Welcome to the Shick Heart Center

Coronary Artery Disease/Blocked arteries
Atherosclerosis is a process that leads to a group of diseases characterized by a thickening of the artery walls. When the arteries to the heart muscle become thickened or lined with plaque it is called coronary artery disease. This is a progressive disease, which will continue to get worse unless measures such as lifestyle changes and medication are taken to slow down the plaque building process.
For more on Atherosclerosis visit the American Heart Association website. 

Learn more about Valve Disease

Myocardial Infarction / Heart Attack
A myocardial infarction occurs when blood flow to the heart is stopped or diminished enough to cause heart muscle death.
For more on Myocardial Infarction visit the American Heart Association website.

Angina
Angina is pain or discomfort of the heart muscle resulting from diminished flow of oxygenated blood. This discomfort can present itself in many different ways.
(Symptoms:  Mid chest pain, radiation down one or both arms, upper back pain, jaw / neck pain, shortness of breath, numbness / tingling in fingers arm or hand, constant fatigue.)
For more on Angina disease visit the American Heart Association website.

Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is in a weak or compromised state. It can be a chronic condition managed with medication or it can be an acute condition limited to a one-time occurrence. In either case it needs to be managed closely by a physician.  Treatment and management of this condition involves a combination of therapy including but not limited to medication, diet control and restriction, activity and lifestyle adjustments.
For more information on Congestive Heart Failure visit the American Heart Association Website. 
For more information on Congestive Heart Failure visit the Heart Failure Society of America Website

Arrhythmias
The heart normally beats in a synchronized rhythmic manner under the direction of your own internal electrical systems. When this system is disrupted by an event such as surgery, trauma, fluid imbalance or heart events, such as a heart attack, the synchronized rhythm becomes abnormal. This disrupted heartbeat is known as an arrhythmia. It can be treated or managed with medication the majority of the time. However there is also more invasive and aggressive treatment available. 
For more on Arrhythmias visit the American Heart Association website

Chest Trauma
Chest trauma occurs when an outside force injures some part of the cardiac structure. This force may cause bruising, inflammation or bleeding all of which reveal themselves as discomfort.

Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a condition of both heart muscle enlargement and impairment. There are various causes of cardiomyopathy however most of the time the cause is unknown. Management of this condition is done by a physician and usually involves medication, alcohol abstinence, dietary restrictions and exercise.
For more on Cardiomyopathy visit the American Heart Association website.

For more information about Heart Disease, Diagnosis and Treatments visit the American Heart Association Website

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