Heart Disease

Most heart disease conditions fall into these categories:

• Aortic disease includes aortic stenosis, aortic aneurysm, or aortic dissection. 
• Arrhythmias are when the heart beats too fast, too slowly or irregularly.
• Cardiomyopathy is when the heart has trouble pumping blood to the body. It can lead to heart failure. Emory Healthcare’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic is the only one of its kind in Georgia.
• Congenital heart disease may be diagnosed at birth or later in life. If you have congenital heart disease, you need ongoing care.
• Congestive heart failure happens when the heart does not pump blood well. It is a serious condition, but manageable with the latest approaches to heart failure treatment.
• Coronary artery disease is common and happens when problems occur with the vessels that bring blood to the heart. This can cause heart attacks.
• Heart valve disease includes aortic stenosis and insufficiency.
• Vascular disease affects the blood vessels that carry blood to and from your heart and can lead to heart disease.

Symptoms of heart disease vary according to your specific condition. Some people have many signs, and others have none.

Typical symptoms can include:

• Chest pain, pressure, tightness, squeezing or aching
• Discomfort that spreads to your shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw or teeth
• Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
• Racing or very slow heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the hands, ankles and feet
• Weakness or fatigue

You may have other symptoms specific to your heart condition.

If you or someone you are with feels they are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately. 

Diagnosing heart disease depends on your health history and symptoms. To diagnose heart disease, doctors will perform a physical exam and a blood test. You may also have a chest X-ray.

Your doctor will order other tests as needed. Some of the standard diagnostic tests for heart disease include:

• Angiogram: Shows blood flow restrictions
• Cardiac catheterization: Provides an image of the blocked artery
• CT scan or MRI: Shows a detailed scan of your heart
• Echocardiography: Sound waves create images of your heart
• EKG: Records the electrical activity of the heart
• Exercise stress test: Monitors the heart’s response to physical activity

This is not a complete list. Your doctor may request a different test—or multiple tests—depending on your symptoms and physical exam. 

Heart disease complications depend on your condition. They can include:

• Aneurysm: A bulge in the wall of an artery.
• Heart attack: Due to lack of blood flow to the heart.
• Peripheral artery disease: The arms or legs don't get enough blood from the heart.
• Stroke: Not enough blood reaches the brain.
• Sudden cardiac arrest: The heart stops working.

Emory Heart & Vascular offers personalized care for every heart condition and complication.