Heart Conditions

While the Heart and Vascular Center provides expertise in numerous areas, we excel in the treatment of the following conditions:

Atrial Fibrillation Atrial Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and is present in more than 2 million people in the United States. Individuals with this condition experience fast, irregular focal discharges of the upper chambers of the heart, which lead to fast, irregular heartbeat in the lower chambers. Learn more on A-fib.

Arrhythmia (Heart Rhythms)  Cardiac Arrhythmia refers to a disturbance in the heart’s rhythm. This could mean recurring episodes of rapid heartbeats, combined with lightheadedness and dizziness. In contrast, a patient’s heartbeat could be extremely slow, causing fatigue, which sometimes results from improper medication doses. Although some patients can tolerate cardiac arrhythmia, it can be bothersome or life-threatening for others.

Atherosclerosis Regression  A common cause of many cardiovascular ailments is atherosclerosis. Artherosclerosis is the build-up of plaque in the arteries. Too much build-up can restrict blood flow to organs and tissue. Artherosclerosis can be caused by a number of factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and diabetes. “Arthrosclerosis can be silent for many years and may not present symptoms until build-up in the arteries becomes so severe that it blocks blood supply,” says UTMC doctor, Chris Cooper. “Common warning signs are chest pain, dizziness and swelling or pain in the arms or legs”.

Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular Disease affects your heart and blood vessels. It is the leading cause of death among men and women. Many people have more than one form of cardiovascular disease. These diseases range from high blood pressure and coronary artery disease to heart failure and stroke. However, cardiovascular disease is most often used to describe atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Too much build-up can restrict blood flow to organs and tissue.

Congestive Heart Failure Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart's function (to deliver oxygen rich blood to the body) is inadequate to meet the body's needs. CHF can be caused by diseases that weaken the heart, stiffen the heart muscles, and diseases that increase oxygen demand beyond the capability of the heart to deliver.

Coronary Artery Disease Your coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients. Coronary artery disease occurs when your coronary arteries become damaged or diseased due to a buildup of plaques.

Pulmonary Hypertension Pulmonary Hypertension begins when tiny arteries in your lungs become narrowed, blocked or destroyed. This makes it harder for blood to flow through your lungs. As the pressure builds, your heart must work harder to pump blood through your lungs, eventually causing your heart muscle to weaken and sometimes fail completely.

Syncope and Autonomic Dysfunction (Fainting) Syncope is the abrupt and transient loss of consciousness due to a temporary reduction in cerebral blood flow (to the brain). It is associated with an absence of postural tone and followed by a rapid and usually complete recovery.

Valvular Heart Disease Valvular Heart Disease is any dysfunction or abnormality of one or more of the heart’s four valves that direct blood flow in the appropriate direction.