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.
When to see a doctor: 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.
When to see a doctor: Seek help if you notice swelling in legs, ankles, or feet, or if you experience persistent fatigue.
3. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD): Narrowed arteries.
When to see a doctor: 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).
When to see a doctor: Worry if you experience fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath during physical activity.
5. Mitral Valve Prolapse: Improperly closing mitral valve.
6. Aortic Stenosis: Narrowed aortic valve.
When to see a doctor: Seek medical attention if you collapse or faint, have low blood pressure, or experience chest pain, or shortness of breath.
7. Pericarditis: Inflamed heart lining.
When to see a doctor: 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.
When to see a doctor: If you have chest pain radiating through into the back, or have very high or low blood pressure.
9. Long QT Syndrome: Abnormal heart rhythm.
When to see a doctor: 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).
When to see a doctor: If so may have chest pain, worsens on deep breathing and moving. Can also present with shortness of breath, or fatigue.
We have described 10 common heart conditions; when to worry, and when to see a doctor. We hope it has been helpful.
