What is Carcinoid Heart Disease?

The prevalence of carcinoid heart disease has increased in the past decade. It now affects more than two million people in the USA. Most patients have no symptoms. They experience abnormal heart rhythm, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat. However, the disease is difficult to diagnose because symptoms are unpredictable. In this article, we’ll look at the causes and symptoms of carcinoid cardiac disease. It also discusses treatment options.

First, carcinoid heart disease is caused by neuroendocrine tumors in the heart. These tumors are most common in the gut, and they are the cause of around 20% of all severe cases of heart disease. This condition affects the valves of the heart, most prominently the right-sided aorta. Surgery to repair the damaged valves may improve a patient’s prognosis.

Among the most common symptoms of carcinoid heart disease are valvular abnormalities, labile blood pressure, and pronounced hypertension. The blood pressure of patients with this condition depends on the relative concentrations of vasoactive substances in the circulation. In some cases, excessive serotonin levels can lead to tachycardia or hypertensive crisis. Transthoracic echocardiography is an important tool for confirming a diagnosis of carcinoid heart disease.

Although carcinoid heart disease is rare, patients with lung carcinoids are at risk for developing it. In the majority of cases, no cardiac symptoms may be present. In the rare cases where the tumours are located in the chest, symptoms of carcinoid heart disease include pulmonary regurgitation, hypoxia, and redness of the face. The only effective treatment for carcinoid heart disease is surgery.