Heart abnormality refers to any structural or functional irregularity, deviation, or anomaly that affects the normal functioning of the heart. It is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of conditions that can affect the heart's chambers, valves, blood vessels, electrical conduction system, or overall function.
Structural heart abnormalities involve defects or malformations in the heart's physical structure. These can include conditions like congenital heart defects, which are present at birth and may involve malformations in the heart's walls, valves, or blood vessels. Acquired heart abnormalities can also occur due to diseases, infections, or damage to the heart tissue, leading to conditions like heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or coronary artery disease.
Functional heart abnormalities involve disruptions or irregularities in the heart's electrical conduction system, which controls the heart's rhythm and rate. This can result in arrhythmias, where the heart beats too fast, too slow, or in an irregular pattern. Other functional abnormalities may include conduction disorders such as atrioventricular block or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
Heart abnormalities can vary in severity, ranging from mild conditions that have minimal impact on heart function to life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical intervention. Symptoms of heart abnormalities can include shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or swelling of the extremities. Diagnosis of heart abnormalities often involves a combination of medical history evaluation, physical examination, imaging tests like echocardiography or cardiac MRI, and electrophysiological studies.
Treatment for heart abnormalities depends on the specific condition and its severity. It may involve lifestyle modifications, medications, surgical interventions, or other procedures to correct structural defects, regulate heart rhythm, or enhance overall cardiac function.
