Chest / Cardiovascular
Acute Costochondritis, also called chest wall pain syndrome, causes inflammation between your ribs and breastbone. The condition itself isn’t an emergency—but it feels just like a heart attack. Here’s how to identify the symptoms and when you should go to the emergency room.
See Acute Costochondritis treatmentsA dissection (tear) in the aorta, the large artery that delivers blood throughout your body, causes sudden, intense chest or back pain—and getting diagnosed and treated quickly can be a matter of life or death.
See Aortic Dissection treatmentsArrhythmias are irregularities in the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. They are caused by changes in the electrical signals that make the heart beat normally. Different types of arrhythmias have different treatments—and there are ways to lower your risk of having one in the first place.
See Arrhythmia treatmentsAtrial fibrillation is an irregular, often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood circulation with shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations as symptoms.
See Atrial Fibrillation treatmentsCarotid artery dissection is a separation of the layers of the artery wall that supplies oxygen-bearing blood to the head and commonly causes strokes in young adults.
See Carotid Artery Dissection treatmentsCongestive heart failure (CHF) is a serious condition in which your heart no longer pumps enough blood for your body’s needs. CHF makes it hard to breathe, and interferes with kidney function. Changing your lifestyle and taking medications can help slow the disease.
See Congestive Heart Failure treatmentsA heart attack in a woman is a life-threatening event caused by a disruption in the blood flow to the heart. Women tend to have "silent" attacks and show unusual symptoms.
See Heart Attack treatmentsHypertensive crisis occurs when your blood pressure becomes dangerously high (systolic BP 180/diastolic BP 120 mm Hg), to a level that can damage your organs.
See Hypertensive Crisis treatmentsInfective endocarditis is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection that attacks the lining of the heart and heart valves. People with heart conditions may be more at risk for endocarditis, but it can occur whenever bacteria enters the bloodstream.
See Infective Endocarditis treatmentsLong QT syndrome is an electric heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. Severe symptoms are sudden fainting and seizures.
See Long QT Syndrome treatmentsPectus carinatum is a deformity of the chest in which the front of the chest protrudes forward. It is believed to be caused by factors including abnormal growth.
See Pectus Carinatum treatmentsPeripheral artery disease (PAD) is the narrowing of the small arteries that take blood from your heart to the arm and legs. PAD is typically the result of deposits of calcium and fatty plaques in the arteries. It causes pain and weakness, usually in your legs.
See Peripheral Artery Disease treatmentsSick sinus syndrome is a condition in which the normal pacemaker of the heart is unable to keep the heart beating at a normal rate to deliver blood to the body.
See Sick Sinus Syndrome treatmentsWhen blood stops flowing to the brain because of a clot or rupture (hemorrhage), it’s called a stroke. This is extremely dangerous because blood carries essential oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Learn about the three types of strokes and why you need to get to the ER as fast as possible.
See Stroke treatmentsSudden cardiac arrest is an emergency condition that is described by when the heart suddenly stops beating. Symptoms include a loss of consciousness, lightheadedness or dizziness, or a lack of pulse or breathing. Treatment includes trying to restore the heartbeat via defibrillation.
See Sudden Cardiac Arrest treatmentsA thoracic aortic aneurysm, or TAA, is a bulge in the wall of the aorta. TAA's can lead to a dissection or rupture of the aorta, leading to a life-threatening condition.
See Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm treatmentsValvular Heart Disease is a diagnosis for a problem with any of the four heart valves. Usually the disease affects the valves on the left side of the heart. There is no cure. But certain lifestyle changes and medication can help you live a longer, fuller life. When symptoms become too serious, surgery to repair valves may be necessary.
See Valvular Heart Disease treatmentsVasovagal syncope is sudden fainting caused by a drop in heart rate and blood pressure when your body overreacts to certain emotional or neurologic triggers.
See Vasovagal Syncope treatmentsClogged arteries are from plaque collecting in your arteries. Genetics, conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, and habits like smoking can cause this condition. Clogged arteries can lead to a heart attack or stroke, so it’s important to know the warning signs and get treated ASAP.
See Clogged Arteries treatmentsWolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) is a condition in which the heart beats abnormally fast due to electricity incorrectly traveling between pathways in the heart.
See Wolff-parkinson-white treatmentsYou can dramatically lower your risk of heart disease by staying on top of your risk factors, like being overweight and high cholesterol.
See Heart Disease treatmentsFind out how to monitor and treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm
See Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm treatmentsAortic stenosis occurs when the heart's aortic valve stiffens and narrows. This can disrupt blood flow and cause dizziness or chest pain. There are usually no symptoms at first. Left untreated, aortic valve stenosis can lead to serious heart problems.
See Aortic Stenosis treatmentsAortic valve regurgitation is when the aortic valve fails and allows blood to flow backward through it, putting pressure on the heart and decreasing forward (normal) blood flow.
See Aortic Valve Regurgitation treatmentsMany strokes can be prevented by lowering your risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and diabetes.
See Stroke treatmentsDeep vein thrombosis is a blood clot, usually in your leg. It is a serious condition that causes pain and swelling.
See Deep Vein Thrombosis treatmentsFind out how to diagnose and treat familial hypercholesterolemia
See Familial Hypercholesterolemia treatmentsA heart attack means the blood flow to your heart has been cut off. Know the signs and symptoms, when to seek help, and how heart attacks are treated.
See Heart Attack treatmentsHeart palpitations are sensations in your chest caused by a racing, slow, or erratic heartbeat. They’re often nothing to worry about, but they can also be a sign of serious medical conditions such as heart problems. Here’s how to tell the difference.
See Heart Palpitations treatmentsHigh blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common problem that doesn’t always cause symptoms. Here’s what to know about hypertension risk factors and complications and how it’s treated.
See High Blood Pressure treatmentsHigh cholesterol can create deposits inside your blood vessels that eventually lead to narrowing of your blood vessels. It can also cause blockages, ruptures, and clots, and possibly a heart attack or stroke.
See High Cholesterol treatmentsThere are a lot of lifestyle steps you can take to prevent high blood pressure from developing. And ways to help treat it without using drugs or along with drugs. These include improving your diet, exercising, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol use.
The most common cause of fainting, vasovagal syncope can be avoided by learning and avoiding triggers like dehydration, the sight of blood, and more.
It’s not unusual to feel a little dizzy when you stand up after sitting or lying down. But if it happens frequently, it may be a sign of POTS, a type of low blood pressure.
See Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) treatmentsPremature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra, abnormal heartbeats that begin in the lower chambers of the heart instead of the upper chambers.
See Premature Ventricular Contractions treatmentsPulmonary Hypertension is when there is high blood pressure in the blood vessels in your lungs. It can cause shortness of breath when you’re active and fatigue.
See Pulmonary Hypertension treatmentsRestrictive cardiomyopathy is a type of heart disorder in which the walls of the heart become stiff, preventing it from filling with blood normally.
See Restrictive Cardiomyopathy treatmentsStress-induced cardiomyopathy is a condition that is poorly understood, but mimics symptoms of a heart attack such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, and palpitations.
See Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy treatmentsThe most common type of fainting, vasovagal syncope has a wide variety of causes ranging from coughing and swallowing to strong emotions and pregnancy.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is sometimes called a mini-stroke. It is actually your body warning you that you are at risk for a stroke. Unlike a stroke, it is not long-lasting.
See Transient Ischemic Attack treatmentsVasovagal syncope is the most common cause of fainting, especially during pregnancy. While it’s often caused by normal changes in blood pressure from being pregnant, you should always tell your healthcare provider.