Treatment for Additional Heart Problems in Columbus, GA

Cardiovascular Care for Patients Throughout West Central Georgia and East Central Alabama

In addition to congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and hypertension, patients in West Central Georgia and East Central Alabama can develop or experience other heart conditions or heart-related issues that threaten their overall health.

The heart specialists at Southeastern Cardiology offer effective care, management, and/or treatment for a wide range of heart conditions or complications, from arrhythmia to valvular heart disease and more.

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Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia, or an abnormal heart rhythm, occurs when the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or with the upper and lower chambers out of sync with each other. A patient with arrhythmia who experiences a consistently irregular heartbeat can experience dangerous or life-threatening complications, such as blood pooling in the heart, circulatory malfunction, and even organ damage.

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Arrhythmia Types

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Atrial flutter
  • Bradycardia
  • Premature contraction
  • Tachycardia
  • Ventricular fibrillation

Arrhythmia Symptoms

  • Heart palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Breathing trouble
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Excessive sweating
  • Physical weakness

Arrhythmia Causes

Arrhythmia Complications

  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Blood clots
  • Stroke
  • Damage to other organs, including the brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs
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Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition wherein plaque builds up within the arteries and vessels that carry blood to and from the heart. The buildup consists of cholesterol and other fatty deposits that accumulate to narrow or completely block blood from flowing through the vessel. Additionally, a deposit can rupture, causing a blood clot and leading to a heart attack or stroke. Once buildup has developed, it cannot be reversed. However, it can be prevented and its progression can be slowed.

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Atherosclerosis Symptoms

Atherosclerosis does not usually lead to noticeable symptoms. However, blocked arteries can cause:

  • Chest pain
  • Sudden numbness or weakness
  • Slurred speech
  • Blood pressure spikes
  • Vision trouble
  • Kidney or other organ failure

Atherosclerosis Causes

  • Genetics
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking/tobacco use
  • Obesity
  • Inflammation/inflammatory conditions
  • Poor diet
  • Inactive lifestyle

Atherosclerosis Complications

  • Coronary artery disease
  • Carotid artery disease
  • Peripheral artery disease
  • Aneurysms
  • Kidney disease
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Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a dysfunction of the heart muscle in which the heart cannot pump blood at a functional rate. Patients with cardiomyopathy have a weaker heart muscle and risk developing heart failure or other serious conditions. While there are several types of cardiomyopathy, patients most often experience one of three: dilated, hypertrophic, or restrictive cardiomyopathy.

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Cardiomyopathy Symptoms

Cardiomyopathy does not always lead to symptoms. However, patients can experience:

  • Breathing difficulties
  • Chest pain
  • Arrhythmias
  • Swelling in the feet, legs, or abdomen
  • Fluid retention
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Complications while lying down

Cardiomyopathy Causes

Cardiomyopathy Complications

  • Heart failure
  • Blood clots
  • Heart valve damage
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Sudden death
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Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease is a condition in which patients are born with structural damage to or malfunction of the heart. Whether the patient is born with malfunctioning heart valves, chamber damage, blood vessel issues, or any other complication that affects how blood flows through the heart, it is considered congenital heart disease. Some cases of congenital heart disease are mild, while others can be severe.

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Congenital Heart Disease Symptoms

Many patients do not experience symptoms until later in life. These symptoms can include:

  • Arrhythmias
  • Bluish or graying skin
  • Breathing troubles
  • Fatigue
  • Swelling, or fluid retention, throughout the body

Congenital Heart Disease Causes

  • Genetics
  • Rubella during pregnancy
  • Diabetes during pregnancy
  • Certain medications during pregnancy
  • Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
  • Smoking during pregnancy

Congenital Heart Disease Complications

  • Arrhythmias
  • Endocarditis
  • Stroke
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Heart failure
  • Increased respiratory infections
  • Failure to thrive
  • Cardiac arrest
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Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia, more commonly known as high cholesterol, is a condition in which too much cholesterol in the body accumulates on the walls of the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis or narrowed/blocked arteries. Hyperlipidemia puts patients at an increased risk of developing heart disease and experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

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Hyperlipidemia Symptoms

Hyperlipidemia does not usually lead to noticeable symptoms. However, narrowed or blocked arteries can cause:

  • Chest pain
  • Sudden numbness or weakness
  • Slurred speech
  • Blood pressure spikes
  • Vision trouble
  • Kidney or other organ failure

Hyperlipidemia Causes

  • Genetics
  • High-fat diet
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol misuse
  • Too much stress
  • Certain medications
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid disease
  • Liver disease
  • Sleep apnea

Hyperlipidemia Complications

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Myocarditis

Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle (also known as the myocardium), is a condition that affects the strength of the heart and its ability to pump blood. Myocarditis can be mild or severe, and treatment can require medications or surgery. Myocarditis typically occurs independently of pericarditis, but it is possible to experience both conditions at the same time.

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Myocarditis Symptoms

  • Chest pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Arrhythmias
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Body aches
  • Sore throat
  • Excessive coughing
  • Fluid retention or swelling

Myocarditis Causes

  • Bacterial infection
  • Fungal infection
  • Parasitic infection
  • Viral infection
  • Certain medication
  • Drug misuse
  • Chemical exposure

Myocarditis Complications

  • Heart failure
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Arrhythmias
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Sudden death
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Pericarditis

Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac around the heart, known as the pericardium. In many cases, pericarditis is mild, but the condition can become moderate to severe and require medication intervention and, in rare cases, surgery. Pericarditis typically occurs independently of myocarditis, but it is possible to experience both conditions at the same time.

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Pericarditis Symptoms

  • Chest pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Arrhythmias
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Body aches
  • Sore throat
  • Excessive coughing
  • Fluid retention or swelling

Pericarditis Causes

  • Infection
  • Post-heart-attack immune system disorders
  • Head injury
  • Heart injury
  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Kidney failure
  • Cancer
  • Certain medications

Pericarditis Complications

  • Pericardial effusion, or fluid buildup on the heart
  • Constrictive pericarditis, or damage to the lining of the heart
  • Cardiac tamponade, or too much pressure on the heart due to pericardial effusion
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Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease is a condition where there is malfunction or dysfunction with any of the heart’s four valves—the tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, mitral valve, and aortic valve. Whenever any of these valves do not open or close properly, it leads to either mild, moderate, or severe valvular heart disease. The most common malfunctions are stenosis (the valve opening is too narrow), prolapse (the valve flaps do not close properly), or regurgitation (the valve forces blood to leak backward instead of flow forward).

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Valvular Heart Disease Symptoms

  • Chest pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Arrhythmias
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Fluid retention or swelling
  • Rapid weight gain

Valvular Heart Disease Causes

  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart damage following a heart attack
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Marfan syndrome
  • Heart tumors
  • Rheumatic fever
  • Infective endocarditis
  • Radiation therapy
  • Certain medications

Valvular Heart Disease Complications

  • Heart failure
  • Arrhythmias
  • Blood clots
  • Stroke
  • Heart attack
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Sudden death
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Schedule a Heart Evaluation Today: Call 706-243-4500 Today.

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A stethoscope resting on green scrubs with its tubing shaped like a heart on top of an electrocardiogram ECG printout, symbolizing healthcare and compassion.

Southeastern Cardiology Cares for Your Heart

Southeastern Cardiology is dedicated entirely to your heart health for the benefit of your overall health and well-being. We strive to make sure you have a positive experience receiving cardiovascular care from our heart doctors by combining fast appointment scheduling with compassionate and honest communication and cutting-edge solutions. Regardless of your heart problem, we offer healthcare solutions for all other cardiac conditions you may be experiencing or suffering from.

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