Muscular Dystrophy Muscular Dystrophy (MD) is a group of diseases that make muscles become weak over time. If you have MD, it’s likely that you’ll have problems with your heart at some point in your life. In the same way that MD weakens muscles in your body, it can also weaken your heart and lead …
Myocarditis Myocarditis is when the wall of the heart muscle becomes inflamed, usually due to a viral infection. A severe case can keep your heart from working as it should. Myocarditis has many causes: Viruses: Some of these viruses include common colds, including Influenza or Coronavirus. Bacteria: Some of these infections include “staph infections,” “strep …
Cardiotoxicity Cardiotoxicity is when heart damage is caused by chemicals or medicines, like chemotherapy. When you receive chemotherapy, you are given medicines to kill cancer cells in your body. Sometimes these drugs also hurt the normal cells in and around your heart.
Fontan Failure Fortunately, like with other types of CHD, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons have discovered ways to allow you to survive and thrive throughout childhood with only one ventricle. If you were born with only one ventricle, you likely went through several heart surgeries early in your life and may now have a Fontan circulation. …
Causes As we age, our hearts naturally lose some of their power to pump and fill properly. Some health conditions may cause this to happen sooner than it should. Let’s explore some of the most common causes of heart failure in children and young adults. Congenital Heart Disease Cardiomyopathy Other Causes
Exercise Stress Test To see how much physical activity you can do and to check for arrhythmias during exercise, your doctor may ask you to walk up and down the hall, or exercise on a treadmill or bike.
Cardiac Imaging X-rayCardiac CatheterizationCardiac Catherization Previous Next Chest X-rayChest X-rays can show your doctor if you have any fluid in your lungs that can be caused by heart failure. X-rays can also show changes to the size and shape of your heart. Cardiac CatheterizationYour doctor may ask that you undergo a catheterization (or “cath”). A …
Labs There are several blood tests doctors use to diagnose heart failure. Most patients have labs drawn at scheduled times. You may have labs drawn more often if your team feels that you need closer surveillance. BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide)BNP is a hormone that is released from your heart and blood vessels when they are …
EKG & Holter Monitor The EKG shows the electrical conduction through your heart. Sometimes small changes in the EKG can be a sign that a heart is getting sicker. Once in a while, your doctor will ask you to wear a Holter monitor, which is like a portable EKG that can monitor for arrhythmias happening …
Office Visits VitalsYour vital signs are VITAL. Your heart rate and heart rhythm can tell you a lot about how your heart is working. A persistently fast heart rate can be a sign that the heart is getting sicker. In heart failure, your blood pressure needs to be just right. High blood pressure can be …
