Conditions We Treat

No matter your type of heart disease, count on OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute specialists for expertise throughout Illinois. Whether you need advanced care or ongoing monitoring, lean on us every step of your journey to better cardiovascular health.

Congenital Heart Defects

Heart problems you’re born with can affect the structure of your heart and how it works. They include:

Atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD)
Ebstein anomaly
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
Patent foramen ovale (PFO)
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
Tricuspid atresia and pulmonary atresia

If your doctor recommends treatment, ask for a referral to the congenital heart disease experts at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Your coronary arteries supply blood and oxygen to your heart. If they fill up with plaque (fat), your heart no longer gets enough oxygen, causing CAD. If left untreated, CAD can cause chest pain, shortness of breath and even a heart attack. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medications or interventional cardiology treatment.

Heart Failure

Problems in your heart or its arteries make it harder for your heart to pump blood. When the heart can’t do its job well enough, you have congestive heart failure (CHF). You likely feel weak, tired and short of breath. Learn how to manage the condition with our support and treatment for heart failure.

Heart Rhythm Conditions (Arrhythmias)

Arrhythmia means your heart beats too slow, too fast or irregularly. Cardiac arrhythmia types include:

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – Rapid and irregular heartbeat due to a problem in the heart’s upper chambers (atria)
Atrial flutter – Fast heartbeat but with a steadier rhythm than AFib
Sinus bradycardia – Slow heart rate
Ventricular tachycardia – Fast heartbeat due to unusual electrical signals in the heart's lower chambers (ventricles)

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in electrophysiology. This physician is an expert in your heart’s electrical signals, which control its rhythm.

Valve Conditions

Valves control the flow of blood through your heart. Over time, they can narrow, stiffen or stop fully closing when they should. You may receive a diagnosis of:

Aortic insufficiency – Failure of the aortic valve to close all the way, letting blood leak backward into the heart
Aortic stenosis – Narrowed aortic valve that restricts blood flow from the heart to your body
Mitral valve prolapse and mitral valve regurgitation – Failure of a valve to fully close, letting blood leak backward into the heart

When you let valve specialists from OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute and its network of clinics treat your condition, you can look forward to relief from symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Learn Your Risk

Take a quick assessment to discover your risk factors for heart disease.

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