Symptoms and Treatments of Structural Heart Disease

Learning that you have structural heart disease can be overwhelming news to receive. Everyone understands that the heart is key to body functioning. If your heart does not function well, then your body will not function well. At times, it can even lead to death. Knowing the basics about structural heart disease can go a long way in helping you understand the treatment that our doctor prescribes as well as what your end prognosis may be after treatment.

Structural heart disease is a defect or abnormality of the heart that does not affect the blood vessels in the heart. As the name implies, it is something that affects the structure of the heart itself. Many people are actually born with structural heart conditions. Some develop structural heart conditions as they get older. These develop as a result of wear and tear on the heart. Some people have had infections in their heart, and some individuals have an underlying condition that alters or damages the structure of the heart.

The symptoms a person with structural heart disease experiences vary depending on the type of structural malfunction they have as well as how severe the condition is. An individual with structural heart conditions may experience any of the following:

· Shortness of breath
· Stroke
· High blood pressure
· Fatigue
· Kidney disorder
· Chest pain or tightening

Since these symptoms may be a sign of heart disease or a sign of another serious illness, it is best to consult with our team of professionals at Cardiac Associates of North Jersey when you are experiencing this discomfort to get a further evaluation.

There are different types of structural heart disease. The treatments for structural heart disease are as varied as the causes and types of the disease. Treatment at Cardiac Associates of North Jersey may include catheter-based techniques, balloon valvuloplasty and valve replacement. In some cases, surgery is required. However, some patients have heart valve or congenital heart defects that are too risky for traditional surgery. In that case, catheter-based procedures may be used.

The best way to determine which treatment is right for addressing your structural heart disease is to schedule a consultation at Cardiac Associates of North Jersey. Our office is conveniently located in Oakland, NJ. Contact us today to set up an appointment to learn more about your treatment options!