Common Cardiovascular Conditions
At UF Health St. Johns' Cardiology Care, patients trust our medical staff to treat a range of cardiovascular conditions.
To help orient patients to those conditions, we’ve prepared this resource guide to assist you or a family member to identify and understand symptoms you might be experiencing.
This guide is designed to provide insight. It is not a replacement for a consultation with trained medical personnel.
Aortic Aneurism
Aortic aneurism, a ballooning or swelling in the aorta wall, occurs when it loses its natural elasticity and has trouble carrying blood from the heart throughout the body. When the aortic wall loses elasticity, becomes damaged, or exceeds its normal size, the condition is termed an aortic aneurysm.
Statistically, aortic aneurysms are more commonly found in men over the age of 60, resulting in an estimated 15,000 deaths annually. The numbers have declined in recent years due to smoking cessation and cholesterol-regulating medication.
We offer patients advanced techniques to detect and treat aortic aneurysms.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle does not function properly, namely pumping blood in the bodily tissues or pumping the venous blood returned to it by the veins.
Symptoms of congestive heart failure can include:
- Shortness of breath, rapid heart beat, fainting, dizziness
- Ankle, feet, or leg swelling
- Persistent cough, coughing up pink colored mucus, wheezing, lack of appetite, decreased alertness
- Chest pain
If you are experiencing these or related symptoms, they may or may not be indicative of heart failure; it is imperative, therefore, that you contact your doctor immediately for a thorough health evaluation.
Structural Heart Disease
Structural heart disease refers to defects or disorders of the heart which may occur in the heart’s valves, walls, or chambers. These defects are often referred to as congenital, which means they may have been present at birth, or developed from aging or disease. UF Health St. Johns' Structural Heart Center provides multi-specialty care for patients who may be experiencing structural heart disease.
While some structural heart disease cases require open-heart surgery, there are alternatives such as minimally invasive, catheter-based treatments that have proven effective. A thorough examination by your cardiologist will determine if you or a family member has structural heart disease, and which options may be best for treatment.
Vascular Disease
At UF Health St. Johns' Cardiovascular Care program, we treat a range of vascular disease conditions. These include: peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, venous disease, blood clots, aortic aneurysm, and fibro muscular dysplasia.
Vascular disease affects the circulatory system and includes diseases of the arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and blood disorders that can have an affect on circulation.
The first step: consult a cardiologist for a complete health evaluation. During this examination, the doctor will determine what, if any, further care is required.
Do not attempt to diagnose yourself. In case of an emergency, dial 911.
