What Is Structural Heart Disease?
Structural heart disease is a term for any disorder that affects the anatomy of heart valves, muscles or walls. This abnormal heart condition may be present at birth, develop as a person ages or a complication of underlying diseases. Early detection may improve the condition of a structural heart disease patient and prevent further complications.
Structural heart disease includes the following heart conditions:
- Atrial septal defect
- Patent foramen ovale
- Ventricular septal defect
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Left atrial appendage
- Left ventricular aneurysm
- Paravalvular leak
- Post-MI ventricular septal rupture
- Valvular heart disease
- Mitral stenosis
- Mitral regurgitation
- Aortic stenosis
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
In the early stages, some adults with structural heart disease may have no symptoms. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:
- Chest pain
- Edema
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeats
- Kidney dysfunction
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Shortness of breath
Many congenital structural heart problems can be detected before or at birth and can be treated after the infant is born. However, structural heart disease can be more challenging to detect in some adults. Tell your doctor if a close relative had this disease so that your doctor may proceed with proper diagnostic tests to confirm your heart condition.
Structural heart defects may indicate a person’s risk for heart failure. According to the American Heart Association, heart failure progresses through the following stages:
| Stage A | People at risk for heart failure but show no signs of heart muscle injury or structural heart disease. Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, genetic risk of heart failure, chemotherapy drug exposure, and obesity. |
| Stage B | People at risk for heart failure and show signs of structural heart disease. Diagnostic tests may reveal heart muscle injury, heart muscle enlargement, valve disease, and abnormalities in heart pumping or contraction. |
| Stage C | People with symptoms of heart failure and structural defects, experiencing symptoms like persistent cough, edema, shortness of breath, nausea, and fatigue. |
| Stage D | People with advanced heart failure that interferes with daily life. Heart implants and management strategies may be recommended for these patients. |
How Is Structural Heart Disease Diagnosed?
Diagnosing structural heart disease often involves a combination of clinical evaluations and specialized tests. It typically starts with a thorough physical examination and a review of your medical history. Your doctor may listen for abnormal heart sounds, check for symptoms like shortness of breath or fatigue and ask about any family history of heart conditions. If structural heart disease is suspected, further testing may include:
- Echocardiography: Uses sound waves to create images of your heart, allowing doctors to see its structure and how it functions.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of your heart and can help detect irregular heartbeats or other abnormalities.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans: These imaging tests provide detailed pictures of your heart and can help in assessing the extent of any structural issues.
- Cardiac catheterization: A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to your heart to get a closer look at the heart's structures and blood flow.
Early detection is important in managing structural heart disease, especially in regions where access to advanced treatment may be limited. If you have concerns about your heart health, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor about screening options. Piedmont Medical Center offers diagnostic tests in Fort Mill and Rock Hill, SC.
Types of Structural Heart Procedures
While some structural heart problems may only require monitoring, others might need open-heart surgery or minimally invasive procedures based on the specific condition. Medications and lifestyle changes may be enough for some patients with mild structural heart disease.
However, medications alone cannot fix a damaged heart valve. Surgery is often recommended to replace or repair the diseased valve. If left untreated, it may worsen heart function and limit treatment options. At Piedmont Medical Center, we offer the following minimally invasive structural heart surgery options:
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) – also known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), involves the use of a thin tube called a catheter which is inserted through an artery leading to the damaged valve.
- WATCHMAN – a small, implantable device used to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) by sealing off the left atrial appendage, where blood clots often form.
Contact our Structural Heart Navigator
As we age, the risk of heart valve problems and other cardiovascular diseases increases. Take charge of your heart health by getting heart health screenings regularly. Fill out a contact form, and we’ll call you to refer you to a doctor. We offer direct access to care coordinators to guide you with our structural heart program.
