Systemic Disorders Affecting the Heart

Abstract

A multitude of systemic diseases can have significant effects on the heart (Table 18.1). Importantly, cardiac manifestations can be the first sign of the underlying systemic disease or represent a complication secondary to the primary systemic disorder. This chapter will focus on the most prevalent systemic autoimmune, inflammatory, infiltrative, infectious, and endocrinological diseases with common cardiac manifestations. These group of diseases are important to recognize as treatment of the underlying disease can often alleviate its cardiovascular manifestations.