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What is Heart Disease?

According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. But what is heart disease? Or more accurately, what are heart diseases?

During February's American Heart Month, let's take a quick step back for a minute and see what happens when our heart is working normally. In the most basic sense, the heart is really just a pump which circulates blood throughout our body. Like any pump, the heart relies on multiple interconnected systems and parts—mechanical valves, electrical circuits, and plumbing—that seamlessly work together with each and every heartbeat.

The heart, however, actually functions like two pumps in one. One pump (left side of the heart) is designed to take oxygen rich blood from the lungs and deliver it our organs (including the heart itself!) via pipes called arteries. The other pump (right side of the heart) accepts oxygen poor blood from veins (also pipes) and pumps this blood through our lungs for oxygen replenishment. Along this “pipeline” and within the heart, there are valves that prevent “back flow” of blood. Finally, the intricate electrical system of the heart ensures that all systems work together with precise synchronization, even when our heart's tempo or heart rate changes. When any parts of the heart break, heart disease results.

Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, swollen legs, palpitations or even passing out are like the “check engine light” in our cars. Like this scary light, these symptoms are serious warnings to seek attention right away. Avoid heartbreak, with immediate and prompt intervention, broken hearts can often be mended. 

Beyond the Bee Gees- "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?"

But how do doctors know what exactly is wrong when hearts break? Can broken hearts be fixed?

Different tests help determine which parts of our hearts may be broken. Ever have an EKG? The Electrocardiogram is a 10-second snapshot of your heart's electrical system. If your EKG reveals "a-fib" or even "v-tach", you might be referred to a clinical electrophysiologist (your cardiologist's electrician backed by an MD degree). How about an Echocardiogram (ECHO)? This real-time ultrasound "movie" focuses in on your heart's mechanical system (valves) and the strength of your pump. If mechanics are off, leaky valves (i.e. mitral regurgitation) or valves that don't open all the way (i.e. aortic stenosis) result. A weakened pump is called cardiomyopathy, and you may be referred to a heart failure team for optimal management. But then what happens if you have a heart attack? All of our organs, including the heart, need a blood supply to function effectively. Blood is carried to our organs via 'pipes' or arteries. If the heart's arteries (coronary arteries) become clogged or blocked, the blood supply to the heart can be diminished or cut off all together and a heart attack results. Interventional cardiologists may 'clean out' and stent the clogged artery, or cardiothoracic surgeons may bypass the blockage with other blood vessels that are free of disease.

So let's make this February your heart maintenance month. Love your valentine and yourself with a commitment to heart health, don't smoke like the Bee Gees did, and may your heart be filled with joy! Before your next cardiology appointment, call Dr. T at (585)727-0235 to ensure you have the support you need every step of the way.

Heartbreak as a cause for Broken Heart Syndrome?

Remember that heartbreaking feeling when your teenage crush went to the prom with the star high school quarterback instead of you? Most of us have been heartbroken at some point in our lives, but did you know that there is a true medical condition called "Broken Heart Syndrome?"

Broken Heart Syndrome, or Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy accounts for about 1-2% of all heart attacks. It most commonly occurs in post-menopausal women after a sudden unexpected physically or emotionally stressful event (loss of a loved one, natural disaster, emergency surgery). Patients can have the sudden onset of chest pain or shortness of breath but unlike most heart attacks, coronary artery blockages are not found. In addition, the pumping function of the heart temporarily diminishes. Thankfully, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is reversible, and within a few weeks the heart returns to normal. While heartbreak can be tough, the good news is that with proper care, your heart can heal and bounce back stronger than ever.

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