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Woman sitting on a chair in a room. She has both between her chest and throat. Her mouth is open slightly.

Cardiovascular system

The heart is a muscular, hollow organ located in the left chest. It pumps blood through the arteries and veins of the circulatory system. Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease can greatly impair our performance and quality of life. Acute cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes are the most common causes of death in Germany.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in the veins. The possible symptoms include tenderness, red skin or lower leg swelling.

Stroke

During a stroke some of the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. This causes sudden severe headaches, paralysis or slurred speech.

Sepsis

Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is an uncontrolled inflammatory reaction of the body to infections. It needs to be treated very quickly in hospital.

Heart attack

A heart attack is where a coronary artery becomes completely blocked so that part of the heart muscle is no longer receiving enough oxygen. Without immediate treatment there is an acute risk of death.

Coronary heart disease

With a coronary heart disease (CHD), the major blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen are constricted. Shortness of breath and chest pain are possible symptoms.

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Many people have high blood pressure. But it often goes unnoticed for a long time. Having blood pressure that is always too high increases the risk of having a heart attack, stroke or kidney problems.

Endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart)

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. Early treatment is important to avoid complications.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a congenital heart disease. It often causes no symptoms. However, it can sometimes be life-threatening.

Rheumatic heart disease

Auslöser der rheumatischen Herzkrankheit sind Streptokokken. Diese Bakterien verursachen akute Atemwegsinfektionen. In response, the immune system creates antibodies that may also attack and damage the heart.

Drop in blood pressure when standing up (orthostatic hypotension)

Orthostatic hypotension is a specific type of low blood pressure that normally occurs in older people. Dizziness and fainting are typical signs.

Acute myocarditis

Acute myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) can be a rare consequence of an infection. There are mild but also life-threatening forms.

High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)

Experts refer to cholesterol values in the blood that exceed a certain level as hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol. Excessively high levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

People with PAD have restricted blood vessels in their legs or, in rarer cases, their arms. A typical symptom is pain when walking, which subsides again when resting.

Broken heart syndrome

Broken heart syndrome refers to a disruption in the functioning of the heart muscle. It is often triggered by an emotionally stressfully event, such as the death of a loved one.

Pleural effusion

Pleural effusion is a build-up of fluid in the pleural space, i.e. the area between the lungs and the chest wall. Shortness of breath and chest pain are typical signs.

Dunbar syndrome

In Dunbar syndrome, a large blood vessel in the abdomen becomes compressed. It is a rare condition. Recurring stomach pains are a typical symptom.

Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium is important for bones, muscles, nerves and teeth. A balanced diet normally provides the body with sufficient quantities of magnesium. A magnesium deficiency is easily treated.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when part of the aorta in the abdomen stretches and bulges outward. It is usually harmless but, if it ruptures, it is a life-threatening emergency.

Aortic dissection

An aortic dissection occurs when blood penetrates the wall of the body’s main artery (aorta) through a tear, causing the lining of the aorta to split. Emergency surgery is often required.

Mitral valve insufficiency

Mitral valve insufficiency is the second most common heart valve disease in which the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle leaks.

Aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve. The aortic valve is the valve between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism is usually caused by the blockage of a lung artery, for example if a blood clot from circulating blood has got into the lung. It is an emergency.

Atrial fibrillation

If the heart beats too fast and palpitations frequently occur, this can be due to atrial fibrillation. The condition is not immediately life-threatening but can increase the likelihood of a stroke.

Angina (angina pectoris)

Angina pectoris produces sudden, sharp pain in the chest. The pain may occur in connection with physical exertion or stress but also when the body is at rest.

Atrioventricular block (AV block)

A cardiac arrhythmia like AV block is one reason for the heart to beat very slowly. It is caused by impaired conduction of electrical impulses in the heart. Read on for more information.

Non-specific physical disorders (functional somatic syndromes)

Many people experience persistent somatic symptoms with no clear medical cause. Functional somatic syndromes can be caused by stress and conflict.

Heart valve disease

Heart valve diseases refer to damage to the heart valves over a lifetime. These defects generally arise in older people due to wear and tear.

Heart palpitations (due to paroxysmal atrial tachycardia)

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia is when a person's heart suddenly beats very fast. It lasts for a few minutes and stops again just as quickly. The episodes are not necessarily dangerous.

Cardiac arrhythmia

Cardiac arrhythmias are common, especially in older people and in people with other heart problems. They don’t always need treatment.

Heart failure

In people with heart failure, the heart isn't able to pump enough blood around their body. Common signs are shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and exhaustion.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A transient ischemic attack often precedes a stroke. A TIA happens when part of the brain no longer gets enough blood supply. The symptoms are paralysis, visual impairment and slurred speech.

Varicocele

Varicose veins in the scrotum, also known as varicoceles, are not rare and can affect a man’s fertility.