strokes are other common cardiovascular diseases. Two independent risk factors that have a major impact for heart diseases, cardiovascular diseases, are high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

Now day’s heart disease does not have to be a death sentence. There are healthy lifestyle choices that can be made and science has come a long way in the early detection of heart disease.

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What is Tachycardia?

Heart disease is a global problem that affects both rich and poor countries. Tachycardia is one of many medical health conditions that relate to the heart. In a normal adult, the average heart beat is sixty to one hundred beats per minute. A heart beating above one hundred beats per minute is called Tachycardia (the heart is pumping too fast). This condition can occur naturally, such as when you are exercising resulting in the heart rate being accelerated Tachycardia can also cause life threatening and serious heart problems.

There are a variety of ways in which the heart normally increases its tempo. These include exercise, fever or if the person is anxious or excited.

Problems with the heart that can cause tachycardia are varied.

Atrial Fibrillation is an abnormal pattern where the right and left atria (upper heart chambers) are contracting irregularly thus making the heart beat faster. 

Mistral Valve Prolapse is when one of the valves in the heart has a mid deformity, thus causing a fast heart rate.

Ventricullar fibrillation is the most serious type of tachycardia. This is the most serious type of tachycardia.  The heart beats in an irregular rhythm and very fast.  The ventricles contract (squeezing) chaotically, that prevents the heart from pumping.  When this happens, the blood circulation stops. Sometimes the episodes are brief and subside really quickly. The majority of times, ventricular fibrillation require immediate medical treatment to prevent any the brain from being damaged and preventing death.

The main symptom of any type of Tachycardia is a fast heartbeat. Other symptoms requiring medical treatment may include lightheadedness, fainting, nausea, cold sweat, shortness of breath and chest pain.
 
These symptoms can be caused by any type of tachycardia, ranging from mild to severe. Please contact your doctor if you are having any of these other symptoms in addition to the fast heartbeat. 

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What is Peripheral Vascular Disease?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) involves damage to or blockage in the blood vessels distant from your heart, the peripheral arteries and veins. The peripheral arteries and veins carry blood to and from arm and leg muscles plus the organs in and below the stomach area. PVD may also affect the arteries leading to your head. The main forms PVD may take include blood clots, swelling (inflammation), or narrowing and blockage of the blood vessels.

Diseases of the arteries may lead to Arterial Blockage, Aortic aneurysms, Buerger’s Disease and Raynaud’s’s phenomenon.
Disease of the veins may lead to Venous Blood Clots, Pulmonary embolism, Phlebitis or Varicose veins.

Arterial Blockage – similar to the coronary arteries, the peripheral arteries can become blocked by plaque.

What causes arterial blockage? PVD can result from a condition known as atherosclerosis (a waxy substance forms inside of the arteries). This substance is called plaque. It is made of cholesterol, fats, calcium, and a blood-clotting material called fibrin.
When enough plaque builds up on the inside of an artery, the artery becomes clogged, and then blood flow is either slowed or stopped. The slowed blood flow may cause “ischemia,” which means the body’s cells are not getting enough oxygen.

While clogged coronary arteries (arteries supplying the heart with blood) may lead to a heart attack, and clogged carotid arteries (arteries supply the head with blood) may lead to a stroke. Clogged peripheral arteries in the lower part mostly cause pain and cramping in the legs.

The risk factors for atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries are the same as those for atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are believed to lead to the development of plaque.

Patients may feel pain in their calves, thighs, or buttocks, depending on where the blockage is. Usually, the amount of pain felt is a sign of how severe the blockage is.

For any chest pain it is wise to see your doctor.

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What is Pericarditis?

The pericardium is a thin, sac-like covering (a membrane) that surrounds the heart. The outer layer of the pericardium surrounds the roots of the heart’s major blood vessels. Ligaments attach this layer to their spinal column, diaphragm, and other parts of the body. The inner layer of the pericardium is attached to the heart muscle. A coating of fluid separates the two layers of membrane, letting the heart move as it beats, yet still be attached to the body.

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium. When Pericarditis occurs the amount of fluid between the two layers of the pericardium increases. This increased fluid presses on the heart and restricts its pumping action.

What are the symptoms? The main symptom of Pericarditis is a sharp, stabbing pain in the center or the left side of the chest. (In some cases, the pain may be dull.) The pain may spread to the neck or left shoulder and can worsen when you take a deep breath. The pain is usually lessened if you are sitting up or leaning forward and can worsen when you lie down. Other symptoms may include fever, cough, pain when swallowing, trouble breathing or overall feeling of sickness.

Pericarditis occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. In most cases, the cause of Pericarditis is unknown

Pericarditis can occur from:

• A viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.
• A heart attack.
• Cancer that has spread from a nearby tumor.
• Radiation treatment for some types of cancer.
• Injury to the chest, esophagus (food pipe), or heart.
• Use of certain kinds of medicines to suppress your immune system.

Pericarditis can also occur in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, kidney failure, leukemia, HIV, or AIDS.

For any chest pain, it may be wise to consult a doctor.

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What is mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is still amongst the more common heart diseases; although it remains something of a puzzle. Now although MVP affects around two percent of the population, the cause is still unknown and has scientist wanting to know what does cause it. MVP often occurs in people who have no other heart problems, and the condition may be inherited.

The mitral valve is located in the heart between the upper-left chamber (the left atrium) and the lower-left chamber (the left ventricle). The mitral valve consists of two flaps called leaflets.

In normal operation the leaflets open and close in a specific sequence. This allows the blood to flow in one direction, from the atrium to the ventricle. The left ventricle is the heart’s main pumping chamber and pushes oxygen-rich blood into the arteries, which carry the blood throughout the body.

In patients with MVP, one or both of the leaflets are enlarged, and the leaflets’ supporting muscles are too long. Instead of closing evenly, one or both of the leaflets collapse or bulge into the atrium sometimes allowing small amounts of blood to flow back into the atrium. By listening to the heart with a stethoscope, the doctor may hear a “clicking” sound caused by the flapping of the leaflets.

Sometimes, MVP leads to a condition known as mitral regurgitation or mitral insufficiency. This means a large amount of blood is leaking backward through the defective valve. Mitral regurgitation can lead to the thickening or enlargement of the heart wall. This is caused by the extra pumping the heart must do to make up for the backflow of blood. It sometimes causes people to feel tired or short of breath. Mitral regurgitation can usually be treated with medicines, and some people need surgery to repair or replace the defective valve.

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What Is Heart Disease?

The heart is the center of the body’s cardiovascular system. Throughout the body’s blood vessels, the heart pumps blood to all of the body’s cells. The blood carries oxygen, which the cells need. Heart disease is a group of medical problems that occur when the heart and blood vessels aren’t working the way they should.

How Do You Get Heart Disease?

Heart disease is not contagious so it cannot be caught like the common cold or the everyday flu. There are certain things that can increase a person’s chances of getting cardiovascular disease, also known as Heart disease. These are commonly known as risk factors.

Some of these risk factors a person are not able to do anything about, such as getting older or having people in their family who have the same heart problem. Risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, being overweight, and not exercising enough can increase the risk of getting heart disease.

What Are the Signs of Heart Disease?

Many people do not realize they have cardiovascular disease. Often it isn’t known until they have a chest pain, a heart attack, or stroke. These kinds of problems often need immediate attention and the person may need to go to the emergency department of a hospital for an assessment.

If the condition proves not to be an emergency, and a doctor suspects the person could have cardiovascular disease, the doctor can do some tests to find out more about how the heart and blood vessels are working.

These tests include electrocardiograms. This test records the heart’s electrical activity. The person becomes attached to a monitor and the heartbeat is watched on a machine to see if it is normal or not.

Cardiovascular disease is a common problem within society as a whole. With better choices in eating, exercising and decreased stress levels, anyone can have a happier and healthy life.

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What is Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery?

This is a type of heart surgery. It’s sometimes called CABG (”cabbage”). The surgery reroutes, or “bypasses,” blood around clogged arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen to the heart.

The arteries that bring blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries) can become clogged by plaque (a buildup of fat, cholesterol plus other substances). This can then slow or stop blood flow through the heart’s blood vessels, leading to chest pain or a heart attack. Increasing blood flow to the heart muscle can relieve chest pain and also reduce the risk of heart attack.

Surgeons take a segment of a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body, and then make a detour around the blocked part of the coronary artery. An artery may be detached from the chest wall and the open end attached to the coronary artery below the blocked area. Or a piece of a long vein in your leg may be taken. One end is sewn onto the large artery leaving your heart - the aorta. The other end of the vein is attached or “grafted” to the coronary artery below the blocked area.

Either way, blood can then utilize use this new path to flow freely to the heart muscle.

A patient may undergo one, two, three or more bypass grafts, depending on how many coronary arteries are blocked.

Cardiopulmonary bypass with a pump oxygenator (heart-lung machine) is used for most coronary bypass graft operations. This means that besides the surgeon, a team made up of a cardiac anesthesiologist and surgical nurse, a competent perfusionist (blood flow specialist) are required.

What happens after bypass surgery?

After surgery, the patient is moved to a hospital bed in the cardiac surgical intensive care unit. Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring devices continuously monitor the patient for 12 to 24 hours.

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What Is Angina?

Angina is a symptom of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease. This happens when the plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. This build up of plaque is called atherosclerosis. As the plaque builds up, the coronary arteries become narrower and stiff. Blood flow to the heart is then reduced. This decreases the oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood to it. It may feel like pressure or a squeezing pain in your chest. The pain may also occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It can even feel like indigestion.

There are three types of Angina and it is important to know the differences among the different types.

Stable angina is the most common and it happens when the heart is working harder than usual. With stable angina, a regular pattern will occur. After a short time, you will recognize the pattern/s, predicting when an episode can happen. The pain will disappear in a short time after a rest or if you take angina medication. Stable angina is not a heart attack but makes it more likely that you will have a heart attack in the future.

Unstable angina is a very dangerous condition that requires immediate emergency treatment. It is a sign that a heart attack could occur soon! It does not follow a pattern. It can occur without physical exertion and is not relieved by rest or medicine.

Variant angina is rare and usually occurs at rest. The pain can be severe and usually occurs between midnight and early morning. It is relieved by medicine.

Please remember not all chest pain or discomfort is angina. However, all chest pain should be checked by a doctor.

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What is a Myocardial Infarction?

Myocardial infarction (MI) means that part of the heart muscle suddenly loses its blood supply. Without immediate treatment, this can lead to damage to the affected part of the heart. An MI is often called a heart attack or a coronary thrombosis.

The heart pumps blood into arteries (blood vessels) which take the blood to every part of the body. The heart muscle, like all muscles, always needs a good blood supply. The coronary arteries take blood to the heart muscle. The main coronary arteries branch off from the aorta. (The aorta. is the large artery that takes oxygen-rich blood from the heart chambers to the body.) The main coronary arteries divide into smaller branches then take blood to all parts of the heart muscle.

If someone has an MI, a coronary artery, or one of its smaller branches is suddenly blocked. The part of the heart muscle supplied by this artery loses its oxygen and blood supply. This part of the heart muscle is at risk of dying, unless the blockage is quickly undone. The word ‘infarction’ means death of some tissue due to a blocked artery which stops blood from getting past.

If one of the main coronary arteries is blocked, a large part of the heart muscle is affected. If a smaller branch artery is blocked, a smaller amount of heart muscle is affected. In people who survive an MI, the part of the heart muscle that dies (’infarcts’) is replaced by scar tissue over the next few weeks.

A small MI occasionally happens without causing pain (a ’silent MI’). It may be pain-free, or sometimes the pain is mild and you may think it is only heartburn or ‘wind’. Collapse and sudden death may occur with a large or severe MI.

MI’s are easier to diagnose these days due to the increase in technology advances. They may become avoidable through greater education and healthier choices in lifestyle.

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What causes Myocardial Infarction?

The most common cause of a Myocardial Infarction (MI) is a blood clot known as thrombosis. This forms inside a coronary artery, or one of its branches. This blocks the blood flow to a part of the heart.

Blood clots do not usually form in normal arteries. However, a clot may form if there is some atheroma within the lining of the artery. An Atheroma is similar to fatty patches or ‘plaques’ that develop, inside the lining of arteries. Plaques of atheroma may gradually form over a number of years, in one or more places within the coronary arteries. Each plaque has an outer firm shell with a soft inner fatty core.

A ‘crack’ develops in the outer shell of the atheroma plaque. This is called ‘plaque rupture’. This exposes the softer inner core of the plaque to blood. This can then trigger the clotting mechanism in the blood to form a blood clot. Therefore, a build up of atheroma is the base problem that leads to most cases of MI.

However; atheroma may develop in any section of the coronary arteries. ‘Clot busting’ drugs can break up the clot and undo the blockage. If given quickly enough this prevents damage to the heart muscle, or limits the extent of the damage. Aspirin is an example of an anti-clogging medication.

There are a number of other uncommon conditions that can block a coronary artery and cause an MI. For example, inflammation of the coronary arteries (rare); a stab wound to the heart; a blood clot forming elsewhere in the body (for example, in a heart chamber) and traveling to a coronary artery where it gets stuck. Cocaine abuse can cause a coronary artery to go into spasm. There may be complications from heart surgery or some other rare heart problems.

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What causes mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is among the most common heart conditions; however it remains something of a puzzle. Although MVP affects about two percent of the population, the cause is unknown. MVP often occurs in people who have no other heart problems, and the condition may be inherited.

The mitral valve is located in the heart between the upper-left chamber (the left atrium) and the lower-left chamber (the left ventricle). The mitral valve consists of two flaps called leaflets.

In normal operation the leaflets open and close in a specific sequence. This allows the blood to flow in one direction, from the atrium to the ventricle. The left ventricle is the heart’s main pumping chamber and pushes oxygen-rich blood into the arteries, which carry the blood throughout the body.

In patients with MVP, one or both of the leaflets are enlarged, and the leaflets’ supporting muscles are too long. Instead of closing evenly, one or both of the leaflets collapse or bulge into the atrium sometimes allowing small amounts of blood to flow back into the atrium. By listening to the heart with a stethoscope, the doctor may hear a “clicking” sound caused by the flapping of the leaflets.

Sometimes, MVP leads to a condition known as mitral regurgitation or mitral insufficiency. This means a large amount of blood is leaking backward through the defective valve. Mitral regurgitation can lead to the thickening or enlargement of the heart wall. This is caused by the extra pumping the heart must do to make up for the backflow of blood. It sometimes causes people to feel tired or short of breath. Mitral regurgitation can usually be treated with medicines, and some people need surgery to repair or replace the defective valve.

Most of the time, MVP is not a serious condition, even when some patients report palpitations or sharp chest pains. Most patients do not need treatment.

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What Causes Angina?

Angina is caused by reduced blood flow to an area of the heart. This is most often due to Coronary Artery Disease. Sometimes, other types of heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause angina.
 
In CAD, the coronary arteries, that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, are narrowed, due to the buildup of the fatty deposits called plaque. This is known as artherscholorisis. Some plaque becomes hard and stable, leading to narrowed and hardened arteries. Other plaque is soft and likely to break open and cause blood clots.

The buildup of plaque on the inner walls of the arteries can cause angina in two ways. First, by narrowing the artery to the point where the flow of blood is greatly reduced… Second, by forming blood clots which are partially or totally block the artery.
Stable Angina is commonly caused by physical exertion. This leads to the pain and discomfort of stable angina. Severely narrowed arteries may allow enough blood to reach the heart when the demand for oxygen is low, such as when you are laying down. With exercise, like walking up a hill or climbing stairs, the heart works harder and needs more oxygen.

Unstable Angina is caused by blood clots that partially or totally block an artery. If plaque in an artery ruptures or breaks open, blood clots may form. This creates a larger blockage. The clot may grow large enough to completely block the artery and cause a heart attack. Blood clots may form, partly dissolve, and later form again. Chest pain can occur each time a clot blocks an artery.
 
Variant angina is caused by a spasm in a coronary artery. The spasm makes the walls of the artery tighten. This narrows the artery, causing the blood flow to the heart to slow or stop. Variant angina may occur in people with and without CAD.

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