Atrial Septal Defect is a congenital heart defect with an opening in the atrial septum (the wall between the right and left atria). It is an anatomic diagnosis that can cause abnormal blood flow (a shunt) between the atria. It is commonly discussed in cardiology, pediatrics, adult congenital heart disease, and cardiothoracic surgery. It is most often identified and followed using echocardiography as part of routine assessment or evaluation of symptoms.

A Septal Defect is an opening in the wall (septum) that separates the heart’s chambers. It is a structural cardiac abnormality within congenital heart disease and, less commonly, acquired disease. It is most often discussed in cardiology, pediatrics, adult congenital cardiology, and cardiothoracic surgery. It is commonly evaluated with echocardiography and hemodynamic assessment.

Congenital Heart Disease refers to structural or functional heart abnormalities present from birth. It is primarily an anatomic and developmental category of cardiovascular disease. It is commonly discussed in pediatrics, cardiology, cardiac surgery, and adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) care. It is evaluated using clinical examination and cardiac imaging such as echocardiography.

Rheumatic Heart Disease is chronic heart valve damage that can follow acute rheumatic fever. It is a cardiovascular disease process involving cardiac anatomy, especially the valves. It is most often discussed in clinical cardiology, internal medicine, pediatrics, and global health. It is commonly evaluated with physical examination and echocardiography.

Endocarditis is inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium), most often caused by infection. It is a cardiovascular disease entity centered on the cardiac valves and adjacent structures. It is commonly discussed in cardiology, infectious diseases, emergency medicine, and cardiothoracic surgery.

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, the muscular layer of the heart wall. It is a cardiovascular disease process that can affect pumping function and the cardiac conduction system. It is commonly discussed in emergency care, inpatient cardiology, and sports cardiology because it can mimic acute coronary syndrome and cause arrhythmias. It is evaluated using clinical assessment plus tests such as electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac biomarkers (for example, troponin), echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the fibroelastic sac that surrounds the heart. It is a cardiovascular disease entity that presents most often with acute chest pain and characteristic exam and electrocardiogram (ECG) features. It is commonly discussed in emergency care, inpatient cardiology, and outpatient follow-up due to recurrence risk. It is also a key differential diagnosis for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and other life-threatening chest pain causes.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy is a cardiomyopathy in which the ventricles become stiff and fill poorly during diastole. It is a disease concept in cardiovascular pathology and physiology, centered on abnormal myocardial compliance. It commonly presents as heart failure symptoms despite a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) that is often normal early on. It is frequently discussed in echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI), and hemodynamic assessment.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease defined by unexplained thickening (hypertrophy) of the myocardium, most often the left ventricle. It is a clinical diagnosis in cardiology that integrates anatomy, physiology, imaging, and risk assessment. It commonly appears in evaluations of chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, syncope, and abnormal electrocardiograms (ECGs). It is also a key topic in sudden cardiac death risk stratification and family screening.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle where the ventricles become enlarged and pump less effectively. It is primarily a myocardial disorder that often presents clinically as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). It is commonly discussed in cardiology when evaluating dyspnea, fatigue, edema, or new cardiomegaly on imaging. It is also a key diagnosis in arrhythmia risk assessment and advanced heart failure planning.