Cardiovascular Diseases

Heart failure

Introduction Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs. This does not mean the heart has stopped working, but rather that it...

Dilated cardiomyopathy, DCM

Introduction Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition in which the heart’s main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, becomes enlarged and weakened. This reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood...

Heart attack

Introduction A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. This deprives the heart muscle...

Blood clot in the leg

Introduction A blood clot in the leg, also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg or thigh. DVT can cause pain...

Blood clot in the lung

Introduction A blood clot in the lung, known as a pulmonary embolism (PE), is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It occurs when a blood clot, usually originating from the deep veins...

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Introduction An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge or swelling in the wall of the abdominal aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body. If an AAA grows large or ruptures, it can cause...

High blood fat levels

Introduction High blood fat levels, also known as hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol, refer to elevated levels of fats (lipids) such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Over time, these...

Temporal arteritis – giant cell arteritis

Introduction Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is an inflammatory condition that affects the large and medium-sized arteries, particularly those in the head and neck. The...

Gangrene

Introduction Gangrene is a serious condition that occurs when body tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply or a severe infection. It most commonly affects the extremities, such as the toes, fingers...

Angina

Introduction Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. It is often a symptom of underlying heart disease, particularly...

Claudication (leg angina)

Introduction Claudication, often referred to as “leg angina,” is pain, cramping, or fatigue in the legs that occurs during physical activity and is relieved by rest. It is a common symptom of...

Vasculitis

Introduction Vasculitis is a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels. This inflammation can cause the walls of blood vessels to thicken, weaken, narrow, or scar...

Varicose veins in the legs

Introduction Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that most commonly appear in the legs and feet. They occur when the valves in the veins do not function properly, causing blood to pool and the...

Atherosclerosis

Introduction Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to a buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances—collectively known as plaque—on...

Polycythemia – too many red blood cells

Introduction Polycythemia is a condition in which the body produces too many red blood cells. This increases the thickness of the blood, making it harder for blood to flow and raising the risk of...

Iron deficiency

Introduction Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide and occurs when the body does not have enough iron to produce healthy red blood cells. Iron is essential for carrying...

Anemia

Introduction Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the tissues. This can lead to fatigue, weakness, and a range of other...

Low blood pressure

Introduction Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is lower than normal. While low blood pressure is often harmless and may...

Hemophilia

Introduction Hemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. This leads to prolonged bleeding after injuries, surgery, or even spontaneously, especially...

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Introduction Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when the body does not have enough vitamin B12, an essential nutrient needed for healthy nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. This...

High blood pressure

Introduction High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition in which the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. Over time, untreated high...

POTS – Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

Introduction Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects the autonomic nervous system, causing an abnormal increase in heart rate when moving from lying down to...

Cardiovascular diseases due to genetic changes

Introduction Some cardiovascular diseases are caused by genetic changes, meaning they are inherited or result from mutations in specific genes. These conditions can affect the heart’s structure...

Inflammations and infections in the heart in children

Introduction Inflammations and infections of the heart in children can affect the heart muscle (myocarditis), the lining around the heart (pericarditis), or the inner lining and valves (endocarditis)...

Pericarditis

Introduction Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, protective sac surrounding the heart. This condition can cause sharp chest pain and other symptoms, and while it is often...

Myocarditis

Introduction Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium) that can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood and cause abnormal heart rhythms. The condition can range from mild to...

Lymph nodes

Introduction Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are part of the body’s lymphatic system. They play a crucial role in the immune system by filtering lymph fluid and trapping bacteria...

Swollen lymph nodes

Introduction Swollen lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenopathy, occur when the lymph nodes become enlarged, usually in response to infection, inflammation, or, less commonly, more serious conditions...

Lymphedema

Introduction Lymphedema is a condition characterized by swelling, usually in the arms or legs, caused by a buildup of lymph fluid. This occurs when the lymphatic system, which helps remove waste and...

Chest pain

Introduction Chest pain is a common symptom that can have many different causes, ranging from mild and harmless to serious and life-threatening. It may feel sharp, dull, burning, or tight, and can be...

Palpitations

Introduction Palpitations are sensations of having a rapid, fluttering, pounding, or irregular heartbeat. While palpitations are often harmless and can occur in healthy individuals, they can sometimes...

Changed heartbeats in children – arrhythmia

Introduction Arrhythmia refers to any abnormality in the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat. In children, arrhythmias can range from harmless irregularities to serious conditions that require medical...

Atrial fibrillation

Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) is a common heart rhythm disorder in which the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly and often rapidly. This irregular rhythm can lead...

Heart murmur

Introduction A heart murmur is an unusual sound heard during a heartbeat, often described as a whooshing or swishing noise. Heart murmurs are detected by a doctor using a stethoscope and can be...

Different types of congenital heart defects in children

Introduction Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting the structure and function of a child’s heart. There are many different types, ranging from simple conditions...

Congenital heart defects in children

Introduction Congenital heart defects are structural problems with the heart that are present at birth. These defects can affect the heart’s walls, valves, or blood vessels, and range from simple...

Heart valve diseases

Introduction Heart valve diseases occur when one or more of the heart’s valves do not function properly, affecting the flow of blood through the heart. These conditions can be present at birth...

Congenital long QT syndrome, LQTS

Introduction Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare inherited heart rhythm disorder that affects the electrical activity of the heart. It is characterized by a prolonged QT interval on an...

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, HCM

Introduction Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. HCM can...

Sudden cardiac arrest in athletic children and adolescents

Introduction Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a rare but devastating event in which the heart suddenly stops beating, leading to loss of consciousness and, if not treated immediately, death. While SCA...

Heart Health: Understanding and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Men

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of death among men worldwide. Despite advancements in medical science, millions of men are affected by heart-related conditions every...