Is congenital heart disease heart cancer?

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

Updated on September 02, 2024

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Congenital heart disease primarily refers to the abnormal development of the heart and blood vessels during the fetal period, leading to cardiovascular malformations. It is the most common type of heart disease in children, with an incidence rate of about 6-8 per 1,000 live births. Generally, congenital heart disease refers to malformations during the development of the fetal heart. The exact causes of this condition are still not completely understood. However, actively preventing viral infectious diseases in the early stages of pregnancy and avoiding certain high-risk factors associated with the disease play a significant role in preventing congenital heart disease in children. It should be noted that congenital heart disease represents malformations in the development of the heart and is not a form of heart cancer, hence there is no terminology that describes it as such.

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Written by Chen Ya

Geriatrics

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Is heart palpitations a heart disease?

Palpitations are one of the main symptoms of cardiovascular disease, but they should not be equated with it. Some palpitations do not accompany arrhythmias and can also occur in normal people, especially when lying on the left side, which might be noticeable. It is commonly seen in normal individuals who are nervous and sensitive, as well as in some anxious people. Normal people might experience palpitations during intense exercise; these could be due to sinus tachycardia or a high-output circulatory state, but most other cases should be evaluated to exclude heart disease.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei

Cardiology

50sec

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How do you get heart disease?

There are many causes of heart disease, the most common being coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, which is due to long-term hyperlipidemia leading to arteriosclerosis. After the coronary arteries harden, the lumen narrows, resulting in insufficient myocardial blood supply and the onset of coronary heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease occurs when the body is infected with streptococcus and does not receive adequate treatment, leading to an abnormal immune response that attacks the heart valves, causing valve damage. Pulmonary heart disease is caused by long-term insufficient ventilation leading to emphysema, and pulmonary hypertension increases the resistance on the heart, causing right ventricular hypertrophy.

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Written by Li Tao

Pulmonology

52sec

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How is cor pulmonale treated?

Cor pulmonale refers to the disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance due to pathological changes in the bronchi, lung tissue, thorax, or pulmonary vessels, leading to pulmonary arterial pressure and subsequently causing changes in the structure and function of the right ventricle. When cor pulmonale occurs, treatment is generally divided into the acute exacerbation phase where active control of infections, clearing of the airways, improvement of respiratory function, correction of hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention, control of respiratory failure and acute heart failure, and management of complications are emphasized. During the chronic remission phase, the goal is to enhance the patient's immune function, eliminate triggering factors, reduce or avoid the occurrence of acute exacerbations, and partially or fully restore cardiopulmonary function.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

55sec

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Is heart pain always a heart disease?

Heart pain is not necessarily caused by heart disease; there are many reasons for heart pain, and these vary with the age of onset. For instance, in middle-aged and older people, attention should be paid to the possibility of angina or myocardial infarction. Symptoms of angina often last for a few minutes and can be relieved by rest or taking nitroglycerin tablets. Myocardial infarction, on the other hand, often presents with intense heart pain located at the sternum, which persists without relief. In younger individuals, it is important to consider lung-related diseases causing pain, such as pleurisy or pneumothorax, where pain is often related to breathing. It is necessary to visit a hospital for proper examinations, including an electrocardiogram, blood tests for cardiac enzymes and troponin, and a CT scan of the lungs to determine the cause of the pain based on these tests.

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Written by Xiao Chang Jiang

Cardiology

1min 24sec

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Early symptoms of heart disease

How is heart disease diagnosed? What are its early symptoms? Actually, the concept of heart disease is very broad as it includes many diseases related to the heart. Generally, it refers to problems with the structure or function of the heart, or its inability to perform its pumping function. Its early symptoms can include chest tightness, chest pain, or a crushing feeling after activity, and some may even radiate to the back or the inside of the arms, even involving the shoulders, presenting symptoms like increased heart rate, palpitations, tinnitus, and breathing difficulties. All these are related to heart disease. But how can we determine what kind of heart disease it is? We believe that the first step is to visit a hospital for tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG), ambulatory ECGs, exercise stress tests, and other imaging tests including coronary CT and even coronary angiography. Of course, some biochemical tests are also necessary, such as myocardial enzymes, troponins, myoglobins, brain natriuretic peptides, immunological and biological tests, which all help to determine the nature of the heart disease. In summary, we must pay special attention to heart disease, and once these symptoms appear, we should seek medical attention promptly and early.