Syndromes affecting the heart

Syndromes affecting the heart are a group of medical conditions that impact the structure and function of the heart. These syndromes can be congenital, meaning present at birth, or acquired later in life. They can affect any part of the heart, including the heart valves, the myocardium (heart muscle), the electrical system of the heart, and the coronary arteries.

Congenital Heart Syndromes

Congenital heart syndromes are present at birth and can range from simple conditions that don't cause symptoms to complex disorders that cause severe, life-threatening problems. Examples include:

• Tetralogy of Fallot: This syndrome involves four heart defects that occur together, including a ventricular septal defect (hole between the ventricles), pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the pulmonary valve and artery), right ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the heart muscle), and an overriding aorta.

• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: This is a complex and rare heart defect in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped.

Acquired Heart Syndromes

Acquired heart syndromes develop after birth and can be caused by various factors such as disease, aging, or injury. Examples include:

• Coronary Artery Disease: This syndrome is characterized by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle.

• Cardiomyopathy: This refers to diseases of the heart muscle that make it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.

• Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia: This is a rare type of cardiomyopathy where the muscle of the right ventricle is replaced by fat and fibrosis, causing abnormal heart rhythms.

Treatment

Treatment for syndromes affecting the heart depends on the specific syndrome and its severity. It may include medications, lifestyle changes, and in severe cases, surgery or heart transplantation.

See Also

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular disease
• Congenital heart defect
• Heart failure