Cardiac Diagnosis and Treatment Areas

Heart and vascular diseases are the most common conditions in adults and remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. However, in modern medicine, early diagnosis, proper management of risk factors, and personalized treatment strategies allow many of these diseases to be controlled, slowed in progression, and even prevented before serious events occur.

This section outlines the major disease groups affecting the cardiovascular system, along with their diagnostic foundations and treatment principles. The aim is to help patients understand their condition accurately and to support their active and informed participation in the treatment process.

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

A heart attack occurs when one of the coronary arteries supplying the heart becomes suddenly blocked, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and causing damage within minutes.
Typical symptoms include chest tightness, pain radiating to the left arm, sweating, palpitations, nausea, or unexpected fatigue.
Early angiography and vessel-opening procedures (balloon angioplasty or stenting) significantly reduce heart muscle damage; therefore, every minute counts.
Some patients experience only mild symptoms, making timely recognition and seeking medical help critically important.

Silent Heart Disease and Sudden Cardiac Death Risks

In some individuals, coronary blockages progress without any symptoms. During this silent phase, basic tests such as ECG or stress testing may appear normal; the disease may only become apparent during a sudden crisis or death.
For individuals with a family history of early heart attacks, smokers, or those with high blood pressure or cholesterol, advanced imaging tests and risk assessments are crucial.
Even mild to moderate blockages can precipitate sudden cardiac death, making the screening of silent coronary disease a key component of preventive cardiology.

Coronary Artery Disease

Narrowing of the coronary arteries reduces blood flow to the heart muscle.
This often presents as exertional chest pain, shortness of breath, pressure in the chest, or decreased exercise tolerance.
Coronary artery disease is progressive, and once diagnosed, treatment is individualized:

• Lifestyle modifications
• Medication targeting cholesterol and blood pressure control
• Interventional treatments such as balloon angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery
  With proper follow-up and treatment, disease progression can be halted and the risk of future blockages significantly reduced.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition arising from the accumulation of cholesterol and inflammatory cells within the vessel wall.
It progresses silently over many years and can affect not only the coronary arteries but also the vessels supplying the brain, legs, and kidneys.
Detecting it early helps prevent serious outcomes such as stroke, heart attack, and sudden cardiac death.
Today, techniques such as calcium scoring and CT angiography allow for the identification of atherosclerosis even before symptoms appear.

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs.
In early stages, symptoms may include mild fatigue or shortness of breath during exertion; in advanced stages, shortness of breath at rest, swelling in the legs, and palpitations may appear.
The goals of treatment include:

• Reducing the workload of the heart,
• Regulating fluid balance,
• Correcting underlying coronary or valvular problems,
• Strengthening heart muscle function.
  With appropriate medication and, when necessary, interventional or device-based therapies, patients’ quality of life can improve significantly.

Heart Valve Diseases and Congenital Heart Defects

Narrowing (stenosis) or leakage (regurgitation) of heart valves disrupts normal circulation and may lead to heart enlargement, arrhythmias, or heart failure over time.
Some congenital heart defects (such as ASD or VSD) may progress silently for years and cause serious issues in adulthood.
Echocardiography is the primary diagnostic tool; when needed, catheter-based pressure measurements are performed.
Treatment options include monitoring, medical therapy, valve repair, or closure of defects using interventional techniques.