Oct 20th, 2021 - Diagnosis Chest pain doesn't always signal a heart attack. But that's what health care providers in the emergency room usually test for first because it's potentially the most immediate threat to your life. They may also check for life-threatening lung conditions — such as a collapsed lung or a blood clot in the lung. Immediate tests Some of the first tests a health care provider may order when...

Sep 29th, 2021 - Overview In heart valve disease, one or more of the valves in your heart doesn't work properly. Your heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the correct direction. In some cases, one or more of the valves don't open or close properly. This can cause the blood flow through your heart to your body to be disrupted. Your heart valve disease treatment depends on the heart valve affected and...

Sep 29th, 2021 - Overview A tension-type headache (TTH) is generally a mild to moderate pain that's often described as feeling like a tight band around the head. A tension-type headache is the most common type of headache, yet its causes aren't well understood. Treatments for tension-type headaches are available. Managing a tension-type headache is often a balance between practicing healthy habits, finding effe...

Sep 29th, 2021 - Heart valve disease care at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic team discussion A team of doctors collaborate and discuss heart valve disease. Your Mayo Clinic care team At Mayo Clinic, doctors trained in heart disease (cardiologists), doctors trained in heart surgery (cardiovascular surgeons) and other heart valve disease specialists work together to provide you with coordinated, comprehensive care. This ...

Sep 14th, 2021 - Overview What is interrupted aortic arch (IAA)? Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare condition in which your baby’s aorta — the large blood vessel coming from their heart that carries blood to the rest of their body — is incomplete or interrupted. The human heart has four chambers: The left atrium and right atrium (plural: atria) on the top, and the left and right ventricles (pumping chamber...

Sep 14th, 2021 - Overview Pulmonary hypertension Open pop-up dialog box Close Pulmonary hypertension Pulmonary hypertension When the tiny blood vessels in the lungs become thickened, narrowed, blocked or destroyed, it's harder for blood to flow through the lungs. As a result, blood pressure increases in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure...

Sep 2nd, 2021 - Overview A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth. The small flaplike opening is between the right and left upper chambers of the heart (atria). As a baby grows in the womb, the foramen ovale (foh-RAY-mun oh-VAY-lee) is present in between the right and left top chambers of the heart (atria). It normally closes during infancy. When the f...

Aug 31st, 2021 - Overview Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection Open pop-up dialog box Close Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection An aortic aneurysm occurs when a weak spot in the wall of the aorta begins to bulge, as shown in the image on the left. An aneurysm can occur anywhere in the aorta. Having an aortic aneurysm increases the risk of a tear in the aortic lining (aor...

Aug 31st, 2021 - Aortic aneurysm care at Mayo Clinic Your Mayo Clinic care team Mayo Clinic doctors trained in blood vessel conditions (vascular specialists), blood vessel surgery (vascular and endovascular surgeons), heart and blood vessel surgery (cardiovascular surgeons), and heart and blood vessel conditions (cardiologists) and other medical specialists work together as a multidisciplinary team to evaluate ...

Aug 27th, 2021 - Abdominal aortic aneurysm care at Mayo Clinic Your Mayo Clinic care team Mayo Clinic doctors trained in blood vessel conditions (vascular specialists), blood vessel surgery (vascular and endovascular surgeons) and other doctors in a wide array of specialties work together as a team to provide coordinated, comprehensive care. This collaborative approach means doctors can often evaluate you and d...

Aug 27th, 2021 - Overview Abdominal aortic aneurysm Open pop-up dialog box Close Abdominal aortic aneurysm Abdominal aortic aneurysm An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when a lower portion of the body's main artery (aorta) becomes weakened and bulges. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged area in the lower part of the major vessel that supplies blood to the body (aorta). The aorta runs from the heart thr...

Aug 27th, 2021 - Diagnosis Abdominal aortic aneurysms are often found when a physical exam is done for another reason or during routine medical tests, such as an ultrasound of the heart or abdomen. To diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a doctor will examine you and review your medical and family history. If your doctor thinks that you may have an aortic aneurysm, imaging tests are done to confirm the diagno...

Aug 17th, 2021 - Overview What is truncus arteriosus? Truncus arteriosus (TRUN-kus are-teer-e-OH-sus) is a congenital heart defect (heart condition that’s present at birth). A baby with truncus arteriosus has one large artery (instead of the usual two arteries) for blood to flow in and out of the heart. These babies also have a single truncal valve instead of two valves to control this blood flow. Truncus arter...

Aug 13th, 2021 - Overview What is congenital heart disease? Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a defect or problem with the heart’s structure that’s present at birth, such as: A hole in the heart wall. Issues with the blood vessels (too many or too few, blood flowing too slowly, to the wrong place or in the wrong direction). Problems with the heart valves. Some cases of CHD are simple and may not cause any sympt...

Aug 12th, 2021 - Diagnosis To diagnose aortic valve regurgitation, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions about your signs and symptoms and you and your family's medical history. Your doctor may hear an abnormal sound (murmur) when listening to your heart with a stethoscope. A doctor trained in heart disease (cardiologist) may evaluate you. Your doctor may order several tests to diagnose aortic v...

Aug 12th, 2021 - Overview Aortic valve regurgitation Open pop-up dialog box Close Aortic valve regurgitation Aortic valve regurgitation In aortic valve regurgitation, the aortic valve doesn't close properly, causing blood to leak backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. Aortic valve regurgitation — or aortic regurgitation — is a condition that occurs when your heart's aortic valve doesn't close tightly....

Aug 12th, 2021 - Diagnosis Your doctor might check for the condition if he or she hears an abnormal sound in your upper stomach area or your neck that could be caused by the narrowed arteries. If someone in your family has or had fibromuscular dysplasia or aneurysm, your doctor might recommend checking you for the condition, even if you have no signs or symptoms. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ord...

Aug 12th, 2021 - Aortic valve regurgitation care at Mayo Clinic Your Mayo Clinic care team Mayo Clinic doctors trained in heart conditions (cardiologists), doctors trained in heart surgery (cardiovascular surgeons), imaging specialists and others work together to determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition. This team approach often means doctors can evaluate you and develop a treatment plan with...

Aug 12th, 2021 - Overview Fibromuscular dysplasia Open pop-up dialog box Close Fibromuscular dysplasia Fibromuscular dysplasia In fibromuscular dysplasia, the muscle and fibrous tissues in your arteries thicken, causing the arteries to narrow. This may reduce blood flow to your organs, leading to organ damage. Fibromuscular dysplasia of the artery to the kidney (renal artery) is shown here, with a "string of be...

Aug 11th, 2021 - Vascular rings Normal heart and heart with vascular ring Open pop-up dialog box Close Normal heart and heart with vascular ring Normal heart and heart with vascular ring A vascular ring is a malformation of the aortic arch anatomy, where vessels partly or completely encircle the trachea and esophagus. A normal heart with a normal aortic arch is shown on the left. An example of a vascular ring —...