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Angina pectoris is thoracic pain caused by a deficiency in blood delivery to the myocardium. This can result from stress induced spasms of the coronary arteries or from increased physical demands on the heart. The heart beats at a very rapid rate resulting in the myocardium not receiving enough blood. The relaxation periods (when the blood is able to flow to the heart tissue) are shortened. Myocardial cells in the heart are weakened by the temporary lack of oxygen but do not die. Prolonged blockage is far more serious because it can lead to a myocardial infarction (heart attack) in which cells do die.

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Angina is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. When the heart isn't getting enough oxygen it causes ischemia. The most common cause of reduced blood flow in coronary artery disease (CAD). Angina can also be caused by atherosclerosis which is when the coronary arteries can be narrowed by fatty deposits (plaques).

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Symptoms of Angina are chest pain descried as, pressure, squeezing, and burning. Some other symptoms include pain in the neck, jaw, shoulder, and back. Dizziness, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, and sweating are also symptoms of Angina.

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Stable Angina is the most common kind, which occurs when you exert yourself and goes away with rest. It develops when your heart works harder when you exercise or climb stairs. This type lasts for a shot amount of time. Stable angina is triggered by physical activity. It can also be triggered by emotional stress, cold temperatures, heavy metals, and smoking which all narrow arteries.

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Unstable angina is the most dangerous kind of angina. It occurs after after rest due to a change in the usual pattern of angina. Unstable angina is unexpected and more severe lasting 30 minutes or longer. It may not disappear with rest or medication. If blood flow doesn't improve the heart is starved of oxygen and a heart attack occurs. Unstable angina occurs when places in a blood vessel rupture or a clot forms quickly reducing blood flow through a narrowed artery, which decreases blood flow to the heart muscle.

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Prinzmetal's angina is rarer and caused by a spasm in the heart’s arteries that temporarily reduces blood flow. It happens when you're resting and is often severe. Prinzmetal's angina may be relieved by medication. It can be caused by a sudden spasm in a coronary artery which temporarily narrows the artery reducing blood flow to the heart. It can also be caused by emotional stress, smoking, medications, and cocaine.

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There are some things that can increase your risk of getting Angina Pectoris:

Tobacco use

Diabetes

High blood pressure

High blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels

Family history or heart disease

Older age

Lack of exercise

Obesity

Stress

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Symptoms of a heart attack include:

Chest pain

Neck and jaw pain

Shortness of breath

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Defects in the intrinsic conduction system can cause irregular hearth rhythms (arrhythmias). This can be caused by uncoordinated atrial and ventricular contractions. Fibrillation is the conduction or rapid and irregular or out of sync contractions. It occurs when controls of the heart rhythm by the SA node is disrupted by rapid activity in other heart regions. Fibrillating ventricles are useless as pumps and unless heart is defibrillated quickly circulation stops and brain death occurs. Defibrillation is accomplished by electrically shocking the heart which interrupts its chaotic twitching by depolarizing the entire myocardium. The SA node should function normally and sinus rhythm will be reestablished. Ectopic focus (abnormal pacemaker) may take over the pacing of the heart rate or the AV node may become the pacemaker. Damage interferes with the ability of the ventricles to receive pacing impulses and may cause heart block. No impulses get through and the ventricles beat at their intrinsic rate which is too low to maintain adequate circulation. Artificial pacemakers are implanted to re-couple the atria to the ventricles.

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Treatments for arrhythmias include:

Medications

Catheter procedures

Implanted devices

Surgery to control or eliminate fast, slow, of irregular heartbeats

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This is a rapid uncoordinated heart rate. I may be temporary but some A fib episodes may not stop unless treated. A fib is linked to strokes.

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Atrial flutter is similar to A fib but the heart beats are more organized. It is also linked to strokes.

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Includes arrhythmias that start above the lower heart chambers. It causes episodes of a pounding heartbeat (palpitations) that begin and end abruptly.

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Ventricular fibrillation is rapid and chaotic electrical signals that cause the ventricles to quiver instead of contracting in a coordinated way that pumps blood to the rest of the body. This can lead to death if normal rhythm isn't restored in minutes. Most people have an underlying heart disease or have experienced trauma.

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Ventricular tachycardia starts with faulty electrical signals in the ventricles. It doesn’t allow ventricles to properly fill with blood, so the heart can't pump enough blood to the body.

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Bradycardia is a slow heart rate. The sinus node is responsible to for setting the pace of the heart. If it doesn't work the heart rate may alternate between too slow and too fast. It can be caused by scarring near the sinus node thats slowing disrupting or blocking the travel of impulses.

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A block of the heart’s electrical pathways can cause the signals that trigger the heartbeats to slow down or stop. It may cause no signs or symptoms and others may cause skipped beats or bradycardia.

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Premature heartbeats are extra beats that occur one at a time. They come from the top chamber of the heart (premature atrial contractions) or the bottom chamber (premature ventricular contractions). It may feel like your heart skipped a beat. Premature heartbeats may be caused by stress, strenuous exercise, or stimulants (caffeine & nicotine).

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Symptoms of arrhythmias include

Fluttering in the chest

Racing or slow heartbeat

Chest pain

Shortness of breath

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The causes of arryhthmias are

Current heart attack or scarring from a previous one

Blocked arteries in the heart (CAD)

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Overactive thyroid gland

Smoking

Too much alcohol or caffeine

Drug abuse

Stress & anxiety

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Begins during childhood but inactivity, smoking, and stress accelerate atherosclerosis. The heart is forced to pump against increased resistance, it mus work harder, and the myocardium enlarges. The heart weakens and its walls become flabby.
Hypertensive heart disease and coronary artery occlusion increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Changes in blood vessel walls promote atherosclerosis. Consuming less fat, sugar, and salt reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. Patching thickenings called atheromas form that make the walls of our arteries thickened and stiffer causing hypertension. Atheromas can intrude into the vessel lumen leading to arterial spasms and blood clots that close the vessel completely. Atherosclerosis occurs in stages:

The endothelium is inured

Lipids accumulate and oxidize in the tunica intima

Smooth muscle cells proliferate and a fibrous cap forms

The plaque becomes unstable

Plaques constrict the vessel and cause the arterial walls to fray and  ulcerate which encourages thrombus (clot) formation

Plaque formation increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Atherosclerosis of the aorta can cause aneurysms (ballooning of the arterial wall) that may burst.

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Risk factors of atherosclerosis include:

Old age

Being male

Family history

High blood cholesterol

Hypertension

Smoking

Lack of exercise

Diabetes

Obesity

Stress

Intake of trans fats

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Avoid smoking, losing weight etc. Cholesterol lowering anti-inflammatory statins can decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke. Coronary bypass surgery where veins or small arteries are moved from other parts of the body are implanted in the heart to restore its circulation. Balloon angioplasty where a balloon is passed through vessels to the obstruction and then inflated to compress the fatty mass against the vessel wall. Stents are placed to keep the heart open. When atheroma ruptures and induces clot formation, thrombolytic (clot dissolving) agents help. tPA restores blood flow quickly and puts an early end to many heart attacks and strokes.

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Causes of atherosclerosis include:

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

High triglycerides in your blood

Smoking

Insulin resistance

Inflammation from unknown cause or form of disease

Once wall is damaged blood cells and other substances clump at the injury site build up the inner wall of the artery

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Complications depend on which arteries are blocked. Complications include:

Coronary artery disease

Carotid artery disease

Peripheral artery disease

Aneurysms

Chronic kidney disease

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Coronary artery disease develops when the major blood vessels that supply the heart become damaged or diseased.
Cholesterol-containing deposits (plaques) in the coronary arteries and inflammation are to blame. The coronary arteries supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart. A buildup of plaque can narrow these arteries decreasing blood flow to the heart. the reduced blood flow may cause angina, shortness of breath, or other signs and symptoms. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.

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When the coronary arteries narrow they cant supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart especially when its beating hard. At first the decreased blood flow may not cause symptoms. As plaque continues to build up in the arteries you may develops the following symptoms:

Chest pain (angina)

Shortness of breath

Heart attack

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Coronary artery disease begins with damage to the inner layer of a coronary artery. Damage may be caused by:

Smoking

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Diabetes or insulin resistance

Not being active

Once the inner wall of an artery is damaged, fatty deposits (plaque) made of cholesterol and other cellular waste products collect at the site of injury (atherosclerosis). If the plaque surface breaks or ruptures, blood cells called platelets clump together at the site to try to repair the artery. This clump can block the artery, leading to a heart attack.

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Risk factors for coronary artery disease include:

Age (risk increases with age)

Sex (men are at greater risk)

Family history

Smoking

High blood pressure

High blood cholesterol levels

Diabetes

Overweight or obesity

Physical inactivity

High stress

Unhealthy diet

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Coronary artery disease can lead to:

Chest pain (angina)

Heart attack

Heart failure

Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)

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To decrease the risk of coronary artery disease:

Quit smoking

Control conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes

Stay physically active

Eat a low-fat, low-salt diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains

Maintain a healthy weight

Reduce and manage stress

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Diagnostic tests:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)- Records electrical signals as they travel through the heart. An ECG can reveal evidence of a previous heart attack or one that's in progress.
Echocardiogram- Uses sound waves to produce images of the heart. During an echocardiogram the doctor can determine whether all parts of the heart are contributing normally to your heart's pumping activity. Parts that move weakly may have been damaged during a heart attack or be receiving too little oxygen.
Exercise stress test- If signs and symptoms occur most often during exercise your doctor may ask you to walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike during an ECG. Sometimes and echocardiogram is also done whole you do these exercises. In some cases medication to stimulate your heart may be used instead of exercise.
Cardiac catheterization and angiogram- During cardiac catheterization a doctor inserts a catheter into an artery or vein in your groin, neck or arm and up to the heart. If you have a blockage that requires treatment a balloon can be pushed through the catheter and inflated to improve the blood flow in your coronary arteries. A mesh tube (stent) is typically used to keep the dilated artery open.
Nuclear stress test- This test is similar to an exercise stress test but adds images to the ECG recordings. It measures blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and during stress. A tracer is injected into your bloodstream, and special cameras can detect areas in the heart that receive less blood flow.
Cardiac CT scan- A CT scan of the heart can help the doctor see calcium deposits in the arteries that can narrow them.

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Lifestyle changes

Quit smoking

Eat healthy foods

Exercise regularly

Lose excess weight

Reduce stress

Drugs

Cholesterol-modifying medications

Aspirin

Beta blockers

Calcium channel blockers

Ranolazine

Nitrogylcerin

Angiotensin- converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

Procedures

Angioplasty and stent placement

Coronary bypass surgery

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The long-term force of the blood against the artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and the amount of resistance to the blood flow in the arteries. The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure. A blood pressure reading has two numbers: top number (systolic pressure) is the first or upper number that measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic pressure) is the second or lower number measures the pressure in the arteries between beats. The blood viscosity is low meaning blood pressure is also lower than usual. Acute hypotension is an important warning of circulatory shock, a condition where the blood vessels are inadequately filled with blood and cannot circulate normally.

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Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness or breath or nosebleeds, but these symptoms aren't specific and usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reaches severe of life-threatening stage.

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Primary hypertension
For most adults there is not identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This type tends to develop gradually over many years.
Secondary hypertension
Some people have high blood pressure caused by an underlying condition. This type or high blood pressure, tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than does primary hypertension. Various conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension, including:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Kidney disease

Adrenal gland tumors

Thyroid problems

Certain defects you're born with (congenital) in blood vessels

Certain medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs

Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines

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High blood pressure risk factors include:

Age (risk increases with age)

Race (common among people of African heritage)

Family history

Being overweight or obese

Not being physically active

Using tobacco

Too much salt in your diet

Too little potassium in your diet

Drinking too much alcohol

Stress

Certain chronic conditions

Pregnancy

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Excessive pressure on the artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels as well as the organs. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled the greater the damage. Complications include:

Heart attack or stroke

Aneurysm

Heart failure

Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys

Metabolic syndrome

Trouble with memory or understanding

Dementia

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Measuring blood pressure that falls into several categories:

Normal blood pressure- below 120/80 mm Hg

Elevated blood pressure- systolic from 120-129 and diastolic below 80 mm Hg

Stage 1 hypertension- systolic from 130-140 and diastolic 80-89 mm Hg

Stage 2 hypertension- systolic from 140 or higher and diastolic 90 mm Hg or higher

Hypertensive crisis- blood pressure measurement higher than 180/120 mm Hg

Tests

Ambulatory monitoring

Lab tests

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Echocardiogram

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Lifestyle

Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt

Getting regular physical activity

Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you're overweight or obese

Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink

Medications

Diuretics

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

Calcium channel blockers

Alpha blockers

Alpha-beta blockers

Beta blockers

Aldosterone antagonists

Renin inhibitors

Vasodilators

Central-acting agents

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Elderly people may experience temporary low blood pressure and dizziness when they rise suddenly from a reclining or sitting position. Because an aging sympathetic nervous system reacts more slowly to postural changes blood pools briefly in the lower limbs reducing blood pressure and blood delivery to the brain. Making postural changes more slowly to give the nervous system time to make the necessary adjustments usually prevents this problem.

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Varicose veins are common in people who stand for long periods of time and in obese or pregnant individuals. The "potbelly" of an overweight person and the enlarged uterus of a pregnant woman exert downward pressure on the vessels of the groin restricting return of blood to the heart. The common factors are pooling of blood in the feet in legs and inefficient venous return resulting from inactivity or pressure on the veins. The over worked valves give way and the veins become twisted and dilated.

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Varicose veins might not cause pain. Signs of varicose veins are:

Veins that are dark purple or blue

Veins that appear twisted and bulging, often appearing like cords on the legs

When painful signs and symptoms of varicose veins occur they may include:

An achy or heavy feeling in the legs

Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in the lower legs

Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time

Itching around one or more of the veins

Changes in skin color around a varicose vein

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Weak or damaged valves can lead to varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, and veins return blood from the rest of the body to the heart. The return blood to the heart the veins in the legs must work against gravity. Muscle contractions in the lover legs act as pumps, and elastic vein walls help blood return to the heart. Valves in the veins open as the blood flows toward the heart then close to keep blood from flowing backward. If these valves are weak or damaged, blood can flow backward and pool in the veins causing the veins to stretch or twist.

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The following can increase the risk of developing varicose veins:

Age (risk increases with age)

Sex (more likely in women)

Pregnancy

Family history

Obesity

Standing or sitting for long periods of time

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Complications of varicose veins can include:

Ulcers

Blood clots

Bleeding

A serious complication of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis, inflammations of a vein that results when a clot forms is a vessel with poor circulation. Because all venous blood must pass through the pulmonary circulation before traveling through the body tissues again, a common consequence of thrombophelbitis is clot detachment and pulmonary embolism which is a life threatening condition.

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Improving blood flow and muscle tone might reduce the risk of developing varicose veins. Things that reduce the odds of developing varicose veins:

Avoiding high heels and tight hosiery

Changing your sitting or standing position regularly

Eating a high-fiber, low-salt diet

Exercising

Raising your legs when sitting or lying down

Watching your weight

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A doctor might recommend a test called a venous Doppler ultrasound of the leg. A Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to look at blood flow through the valves in the veins. A leg ultrasound can help detect a blood clot. A health care provider moves a small hand-held device (transducer), which is the size of a bar of soap, against the skin over the body area being examined. The transducer transmits images of the veins in the legs to a monitor, which displays the results.

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Treatment my include self-care measures, compression stockings, and surgeries or procedures.
Self care:
Exercise, raising the legs when sitting or lying down, or wearing compression stockings can help ease the pain or varicose veins and might prevent them from getting worse.
Surgeries or other procedures:

Sclerotherapy

Laser treatment

Catheter-based procedures using radio frequency or laser energy

High ligation and vein stripping

Ambulatory phlebectomy

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The pumping action of the healthy heart maintains a balance between cardiac output and venous return. Congestive heart failure occurs when the pumping ability of the heart cannot provide adequate circulation to meet body needs. Congestive heart failure is a progressive condition that reflects weakening of the heart by coronary athersclerosis (clogging of the coronary vessels with fatty buildup), persistent high blood pressure, or multiple myocardial infractions (leading to repair with non-contracting scar tissue). Because the heart is a double pump each side can fail independently to each other.

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Heart failure can be ongoing (chronic) or it may start suddenly (acute). Heart failure symptoms include:

Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down

Fatigue and weakness

Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Reduced ability to exercise

Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus

Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)

Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup

Nausea and lack of appetite

Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness

Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack

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Heat failure develops after other conditions have damaged or weakened the heart. Heart failure can also occur if the heart becomes too stiff. The ventricles may become stiff and not fill properly between beats. The ventricles may stretch to the point that the heart cant pump enough blood through the body. overtime the heart can no longer keep up with the typical demands placed on it to pump blood to the rest of the body. Any of the following conditions can damage or weaken the heart and can cause heart failure.

Coronary artery disease and heart attack

High blood pressure

Faulty heart valves

Damage the the heart muscle

Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)

A heart problem that you're born with (congenital heart defect)

Abnormal heart rhythms (arrythmias)

Causes of acute heart failure

Allergic reactions

Any illness that affects the whole body

Blood clots in the lungs

Severe infections

Use of certain medications

Viruses that attack the heart muscle

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Risk factors of heart failure include:

Coronary artery disease

Heart attack

Heart valve disease

High blood pressure

Irregular heartbeats

Congenital heart disease

Diabetes

Medications

Alcohol use

Sleep apnea

Smoking or using tobacco

Obesity

Viruses

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Possible complications can include:

Kidney damage or failure

Heart valve problems

Heart rhythm problems

Liver damage

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You can control or eliminate many of the risk factors for heart disease by making healthy lifestyle changes and by taking the medications prescribed by a doctor. Lifestyle changes that may prevent heart failure include:

Not smoking

Controlling certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes

Staying physically active

Eating healthy foods

Maintaining a healthy weight

Reducing and managing stress

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A doctor can listen to your lungs for a sign of buildup and your heart for whooshing sounds that may suggest heart failure. A doctor my order some tests:

Blood tests

Chest x-ray

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Echocardiogragm

Stress test

Cardiac computerized tomography can

Magnetic resource imaging (MRI)

Coronary angiogram

Mycocardial biopsy

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Doctors can sometimes correct heart failure be treating an underlying cause. Repairing a heart valve or controlling a fast heart beat may reverse heart failure. For most people treatment of hear failure involves a balances of the right medications and sometimes the use of devices that help the heart beat and contract properly.
Medications:

Angiotensin- converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Angiotensin II receptor blockers

Beta blockers

Diuretics

Aldosterone antagonists

Positive inotropes

Digoxin

Hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate

Vericiguat

Surgery:

Coronary bypass surgery

Heart valve repair or replacement

implantable cardioverter- defibrillators

Cardiac resynchronization therapy

Ventricular assist devices

Heart transplant

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Edema is an increase in the amount of interstitial fluid. Either an increase in outward pressure (driving fluid out of the capillaries) or a decrease in inward pressure could be the cause. It causes swelling that is caused by excess fluid trapped in your body's tissues. Edema can occur anywhere in the body but is most easily visible in the skin. Excess interstitial fluid in the subcutaneous tissues generally causes pitting edema. Gravity determines where edematous fluid accumulates, so involvement of the legs and feet is common. Edema can impair tissue function because excess fluid in the interstitial space increases the distance nutrients and oxygen must diffuse between the blood and the cells. Usually edema develops slowly and so the fluid losses from the blood are compensated for by renal mechanisms that maintain blood volume and pressure.

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Signs of Edema include:

Swelling or puffiness of the tissue directly under your skin, especially in your legs or arms

Stretched or shiny skin

Skin that retains a dimple (pits), after being pressed for several seconds

Increased abdominal size

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Tiny blood vessels in you body (capillaries) leak fluid, and this fluid builds up in surrounding tissues leading to swelling. Mild cases of edema may result from:

Sitting or staying in one position for too long

Eating too much salty food

Having premenstrual signs and symptoms

Being pregnant

Edema can also be a side effect of some medications:

High blood pressure medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Steroid drugs

Estrogens

Certain diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones

Several diseases and conditions may cause edema:

Congestive heart failure

Cirrhosis

Kidney disease

Kidney damage

Weakness or damage to the veins in your legs

Inadequate lymphatic system

Severe long-term protein deficiency

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Risk factors of Edema include:

Pregnancy

High blood pressure medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Steroid drugs

Estrogens

Certain diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones

Heart failure

Kidney disease

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Edema can cause:

Increasingly painful swelling

Difficulty walking

Stiffness

Stretched skin, which can become itchy and uncomfortable

Increased risk of infection in the swollen area

Scarring between layers of tissue

Decreased blood circulation

Decreased elasticity of arteries, veins, joints and muscles

Increased risk of skin ulcers

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X-rays

Ultrasound exams

Magnetic resonance imaging

Blood tests

Urine analysis

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Diuretics

Furosemide (Lasix)

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Pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium) roughens the serous membrane surfaces. As the beating heart rubs against its pericardial sac, it creates a sound (pericardial friction rub) that can be heard with a stethoscope. Pericarditis is characterized by pain deep to the sternum. Over time it may lead to adhesion in which the visceral and parietal pericardia stick together and impede heart activity. In severe cases large amounts inflammatory fluid seep into the pericardial cavity. The excess fluid compresses the heat and limits its ability to pump blood (cardiac tamponade). Physicians treat cardiac tamponade by inserting a syringe into the pericardial cavity and draining off the excess fluid. Endocarditis is the inflammation of the endocardium usually confined to the endocardium of the heart valves. Endocarditis often results from infection by bacteria that has entered the bloodstream but may result from fungal infections or an autoimmune response. Myocarditis is inflammations of the cardiac muscle layer (myocardium) of the heart that sometimes follows an untreated streptococcal infection in children. It may weaken the heart and impair its ability to pump efficiently.

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Pericarditis:

Pain behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest

Pain spreads to the left shoulder and neck

Pain worsens when coughing, lying down, or taking a deep breath

Pain gets better when sitting up or leaning forward

Cough

Fatigue or general feeling of weakness or being sick

Leg swelling

Low-grade fever

Pounding or racing heartbeat (heart palpitations)

Shortness of breath when lying down

Swelling of the belly (abdomen)

Endocarditis:

Aching joints and muscles

Chest pain when breathing

Fatigue

Flu-like symptoms, such as fever and chills

Night sweats

Shortness of breath

Swelling in your feet, legs or abdomen

A new or changed heart murmur, which is the heart sound made by blood rushing through your heart

Myocarditis:

Chest pain

Rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)

Shortness of breath, at rest or during activity

Fluid buildup with swelling of the legs, ankles and feet

Fatigue

Signs of viral infection- headache, body aches, joint pain, fever, a sore throat or diarrhea

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Pericarditis:

Immune system response after heart damage due to a heart attack or heart surgery

Infection (Covid-19)

Inflammatory disorders (lupus and rheumatoid arthritis)

Injury to the heart or chest

Chronic health conditions (kidney failure and cancer)

Endocarditis:
Occurs when germs or bacteria enter the bloodstream, travel to your heart, and attach to abnormal heart valves or damaged heart tissue. Bacteria that live in the mouth, throat of other parts of the body, such as the skin or gut, can sometimes can cause endocarditis. Bacteria, fungi and other germs that cause endocarditis might enter the bloodstream through:

Improper dental care

Catheters

Illegal IV drug use

Myocarditis:

Viruses

Bacteria

Parasites

Fungi

Medications or illegal drugs

Chemicals or radiation

Other diseases

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Pericarditis:

Fluid buildup around the heart (pericardial effusion)

Thickening and scarring of the heart lining (Constrictive pericarditis)

Pressure on the heart due to fluid buildup (cardiac tamponade)

Endocarditis:
Clumps made of germs and cell pieces called vegetations, can break loose and travel to your brain, lungs, abdominal organs, kidneys, arms, or legs.

Heart problems, such as heart murmur, heart valve damage and heart failure

Stroke

Pockets of collected pus (abscesses) that develop in the heart, brain, lungs and other organs

Blood clot in a lung artery (pulmonary embolism)

Kidney damage

Enlarged spleen

Myocarditis:

Heart failure

Heart attack or stroke

Rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrythmias)

Sudden cardiac death

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Endocarditis:

Old age

Artificial heart valves

Damaged heart valves

Congenital heart defects

Implanted heart device

A history of endocarditis

A history of illegal IV drug use

Poor dental health

Long-tern catheter use

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Pericarditis:

Electrocardiogram-  Quick and painless test that records the electrical signals of the heart. Sticky patches (electrodes) with wires attached connect to a monitor. They record electrical signals that make the heart beat.

Chest x-ray- Shows changes in size and shape of the heart. It can help detect a enlarged heart.

Echocardiogram- Sound waves (ultrasound) create images of the moving heart. An echocardiogram can show how well the heart is pumping blood and if there is fluid buildup in the tissue surrounding the heart.

Cardiac computerized tomography scan- Cardiac CT scans use X-rays to create images of the heart and chest. The test can be used to look for heart thickening that may be a sign of constrictive pericarditis.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging- Cardiac MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the heart. A cardiac MRI scan can reveal thickening, inflammation or other changes in the thin tissue surrounding the heart.

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Endocarditis:

Blood culture test- Identifies germs in the bloodstream.

Complete blod count- Tells doctors if you have a lot of white blood cells. This can also help diagnose low levels of healthy red blood cells (anemia)

Echocardiogram- Sound waves (ultrasound) create images of the moving heart. An echocardiogram can show how well the heart is pumping blood and if there is fluid buildup in the tissue surrounding the heart.

Electrocardiogram- Quick and painless test that records the electrical signals of the heart. Sticky patches (electrodes) with wires attached connect to a monitor. They record electrical signals that make the heart beat.

Chest x-ray- Shows changes in size and shape of the heart. It can help detect an enlarged heart.

Computerized tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging-
Cardiac CT scans use X-rays to create images of the heart and chest. The test can be used to look for heart thickening that may be a sign of constrictive pericarditis. Cardiac MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the heart. A cardiac MRI scan can reveal thickening, inflammation or other changes in the thin tissue surrounding the heart.

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Myocarditis:

Electrocardiogram- Quick and painless test that records the electrical signals of the heart. Sticky patches (electrodes) with wires attached connect to a monitor. They record electrical signals that make the heart beat.

Chest X-ray- Shows changes in size and shape of the heart. It can help detect an enlarged heart.

Heart MRI- Cardiac MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the heart. A cardiac MRI scan can reveal thickening, inflammation or other changes in the thin tissue surrounding the heart.

Echocardiogram- Sound waves (ultrasound) create images of the moving heart. An echocardiogram can show how well the heart is pumping blood and if there is fluid buildup in the tissue surrounding the heart.

Blood tests- The levels of certain proteins (enzymes) that signal the heart muscle damage are checked. Other blood tests can be done to see if you have antibodies against viruses and other organisms that might cause a myocarditis related infection.

Cardiac catheterization and heart muscle biopsy- A catheter is inserted into a vein in the leg or neck and threaded into the heart. A special instrument is uses to remove a tiny sample of the heart muscle tissue (biopsy) for analysis to check for infection or inflammation.

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Pericarditis:

Medications

Pain relievers

Colchicine

Corticosteroids

Surgeries

Pericardiocentsis

Removal or the pericardium

Endocarditis

Medication

High doses of IV antibiotics

Antifungal medication

Surgery

Heart valve surgery (repair or replacement)

Myocarditis:

Medications

Corticosteroids

Heart medications

Medications to treat chronic conditions

Surgery

IV medication

Ventricular assist devices

Intra-aortic balloon pump

Extracorporasl membrane oxygenation

Heart transplant

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Electrocardiogram- Each beat of the heart is triggered by an electrical impulse generated from special cells in the heart. This test records these electrical signals as they travel through the heart. A doctor can look for patterns among these heartbeats to see if the blood flow through the heart has been slowed or interrupted or if you're having a heart attack.

Stress test- Exercise by walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike. Your blood pressure and ECG reading are monitored as you exercise.

Echocardiogram- uses sound waves to produce images of the heart. The doctor can use these images to identify angina-related problems, like heart muscle damage due to poor blood flow. An echocardiogram can be given during a stress test, which can show if there are areas of your heart that are not getting enough blood.

Nuclear stress test- helps measure blood flow to your heart muscle at rest and during stress. It is similar to a routine stress test, but a radioactive substance is injected into your bloodstream. the substance mixes with the blood and travels to the heart. A special scanner that detects the radioactive material in your heart, shows how the substance moves with the blood in your heart muscle.

Chest x-ray- Takes images of the heart and lungs.

Blood tests- Certain heart enzymes slowly leak out into your blood if your heart has been damaged by a heart attack.

Coronary angiography- Uses x-ray imaging to examine the inside of your heart's blood vessels. A type of dye that is visible b x-ray machine is injected into the blood vessels of your heart.

Cardiac computerized tomography scan- An x-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and collects images of the heart and chest, which can show if any of your heart's arteries are narrowed or if your heart enlarged.

Cardiac MRI- Tube-like machine produces detailed images of your heart's structure and its blood vessels.

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Medications

Nitrates

Aspirin

Clot-preventing drugs

Beta blockers

Statins

Calcium channel blockers

Blood pressure-lowering medications

Ranolazine

Surgery

Angioplasty and stenting

Coronary artery bypass surgery

External counterpulsation

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Electrocardiogram- Sensors (electrodes) that can detect the electrical activity of the heart are attached to the chest and sometimes to the arms or legs. An ECG measures the timing and duration of each electrical phase in the heartbeat.

Holter monitor- ECG device can be worn for a day or more to record the heart's activity.

Event recorder- Wearable ECG device used to detect sporadic arrhythmias.

Echocardiogram- Noninvasive test, a hand held (transducer) placed on the chest uses sound waves to produce images of the heart's size, structure, and motion.

Implantable loop recorder- event recorder may be implanted under the skin in the chest area to continually record the heart's electrical activity and detect irregular heart rhythms.

Stress test- The heart's activity is monitored while you ride on a stationary bicycle or walk on a treadmill.

Tilt table test- The heart rate and blood pressure is monitored a you lay flat on a table. The table is lifted as if you were standing up, and the doctor observes how your heart and nervous system responds to the change.

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Medications

Drugs to restore heart rate to normal rhythm

Blood thinners

Therapies

Vagal maneuvers

Cardioversion

Surgery

Catheter ablation

Pacemaker

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Maze procedure

Coronary bypass surgery

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Blood tests- Check blood sugar and cholesterol levels. High levels of blood sugar and cholesterol levels raise your risk of atherosclerosis.

Electrocardiogram- Records the electrical signals in your heart.

Exercise stress test- Walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike while you're connected to an ECG. Exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster than it does during most daily activities.

Echocardiogram- Uses sound waves to show how well blood moves when the heart beats and through your arteries.

Doppler ultrasound- Doctor may use a Doppler ultrasound to measure your blood pressure at various points along your arm or leg. These measurements can help your doctor determine the degree of any blockages, as well as the speed of blood flow in your arteries.

Ankle-brachial index- The doctor compares the blood pressure in your ankle with the blood pressure in your arm. An abnormal difference may be a sign of peripheral vascular disease, which is usually caused by atherosclerosis.

Cardiac catheterization and angiogram- A doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel and to your heart. Dye flows through the catheter. As the dye fills your arteries, the arteries become visible on X-ray, revealing areas of blockage.

Coronary calcium scan-uses computerized tomography (CT) imaging to create detailed pictures of your heart. It can show calcium deposits in the artery walls. When calcium is present, the higher the score, the higher your risk of heart disease.

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Medications

Statins and other cholesterol meds

Blood thinners

Blood pressure meds

Surgery

Angioplasty and stent placement

Enderterectomy

Fibrinolytic therapy

Coronary artery bypass surgery