There are a large number of cardiac conditions that can be inherited or acquired.

Heart for Life have prepared information on some of the more common conditions, with explanations about what the conditions are, how they can affect you and possible future treatment and management options.

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure) →

    Hypertension is a medical condition where there is increased blood pressure within the circulation system. It is usually a consequence of increased stiffness in the walls of the ar...

  • Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome →

    WPW syndrome is an electrical abnormality of the heart caused by an extra nerve (or accessory pathway). This allows the heart to electrically short circuit itself generating rapid ...

  • Valvular Heart Disease →

    Valvular heart disease describes an abnormality of one of the heart valves. Valve disease is usually due to ‘wear and tear’ but an abnormally formed valve can also cause it. Va...

  • Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) →

    Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an abnormality of the heart rhythm. SVT usually occurs due to the presence of an extra nerve or pathway within the heart resulting in an elect...

  • Sinus Node Disease →

    Sinus node disease is an abnormality of the heart’s natural pacemaker – the sinus node. Delayed electrical discharges cause the heart to beat abnormally slow. How common i...

  • Septal Defects (ASD / VSD / PFO) →

    Septal defects are small holes in the heart. They usually occur between the upper heart chambers – an atrial septal defect (ASD) or between the main pumping chambers of the heart...

  • Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) →

    Right bundle branch block (RBBB) is an abnormality of the electrical conducting system of the heart. There are two main conducting pathways in the heart, the left and the right bun...

  • Marfan Syndrome →

    The Marfan syndrome is a genetic condition affecting the joints and supporting structures of the body. This can lead to abnormalities in the heart including in the main blood vesse...

  • Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) →

    Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an abnormality of the heart in which electrical channels increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythms. There are several different types of LQTS and the ...

  • Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) →

    Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is an abnormality of the electrical conducting system of the heart. There are two main conducting pathways in the heart, the left and the right bund...

  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy →

    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened. This can results in obstruction to blood flow within the heart and a risk of heart r...

  • Aortic Coarctation →

    Aortic coarctation is a narrowing in the main blood vessel of the body (the aorta). This is usually present since birth. How common is it? Aortic coarctation affects about 1 ...

  • Heart Block →

    Heart block occurs when there is a delay or block in the electrical signals as they pass from the top to the bottom of the heart. It is classified as first, second (types 1 and 2) ...

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy →

    Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle abnormality in which the heart is enlarged and doesn’t contract normally. Causes include viral inflammation of the heart, excess alcohol ...

  • Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) →

    Coronary heart disease (CHD) is narrowing of your heart arteries due to fatty deposits in the artery walls. It is more common in smokers and in people with high blood pressure, dia...

  • Coronary artery anomalies →

    A coronary artery anomaly is an abnormality in the course or location of one of the heart’s arteries. The anomaly can result in reduced blood supply to the heart or premature nar...

  • Brugada Syndrome →

    Brugada syndrome is an electrical abnormality of the heart that can increase the risk of developing abnormal and potentially dangerous heart rhythms. The condition gets its name fr...

  • Bicuspid Aortic Valve →

    A bicuspid aortic valve is formed when the main outflow valve of the heart develops with two opening leaflets rather than three. How common is it? A bicuspid aortic valve is ...

  • Atrial Flutter →

    Atrial flutter is an abnormal rhythm in the top part of the heart that generates an irregular pulse and alters the way the heart functions. Atrial flutter is more common in patient...

  • Atrial Fibrillation (AF) →

    Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinical heart rhythm condition. An abnormal rhythm in the top part of the heart generates an irregular pulse and alters the way the hea...

  • Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) →

    Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heart muscle abnormality that can lead to heart rhythm disturbances and alterations in the way the heart function. ...

Pages