Year: 2026

Atrial Flutter is a cardiac rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) where the atria activate in a fast, organized pattern. It is a supraventricular tachycardia, meaning it originates above the ventricles, usually within the atria. It is commonly encountered on electrocardiograms (ECGs) in emergency care, inpatient telemetry, and outpatient cardiology. It often overlaps clinically and mechanistically with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) in which the atria activate in a rapid, disorganized pattern. It is a clinical condition diagnosed primarily on an electrocardiogram (ECG). It is frequently encountered in emergency care, outpatient cardiology, perioperative medicine, and inpatient telemetry units. It matters because it can affect symptoms, cardiac function, and risks such as thromboembolism (blood clots traveling to organs).

Arrhythmia means an abnormal heart rhythm. It is a clinical condition and an electrocardiogram (ECG) finding rather than a single disease. It is commonly encountered in emergency care, inpatient telemetry, and outpatient cardiology. It ranges from benign extra beats to rhythms associated with stroke, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is a heart condition marked by sudden, usually reversible weakening of the heart muscle. It is a type of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy that often mimics a heart attack. It is commonly encountered in emergency and inpatient cardiology when patients present with acute chest pain or shortness of breath. It is frequently discussed alongside acute coronary syndrome because early evaluation can look similar.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle condition where the ventricles become stiff and fill poorly during diastole. It is a **cardiomyopathy** (a disease of the myocardium, or heart muscle) that primarily causes **diastolic dysfunction**. It is commonly encountered when evaluating **heart failure symptoms with a relatively preserved ejection fraction**. It often enters cardiology discussions alongside infiltrative diseases, arrhythmias, and unexplained right-sided congestion.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle condition where the left ventricle becomes abnormally thick. It is a structural cardiomyopathy (a disease of the myocardium, or heart muscle). It is commonly encountered in cardiology clinics, echocardiography labs, and inherited heart disease programs. It matters because it can affect filling, outflow, rhythm stability, and family screening decisions.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle condition where the main pumping chamber becomes enlarged and weaker. It is a **diagnosis/condition** within the broader category of **cardiomyopathies** (diseases of the heart muscle). It is commonly encountered in cardiology when evaluating **heart failure**, **arrhythmias**, or an enlarged heart on imaging. It often prompts questions about causes, family risk, and long-term monitoring.

Diastolic Dysfunction is a condition describing impaired filling of the left ventricle during diastole (the relaxation phase of the heartbeat). It is a physiologic and structural heart problem rather than a symptom by itself. It is commonly encountered in echocardiography reports and heart failure evaluations. It often appears in clinical contexts such as hypertension, aging, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease.

Systolic Dysfunction is a condition where the heart’s pumping phase is weaker than expected. It is a functional cardiac abnormality, not a symptom by itself, though it often causes symptoms. It is commonly discussed in heart failure (HF), cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, and valvular disease. It is most often identified on cardiac imaging, especially transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Right Heart Failure is a clinical condition in which the right side of the heart cannot pump effectively. It is a type of heart failure syndrome, not a single disease, and it reflects impaired right ventricular function and/or excessive load on the right ventricle. It is commonly encountered in cardiology, pulmonary hypertension care, intensive care, and perioperative medicine. It often presents through signs of systemic venous congestion, such as swelling and elevated neck veins.