Heart Disease
Patient Stories
Reggie Anderson

Sean Anderson, 14

"One night about 8 years ago, 6 year old Sean Anderson got up from bed complaining of nausea and stomach ache. He had a low grade fever, so his parents comforted him and put him back to bed, assuming it was a typical virus. A week later, Sean still wasn't feeling well, so they took him to his pediatrician, who also diagnosed a virus. A week later, Sean's condition became worse, and his parents rushed him to the ER late one night. The physician diagnosed a virus and encouraged his parents to keep him hydrated. The following week, Sean's condition was still worse and he was very weak. Frantic, his parents brought him to his pediatrician's office again, and for the first time, a physician listened to Sean's heart." more...


Glossary
Heart Disease
Heart Valve Disease
Atrial Fibrillation
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There are many diseases from which your heart may suffer. In coronary artery disease (ischaemic cardiomyopthy) the heart vessels become narrowed or even blocked, and the heart is not supplied with sufficient oxygen and might be irreversibly damaged. In heart muscle disease (dilated cardiomyopathy) there is a weakness of the heart muscle.

These two indications are the main reasons (more than 90%) for heart transplantation. These illnesses may arise as a result of excessive alcohol consumption, hypertension, smoking, adverse effects of medication, hyperlipidaemia (raised blood lipids), infections, or thorough genetic predisposition.

Other indications include long-term valvular dysfunction with subsequent enlargement of the heart or congenital heart disease, which cannot be repaired by conventional cardiac surgery techniques. All these conditions result in heart insufficiency.

In the event of end-stage failure of the heart, which cannot be treated by medication or surgery, the only life-saving option may be to remove the diseased heart and transplant a healthy one in its place.

Your risk of developing cardiovascular disease increases with a number of risk factors. Some factors you can change and some you can't.

Most people notice that they feel lethargic, weak, or become easily fatigued. However, there are other common signs of heart failure, which may include:

  • Breathlessness
  • Chest pain
  • Water rentention in tissues (e.g. swelling of the feet)