COMMON CARDIOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

The information outlined below on common symptoms and conditions is provided as a guide only and it is not intended to be comprehensive. Discussion with Dr McAloon is important to answer any questions that you may have. For information about any additional symptoms you may be suffering from that are not featured within the site, please contact us for more information.

Chest Pain

There are many causes of chest pain. Many can be due to cardiac conditions. The we all think about first is heart attacks or strokes. Several tests may be needed to investigate this including ECG, echocardiogram, Cardiac CT scan, cardiac MRI and coronary angiogram.

Shortness of Breath

Feeling short of breath is a very common symptom with many potential causes. Many cardiac conditions can cause breathlessness, including heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy etc. Several tests are useful to investigate this including ECG, exercise treadmill tests, heart monitor, echocardiogram, Cardiac CT scan, cardiac MRI and coronary angiogram.

Heart Murmur

A heart murmur is a term used to described to hear an extra sound when a doctor listens to a patient’s heart. It is not a symptom, but may need further investigating. A murmur can be due to heart valve disease. The initial tests would be an ECG and echocardiogram. Further tests may be required.

Fainting or Syncope

Fainting is when you briefly black out. We call this syncope. There can be many different causes including some heart related reasons. To investigate the cardiac causes an ECG, echocardiogram and heart monitor many be required. Further tests may be needed.