What your cardiologist in DeSoto and Mansfield wants you to know

The term “heart disease” can cover a wide range of heart conditions resulting from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other chronic issues. Some types of heart diseases are also due to genetic factors or structural defects in the heart. Dr. Manish Patel at Precision Cardiac & Vascular Care wants to share his knowledge of common heart diseases. He has two convenient office locations in DeSoto and Mansfield, TX to serve your needs.

Coronary artery disease, also known as CAD, is a common heart disease caused by a buildup of bad cholesterol, or LDL. The cholesterol forms a plaque which narrows your arteries. A heart attack can happen when a piece of the plaque breaks off and blocks off an artery. The decreased blood flow stops oxygen from getting to your heart, causing damage to the heart muscle and tissues.

Congestive heart failure, also known as CHF, is another common type of heart disease which occurs from a weakened heart having difficulty pumping out blood. Your heart can become weakened from a variety of issues including valve problems, infections, and other conditions. With CHF you may have a low volume of blood pumping to your organs, or you may have blood backing up causing congestion, or a combination of both.

Valvular heart disease involves problems with one or more of the four valves in your heart. You can acquire valve problems from birth, or from an infection. There are many types of valvular heart disease including mitral valve prolapse, aortic valve stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation, among others.

You can acquire heart disease from a variety of infections which attack the heart muscle and tissue. Viruses and tuberculosis are known to cause heart damage. The pericardium, which is the protective sac around the heart, can become inflamed, causing pericarditis. The heart valves can also be affected, causing endocarditis.

These are just a few common heart diseases, each of which can produce different signs and symptoms, some of them life-threatening. You should seek medical care immediately if you experience:

• Chest pain that doesn’t go away
• Shortness of breath
• Fluttering, racing or slow heartbeat
• Fainting

You should seek out the help of Dr. Patel if you notice these additional symptoms:

• Fatigue or nausea
• Swelling in your legs and ankles
• Pain, numbness or weakness in your extremities

Don’t ignore the symptoms of heart disease. Instead, call Dr. Patel at Precision Cardiac & Vascular Care, with offices in DeSoto and Mansfield, TX. Call today, it may save your life!