Welcome to LeConte Cardiology Associates

The aorta is the main artery that carries blood out of the heart to the rest of the body. Aortic stenosis is a condition where the aortic valve does not open fully, usually because of a buildup of calcium deposits that narrows the valve. When this happens, the left ventricle of the heart has to work harder to pump blood, causing symptoms like chest pain, fatigue or shortness of breath.

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a problem with the heart’s electrical system. With an arrhythmia, your heart may beat to fast, too slowly, or irregularly. You may feel a sense of fluttering or palpitations, or have symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, low blood pressure or fainting.

Atherosclerosis thickening or hardening of the arteries. It is caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery.

Plaque is made up of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin. As it builds up in the arteries, the artery walls become thickened and stiff.

Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may start as early as childhood. However, it can progress rapidly.

Any disorder that affects the heart muscle is called a cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy causes the heart to lose its ability to pump blood well. In some cases, the heart rhythm also becomes disturbed. This leads to irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).

A type of chest discomfort caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart. It may be experienced as tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing pain or crushing chest pain. The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease, which is narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

Abnormalities in the heart’s structure and function that are caused by disordered or abnormal heart development before birth. While some abnormalities never cause any problems, many of these defects need to be followed carefully and require treatment such as medication or surgery. The most common congenital heart defect is a ventricular septal defect, a hole in the wall that separates the left and right ventricles of the heart.

A condition in which the heart is weak and has lost some ability to pump blood. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent coughing or wheezing, fatigue and swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen.

Narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the heart due to the buildup of plaque in the artery wall. CAD is the most common type of heart disease. The reduced blood flow to the heart can cause angina (chest pain) and heart attack and can contribute to heart failure and arrhythmias.

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. Blood pressure of 120 to 139 systolic (the top number in a reading) or 80 to 89 diastolic (the bottom number) is considered prehypertension. Blood pressure above 139 systolic or above 89 diastolic is considered high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), also known as Peripheral Vascular Disease, is a slow and progressive disorder of the blood vessels. Narrowing, blockage, or spasms in a blood vessel can cause PAD.

PAD may affect any blood vessel outside of the heart. This includes the arteries, veins, or lymphatic vessels. Organs supplied by these vessels, such as the brain or legs, may not get enough blood flow for healthy function. The legs and feet are most often affected.

Vascular conditions and diseases are conditions that affect your circulatory system. These could include blood disorders as well as diseases of arteries, veins and lymph vessels.