There are many different kinds of heart condition which require specialist treatment. Millions of people live with abnormal heart beats, although in most instances they are harmless. However, some abnormality in the heart’s rhythm can be dangerous and even fatal. There are a number of heart diseases which can also increase the risk of dangerous arrhythmia.
Heart Disease Categories
There are three main heart disease categories that we’re looking at in more depth below:
Electrical
Abnormal heart rhythms occur due to problems in the electrical system regulating the heart’s steady beat. Heart beats can become to slow, too fast or a mixture of the two, with no steady rhythm at all.
- Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is when the heart beat is irregular and too fast due to problems with the signals in the heart’s electrical system. Atrial fibrillation alone isn’t usually life threatening but it can lead to other rhythm problems and some people find themselves fatigued and experience shortness of breath due to the condition.
- Atrial Flutter
Atrial flutter is specific to the atria of the heart. Like atrial fibrillation it is when the heart beat is too fast. It is caused by a single electrical wave circulating too fast in the atrium. The heart beat is steady in this instance but far too fast.
Circulatory
Coronary artery disease and high blood pressure lead to circulatory blood vessel disorders. Both can be fatal and can be highly dangerous if not properly treated.
- Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
When the arteries become clogged due to coronary artery disease the flow of blood to the heart can be reduced or stopped. The lack of oxygen reaching the heart can damage the heart muscle, leading to heart attack. Only emergency treatment can help in this instance and the quicker it is sought; the less damage is done to the heart muscle.
Structural
Structural heart disease such as heart muscle disease and congenital abnormalities of the heart are the two main causes for damage to the muscle or heart valves.
- Heart Valve Conditions
Heart valve problems are often genetic, but they can develop on their own. They affect the heart’s ability to efficiently pump blood from its chambers out into the rest of the body. Treatment usually involves medication, surgery and valve replacement dependent on the severity of the condition.
If you want to make an appointment with Dr Begley to discuss any concerns about heart rhythm abnormalities, you should phone or email his secretary directly. Dr Begley’s private secretary Ruth Littlechild can be contacted on 01223 850 423 or via ruth@drbegleycardiology.co.uk.