Structural Heart Disease: Set Your Mind on a Healthy Heart

Whether you were born with a structural heart disease or developed a problem later in life, you can count on ProMedica's skilled and compassionate team for the best possible care. We'll work with you, your family and other specialists when needed, to ensure you get high quality, coordinated and personalized treatment.

Our Approach

The ProMedica Structural Heart Clinic is staffed by a team of expert cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists and cardiac imaging specialists — all dedicated to diagnosing and treating patients with structural heart disease.

Our multidisciplinary approach focuses on collaboration. This has made us the largest and most experienced structural heart team in the Toledo region. Together, we offer a wide range of structural heart therapies and provide patient care that’s tailored to you.

Your goal is our goal: We want to help you improve your heart health.

Understanding Structural Heart Disease

Structural heart disease is a general term used to describe conditions that involve damage to, or flaws in, the anatomy of the heart. It’s different from coronary heart disease, which is caused by plaque in the arteries. Common structural heart disease conditions include, but aren’t limited to:

• Aortic coarctation.
• Aortic dilatation or aneurysm.
• Aortic valve stenosis.
• Atrial septal defect (ASD).
• Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
• Left atrial occlusion.
• Mitral regurgitation (both degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation).
• Mitral stenosis.
• Paravalvular leaks.
• Patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Know the Risk Factors

Most types of structural heart disease can’t be prevented since it’s something you’re likely born with. However, you could be at increased risk for developing structural heart disease due to:

• Age: As you get older, you become more prone to heart conditions.
• Family history: Structural heart disease can run in families, and genetic factors can raise your risk.
• Previous heart issues: High blood pressure, rheumatic fever, atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, an earlier heart attack or congestive heart failure can damage the heart.

If your structural heart disease is the result of other cardiac problems, managing your existing health conditions can help prevent more damage to your heart.

Find Fast Accurate Diagnosis

Structural heart disease can be difficult to detect in adults, especially since most adult patients don’t seem to experience symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they would likely feel like:

• Chest tightness.
• Dizziness.
• Fatigue.
• Heart palpitations or flutters, skipping beats or racing heart beats.
• Trouble with exercise or day-to-day activities.

Diagnostic Tests

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of structural heart disease, your doctor may recommend a series of tests, including:

• A physical exam.
• An echocardiogram or ultrasound.
• A cardiac catheter of the heart.
• CT scan.
• MRI.