What does SFCS mean in MEDICAL

Definition

Slow Flow Coronary Syndrome (SFCS) is a disease of coronary arteries, which are responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. This condition results from artery dysfunction whereby there is inadequate filling or less than ideal flow of blood through these vessels. Patients with this syndrome may present with chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness due to reduced pressure in their arteries. SFCS can cause significant incapacity if left untreated and thus requires proper management by a qualified physician.

Causes

The causes of slow flow coronary syndrome vary depending on individual risk factors but can include narrowed or blocked coronary arteries caused by atherosclerosis (narrowing of the walls of an artery), trauma or infection; spasms of the artery wall due to certain medications, hormonal imbalances, hormonal changes during pregnancy, or stress; abnormally high cholesterol levels (hyperlipidemia); diabetes; kidney disease; lack of exercise; smoking; family history; or genetics. People who have high blood pressure are also more at risk for developing this syndrome since increased arterial pressure can impede normal circulation. Additionally, certain congenital conditions such as Marfan Syndrome or sickle cell anemia increase one's risk for developing SFCS as well as vascular disorders like venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Signs And Symptoms

The primary symptom associated with slow flow coronary syndrome is low effort angina pectoris—which can manifest itself as chest pain upon exertion that medication does not improve—and it generally occurs when both diastolic and systolic pressures are below normal values measured on an echocardiogram or electrocardiogram test. Other signs may include shortness of breath when walking up inclines or stairs, difficulty breathing while exercising intensely, palpitations (irregular heartbeat/fluttering sensation in chest), dizziness/lightheadedness and fatigue earlier than usual when performing physical activity due to reduced cardiac output from insufficient oxygenation supplied by impaired circulation in the heart's vessels.

Diagnosis

If slow flow coronary syndrome is suspected based on symptoms observed during a thorough medical examination, doctors may prescribe various diagnostic tests including echocardiograms which measure cardiac output changes over time distinguished between systolic and diastolic pressures demonstrating any narrowing occurring within certain intervals; electrocardiograms assessed while resting and after exertion showing irregular wave patterns indicating possible blockages within vessel walls; computed tomography scans providing detailed imaging results depicting anatomical anomalies causing obstruction impeding circulation; myocardial viability tests uncovering areas of dead tissue caused by insufficient arterial nourishment; nuclear stress testing determining amount of remaining healthy myocardium functioning properly despite decreased underlying perfusion rates.

Treatment And Prevention

Treatment typically involves lifestyle modifications including modifying diet toward healthier whole foods low in saturated fats content plus regularly engaging in physical activities like walking briskly outdoors if able while preventing being sedentary promoting steady weight loss over time if body mass exceeds recommended limits determined per individual circumstances dependent upon age height gender etc., quitting smoking reducing alcohol consumption engaging relaxation techniques such as yoga when stress becomes excessive taking aspirin daily as prophylaxis against possible developing thrombus formation especially among patients presenting positive histories concerning any prior episodes experiencing episodes linked directly towards known triggers instigating spasms described previously among causes section hereinabove.