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Heart Anatomy
The heart is the most important muscular organ in the body. It works around the clock pumping blood to various parts of the body through the network of blood vessels. The normal adult heart weighs between 200- 425 grams (7 to 15 ounces) and is about the size of your fist. Learning about your heart and its functions can help you understand the various conditions that may affect your heart as well to take precautions to prevent them.
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Arrhythmias
Arrhythmia is a disorder characterized by abnormal heartbeat such as beating too fast, too slow or irregularly. During an arrhythmia, as the heart is not able to pump enough blood to the body, it can lead to organ dysfunction or damage. Most arrhythmias are harmless, however, some are more serious and life-threatening.
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Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition characterized by an irregular and rapid heartbeat that hampers blood supply to the body. In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers (atria) and the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart lack coordination, causing a rapid and irregular heart rhythm. People with atrial fibrillation may experience palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue or lack of energy.
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Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) usually occurs when cholesterol and plaque accumulate inside the coronary arteries (blood vessels supplying oxygen-rich blood to heart muscles) and block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles. The plaque can sometimes break off and form a blood clot that can completely block the vessels, leading to permanent heart damage.
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Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic aneurysm is a condition characterized by an abnormal bulging of a section of the large blood vessel called the aorta. The aorta is the major blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the different parts of the body.
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Chest Pain
Chest pain can present as a sharp, stabbing pain or a dull ache accompanied by discomfort in your chest. It is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying heart problem like coronary heart disease. The degree of chest pain depends on the intensity, duration and person.
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Ventricular Arrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that originate in the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. These arrhythmias can disrupt the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, potentially leading to serious complications, including cardiac arrest. An arrhythmia happens when there is an issue with the electrical system of the heart that is supposed to maintain a stable heartbeat. With an impaired electrical system, your heart may beat too slow, too fast, or irregularly.
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Heart Murmur
A heart murmur is a swishing or whooshing sound produced by your heart due to abnormal or turbulent blood flow in or near your heart. It may occur due to a defect in your heart valves or any condition that causes your heart to pump more blood than normal. Your doctor can detect a heart murmur with the help of a stethoscope. It is heard as an extra sound other than the usual ‘lub-dup’ sounds caused due to the closing of heart valves during normal blood circulation.
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Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia, also called V-tach or VT, is a fast, abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that originates in the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart). It is characterized by a heart rate of 100 beats per minute or more and can be life-threatening if sustained or if it deteriorates into ventricular fibrillation, leading to cardiac arrest.
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Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations refer to the unusual sensations that feel like your heart is beating abnormally. They may be felt like an accelerated heartbeat, a flutter or a missed heartbeat. The common sites for experiencing symptoms of heart palpitations are the chest, neck or throat.