Your heart has four chambers, co-ordinated together to pump and receive blood from the body and the lungs. Connections between these chambers are colloquially referred to as ‘holes in the heart’ – sometimes normal, and sometimes not.
Author: Australian Heart
We're here to simplify the information around the most important organ in your body - your heart. Know more, be better.
What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur refers to an noise made by the heart by the flow of blood through the valves. In some cases, this can be a normal finding, and in others, it can indicate a serious problem.
What is dyspnoea?
The term dyspnoea describes the feeling of difficulty with breathing, often described as feeling short of breath.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a term used to describe a broad range of conditions that all share similar symptoms and signs. It is the fastest growing cardiovascular condition. At the core, heart failure is about one key principle: the heart’s function cannot match the body’s requirements.
What is a stent?
When you have coronary artery disease, blockages made up of plaque narrow down or completely block the coronary arteries, reducing the blood supply (ischaemia) or causing a heart attack. To prevent this damage, we can insert a stent to push the blockage out of the way and get blood flow back.
What is heart disease?
Having heart disease comes in many different forms, but in general there are four main categories in adults – coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and arrhythmia.
What is a pericardial effusion?
A pericardial effusion means you have an excess of fluid around the heart, which can push on the heart itself and cause problems.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
Considering that heart attacks are the leading cause of death in Australia, it’s important you know what the symptoms are so it can be picked up early. Although it can be a dramatic event, many patients ignore their symptoms for a long time because it isn’t severe enough – sometimes leaving it too late.
What is an ECG?
ECG stands for electrocardiogram, a simple non-invasive test that tells us about what your heart is doing. Continue reading “What is an ECG?”
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