Patient Education
Common Symptoms We Evaluate:
Syncope (Fainting)
Syncope is the medical term for fainting or passing out. There are many different types of syncope and as you can imagine many different causes for syncope. Sometimes a patient experiences lightheadedness, blurry vision, or very brief loss of consciousness without actually falling to the ground. This is considered as “near-syncope” or “pre-syncope.” [para] Syncope can be related to dehydration, neurological causes, heart conditions, arrhythmia, or sometimes a condition known as dysautonomia or POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). One of the most common types of syncope is known as Vasovagal Syncope also known as the common faint. In addition, you may see this condition of vasovagal syncope referred to as neurocardiogenic syncope. If someone experiences an episode of vasovagal syncope, it is often a somewhat scary event for the patient and witnesses/bystanders. However, vasovagal syncope is usually not life threatening and also usually not a sign of an underlying life threatening condition. [para] Our goal at CCC is help determine the underlying cause for syncope or pre-syncope and implement individualized therapies to help each of our patients overcome this condition.
For more information on Syncope, visit these educational websites:
Mayo Clinic – Fainting
Mayo Clinic – Vasovagal Syncope
Duke Health – When a child faints
Fairview – Understanding vasovagal syncope
Heart Murmur
A heart murmur is an extra sound arising from the heart that can be heard by a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional. True heart conidtions that create a murmur sound include structural defects such as ASD or VSD, heart valve abnormalities, and many others. Sometimes a heart murmur is heard when there is something else occurring in the body that is forcing the heart to pump more forcefully. Examples of these include anemia (low iron/low red blood cell count), fever, illness, or infection. [para] It is very important to note that the presence of a heart murmur does not necessarily indicate there is an underlying heart condition or abnormality. Especially in children there are many types of benign heart murmurs which are simply extra sounds created by a healthy heart. If a patient referred to CCC for evaluation of a heart murmur, we will do a physical examination, ECG, and likely an echocardiogram (ultrasound examination of the heart). This evaluation will help us determine if the extra sound is benign (harmless) or something else.
For more reading on Heart Murmurs, visit these educational websites:
WebMD – What are heart murmurs?
KidsHealth – Heart Murmurs in Children
American Academy of Pediatrics – Heart Murmurs in Children
Chest Pain
Information coming soon…
Palpitatons (Heart racing, or heart fluttering)
Information coming soon…
Abnormal ECG (aka Abnormal EKG)
Information coming soon…
Common Conditions We Treat:
This is a partial list of conditions that we evaluate and treat. Note that this website is always evolving and expanding. We will add more information and links about these conditions over time. At CCC, we believe that patient and family education regarding their heart condition is of utmost importance.
Congenital Heart Diseases
- ASD
- VSD
- PFO
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Long QT Syndrome
- Brugada Syndrome
- Short QT Syndrome
- Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC); Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD); Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ALVC); Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ALVD);
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- Double Outlet Right Ventricle
- Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA) and other Congenital Coronary Artery Anomalies
Heart Valve Conditions:
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve (bAV)
- Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)
- Pulmonary Stenosis/Aortic Stenosis
- Tricuspid Valve Conditions
- Ebstein Anomaly
- Tricuspid Regurgitation
WPW
Information coming soon…
Complete Heart Block
Information coming soon…
Sick Sinus Syndrome/Sinus Node Dysfunction/Sinoatrial Node Dysfunction (SAND)
Information coming soon…
Conduction Abnormalities
Information coming soon…
Information for Athletes
Information coming soon…
ECG Screening
Information coming soon…
Cardiac Genetics
Information coming soon…
Family History of Heart Disease
Information coming soon…
