Many people struggle with heart conditions, which directly affect the structure of the heart. It can damage the valves, walls, or chambers. In this article, we will discuss the condition in detail and understand the treatment, symptoms, risks, and how it affects the heart. Structural Heart Disease condition can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood properly, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, or an irregular heartbeat. The most common types are heart valve disease, holes in the heart, and thickening of the heart muscle.
What is Structural Heart Disease?
Structural heart disease is a condition that affects the structure of the heart, including its valves, walls, or chambers. One can experience the condition from birth (congenital), or it may develop later in life due to aging, infections, or other health problems. The condition can affect anyone, and it occurs due to the common symptoms with a family history of structural heart disease.
Symptoms of Structural Heart Disease
The condition can cause several different symptoms, which depend on which part of the heart is affected. One may not notice any symptoms at first; however, the condition can aggravate in the future.
Shortness Of Breath
You may feel breathless even when you are performing simple activities such as walking or climbing stairs. It can happen because the heart cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body. In other cases, these symptoms can appear during rest or while lying down. It leads to frequently waking up at night due to difficulty breathing.
Chest Pain Or Tightness
When you notice a heavy, squeezing, or sharp pain in the chest, especially during physical activity, then you may have symptoms of structural heart disease. It occurs due to the heart muscle not receiving enough oxygen due to poor blood flow. The pain may spread to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back and can worsen with exertion.
Fatigue
There are times when you feel exhausted after light activities; this happens as the heart is not able to pump blood. It leads to reduced oxygen supply to muscles and organs. One may find that daily tasks such as cooking, dressing, or walking short distances may become difficult. It leads to a constant feeling of weakness or lack of energy.
Swelling In The Legs
When the heart is not functioning, it can cause fluid to build up in the body. It leads to swelling in the lower legs, ankles, and feet. In severe cases, the abdomen may also swell, making a person feel bloated or uncomfortable. The swelling is one of the key signs of heart disease.
Irregular Heartbeat
Due to structural abnormalities, the heart’s electrical signals get disrupted. It causes the heart to beat too fast or too slow. In addition, when you notice this symptom, it also leads to dizziness or fainting.
Dizziness Or Fainting
When there is low blood flow to the brain, it causes improper heart function, which eventually leads to lightheadedness or fainting. One can experience blackouts for a few seconds or feel as if they are going to collapse. The symptoms can be dangerous as they increase the risk of falls or injuries.
If you notice any symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention early, and an early diagnosis can help you manage the condition and prevent complications.
Structural Heart Disease Treatment
The overall treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the affected area of the heart structure. The goal is to improve heart function, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications. The following are the common treatment options for the condition:
Medications
The heart specialist will prescribe medication that will help you manage the symptoms. It may include blood thinners to prevent clots, beta-blockers to control heart rate, diuretics to reduce fluid buildup, and ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure and ease heart strain. The medications do not cure the disease but can help slow its progression.
Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes is difficult but a necessity. One can adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, which can significantly improve symptoms and prevent further damage. Eating a balanced diet low in salt and saturated fats and maintaining a healthy weight. Avoid smoking and alcohol, and manage stress through relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
Minimal Invasive Procedures
When you notice narrowed or leaky heart valves, the structural heart doctor will use catheter-based procedures. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) helps to replace a damaged aortic valve without open-heart surgery. Balloon valvuloplasty is another method that is used to widen narrow heart valves. The procedures involve small incisions and shorter recovery times.
Surgery
There are two types of surgery for the condition, including open-heart surgery and valve replacement. In some cases, surgery is required to repair or replace a damaged heart valve, close a hole in the heart, or remove thickened heart muscle. The structural heart cardiologist suggests that procedures like mitral valve repair or atrial septal defect (ASD) closure are common surgical treatments.
Risk of Structural Heart Interventions
Medical procedures like surgery and minimally invasive procedures help to improve heart function. Yet, in some cases, they can become a potential risk. The risk depends on various factors such as age, overall health, and the complexity of the condition. You may witness the following structural cardiac interventions:
Bleeding and infection
The procedure, which involves surgery, often has a chance of infection. However, it is rare with proper medical care.
Stroke and blood clots
One of the severe structural cardiac interventions involves blood clots and stroke. The formation of blood clots may increase the risk of stroke or other complications. In addition, blood thinners are often prescribed to reduce this risk.
Heart Rhythm Problems
Some patients may develop irregular heartbeats, and in some cases, a pacemaker may be needed to regulate the heartbeat.
Valve and device failure
If an implanted device stops working, then the patient may require additional procedures for correction.
Conclusion
Structural heart disease is a serious condition as it affects the heart’s structure, including its valves, walls, and chambers. One may have the condition from birth or develop it later due to aging, infections, or other health issues. You may not notice symptoms in the early stage, and the condition may worsen over time. It leads to shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, an irregular heartbeat, and swelling. You can book an appointment at the leading Cardiology & Vascular Care Center to get more clarity on structural heart disease.
FAQs
How Does Structural Heart Disease Affect the Heart?
The condition may impact the way your heart functions and affect its valves, walls, or chambers. If the heart’s structure is damaged, it struggles to pump blood efficiently, which leads to poor oxygen circulation. It can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.
Can Structural Heart Disease Be Cured?
There are certain conditions that can be repaired or managed effectively; however, there is no complete cure for many cases. The overall treatment depends on the severity of the condition. The medications can help control symptoms, and minimally invasive procedures or surgery can correct defects like valve problems or holes in the heart.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Structural Heart Disease?
One who is born with congenital heart defects; older adults, individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or infections affecting the heart, and those with a history of smoking or an unhealthy lifestyle. Regular screenings, a balanced diet, and exercise can help reduce the risk and detect early signs before complications arise.