What are the symptoms of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)?

Symptoms of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) are rarely seen in infants or young children. Symptoms of ARVD generally appear in teenagers or adults.

ARVD is a disorder that affects the muscles of the heart. The heart is divided up into four chambers, and in patients with ARVD, the right ventricle or left ventricle (the chambers responsible for pumping blood to the lungs or other parts of the body) is affected. Patients with ARVD undergo a progressive deterioration of muscle in the ventricle and the muscle is replaced by fat and scar tissue. This may eventually lead to enlargement of the ventricles in the heart.

Due to the deterioration of heart muscle, patients with ARVD typically experience arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms. Arrhythmia can lead to a slowing down of the heart, or a speeding up of the heart, which may feel like the heart is pounding or racing.

If an arrhythmia is more severe, it can affect the ability of the heart to pump blood, which might cause lightheadedness, breathlessness, fainting, nausea, or dizziness.

Chest pain (also called angina) may result when the heart's ability to pump blood becomes impaired. Chest pain usually results from a reduced flow of blood (ischemia) to heart muscle. In some cases, the chest pain may be severe and may feel like a heart attack.

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