Heart diseases with unique names
THE world of medicine can prove to be slightly confusing to those who are not very well versed in it. Many diseases got their names through foreign languages such as Greek or Latin. Sometimes, a disease was named after the person who first came upon it. Today, however, it is less common for diseases to get their names from animal species, people groups or the geographical locations where they were first discovered. Mostly, names are now derived from describing its appearance and the symptoms it causes. Healthy Heart takes a look at some of the more curious conditions that may afflict and assail the human body’s most hardworking organ.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Also known as broken heart syndrome or apical ballooning syndrome, takotsubo cardiomyopathy was first confirmed in Japan in 1991. It is a temporary heart condition that is often triggered by stressful situations and extreme emotions.
The condition got its name from how the left ventricle of a patient diagnosed with the condition resembled the shape of a Japanese octopus trap (takotsubo).
The syndrome happens in women more often than men. People with takotsubo cardiomyopathy may experience a sudden chest pain or shortness of breath, both of which are symptoms similar to that of a heart attack. While the causes of the condition remain unclear, the prognosis or likely outcome of this condition is generally favourable as the symptoms are treatable, and most individuals recover within a month.
Tetralogy of Fallot
This is a rare condition present at birth. It was first discovered by Frenchman Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot in 1888. The “tetra” in tetralogy refers to four defects of the heart and its blood vessels that commonly occur together.
This complex heart defect affects the normal blood flow through the heart. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in every 2,518 babies are born with tetralogy of Fallot yearly in the US.
However, patients seem to live normal lives after undergoing the required corrective surgery. The exact cause of this heart defect remains unknown, but is thought to be caused by a combination of genes and environmental risk factors such as what the mother consumed during pregnancy.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis refers to the inflammation of a sac-like tissue that covers the heart called the pericardium. While the cause of the inflammation often remains unknown, it is commonly induced by viral infections. Most cases are mild and will recede on their own. However, more severe cases may lead to an abnormal accumulation of fluid – pericardial effusion – in which increasing pressure affects heart functions negatively.
Aortic regurgitation
Also known as aortic insufficiency, the condition refers to the leaking of blood flow back into the main pumping chamber of the heart known as the left ventricle. It is caused by an aortic valve, one of four main valves of the heart. In this condition, the aortic valve does not close tightly during the diastole stage of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes. This creates flow in two directions during the relaxation of the heart to refill with blood and causes the left ventricle to hold more blood. Over time, this results in the enlargement of the ventricle – which can weaken it.
Ventricular septal defect
A hole in the heart, present at birth. Ventricular septal defects are the most common birth defects, with about one in every 500 babies born with it. The condition is usually considered non-lifethreatening as smaller holes typically close as the child grows – usually during infancy or early childhood. However, significant heart lesions can be remedied with transcatheter treatment to avoid life-threatening complications such as irregular heartbeats.
Heartburn
While the word “heartburn” may appear dangerous and threatening, it is actually caused by the stomach’s digestive acid rising up the oesophagus tube. It appears in the form of a burning sensation in the chest. The pain is commonly mistaken as coming from the heart, thus its name. It may also be mistaken for angina – a discomfort of the chest.
While medical terminology may appear opaque and confounding to those not well versed in them, it is important to always consult with your physician who can clarify more on any concerns and a medical condition’s implications. It is recommended to carry out heart check-ups every two to four years. For patients with high-risk factors, physicians may recommend more frequent monitoring.