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What is Structural Heart Disease?

Structural Heart Disease – Heart Diagram

Structural heart disease is a defect or abnormality of the heart that is non-coronary, meaning that it does not affect the blood vessels in the heart. Many structural heart conditions are congenital (present at birth), but these abnormalities can also form later in life due to wear and tear from aging, infection, or result from another underlying condition. The three most common congenital heart diseases are bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), atrial septal defect (ASD), patent foramen ovale (PFO), and coarctation or narrowing of the thoracic aorta.

Ashchi Heart & Vascular Center has cardiology experts on staff who specialize in managing congenital conditions as well as diagnosing and treating acquired structural heart conditions. We use the latest technology and techniques to deliver the highest quality, patient-centric care. We also welcome patients seeking second opinions on their treatment options.

What are the Symptoms of Heart Disease?

Symptoms will vary depending on the patient and the severity of the condition. The most common symptoms associated with structural heart conditions include:

  • Transient ischemic attack (TIA) also know as a mini-stroke
  • Migraines
  • Heart palpitations/irregular heartbeats
  • Shortness of breath/Difficulty exercising
  • Stroke
  • Chest pain or tightening
  • High blood pressure
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Leg cramping
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Fatigue

These symptoms may be a sign of a heart condition or of another medical condition. If you experience one or more of the above symptoms, contact your physician for further evaluation.

What are Common Structural Heart Conditions?

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)

BAV is the most common cause of heart disease that presents at birth and affects approximately 1.3% of adults. It leads to faster than normal wear and tear of the aortic valve and is associated with aneurysms of the aorta. It is also may affect up to 50% of the immediate relatives.

Atrial septal defect (ASD)

This is a congenital defect where a hole has formed in the wall of tissue that separates the right and left atria (upper chambers of the heart). ASDs cause oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood, which can result in oxygen-poor blood being delivered to vital organs and to abnormal enlargement of the right atrium. Large ASDs can eventually lead to pulmonary hypertension or heart failure.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO)

Similar to ASDs, a patent foramen ovale also occurs when a hole forms in the septal tissue that separates the upper chambers of the heart. With a PFO, instead of an open hole, there is a flap-like structure that opens when there is pressure in the chest, such as during a cough or a sneeze. PFOs lead to abnormal blood flow and the mingling of oxygen-poor blood with oxygen-rich blood.

Congenital heart disease

Many structural heart defects are conditions that are present at birth. With the evolution of modern medicine, many children born with congenital heart defects live well into adulthood.

Non-Congenital Heart Disease

Non-congenital disease entities such as “leaky valves,” insufficient/regurgitant native and prosthetic valves, or blocked native and prosthetic valves are more common and are still part of structural heart disease specialist work. These disease entities cause many different murmurs or sounds that are detected by listening through the stethoscope or via other imaging modalities such as echocardiograms, transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), or by MRI or CT scan of the heart.

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