The heart is an important cardiac muscle that beats within the center of the chest. It contains such major blood vessels as the coronary arteries and aorta. The heart also consists of an electrical pathway that determines the heart's exact rhythm. Sometimes the heart may not receive enough blood or the heart's electrical activity is altered, resulting in different heart conditions.
Heart Murmurs
A heart murmur refers to an extra heartbeat. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, heart murmurs are of two types: innocent and abnormal. The institute states that innocent heart murmurs occur mostly in children whose heartbeats are regularly normal. Abnormal murmurs may occur due to infection, heart valve problems or as a part of aging or congenital defects.
Specific symptoms of heart murmurs include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, fainting and sweating (diaphoresis). Heart murmurs also cause blue coloring of the skin (cyanosis) and poor appetite and eating in infants.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute says that innocent murmurs typically don't require treatment. They disappear when its cause is resolved. A cardiologist (heart doctor) needs to evaluate any abnormal murmurs. Simply giving a certain medication may correct the problem. However, a severe murmur may require open heart surgery.
Cor Pulmonale
MedlinePlus says that cor pulmonale refers to right-sided heart failure. The heart is divided into two sides: the left and right side. The left side of the heart pumps blood to the rest of the body while the right side of the heart receives blood from the body. Cor pulmonale is typically a result of high blood pressure (hypertension) in the pulmonary arteries (lung arteries) and right ventricle (lower right chamber of the heart).
Manifestations of cor pulmonale include chest pain, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and swelling of the feet and ankles, according to MedlinePlus. Cor pulmonale can also cause wheezing and cough.
MedlinePlus indicates that supplemental oxygen may be given to cor pulmonale sufferers. Medications such as Bosentan, calcium channel blockers and prostacyclin can help manage cor pulmonale manifestations. Sometimes blood thinner medications can be given. In severe cor pulmonale cases, a heart-lung transplant may be required.
Sick Sinus Syndrome
Sick sinus syndrome is a heart condition in which the sinus node (heart's pacemaker) malfunctions. This is the heart's first stop on the electrical pathway system. Typically, sick sinus syndrome affects people who are older than 70 years of age, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Manifestations of sick sinus syndrome include dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, a slow heartbeat (bradycardia), chest pain and confusion. Sick sinus syndrome also causes a fluttering or pounding heartbeat (palpitations), fainting and trouble sleeping, says the Mayo Clinic.
Sick sinus syndrome may be medication-induced. Simply changing your medication may get rid of this heart condition. The Mayo Clinic says that a pacemaker may be necessary to maintain the heart's normal electrical conduction system and heart rhythm. Anti-arrythmia medications and destroying certain portions of the heart (AV node ablation or radio-frequency ablation of atrial fibrillation) can also help treat sick sinus syndrome.
