Even though it may sound like it, congestive heart failure does not necessarily mean that the heart has failed. However, heart failure is a serious condition where the heart does not pump blood around the body efficiently. We depend on the pumping action of the heart to deliver nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to every cell… Read More »
A heart attack is the death of a segment of heart muscle caused by a loss of blood supply. The blood is usually cut off when an artery supplying the heart muscle is blocked by a blood clot. If some of the heart muscle dies, a person experiences chest pain and electrical instability of the… Read More »
Cholesterol is both good and bad. At normal levels, it is an essential substance for the body. However, if concentrations in the blood get too high, it becomes a silent danger that puts people at risk of heart attack. Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and has important natural functions when it… Read More »
Tachycardia refers to a fast resting heart rate, usually over 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia can be dangerous, depending on its underlying cause and on how hard the heart has to work. Some people with tachycardia may have no symptoms or complications. However, tachycardia significantly increases the risk of stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, and death.… Read More »
An arrhythmia describes an irregular heartbeat – the heart may beat too fast, too slowly, too early, or irregularly. Arrhythmias occur when the electrical signals to the heart that coordinate heartbeats are not working properly. For instance, some people experience irregular heartbeats, which may feel like a racing heart or fluttering. Many heart arrhythmias are… Read More »
Coronary heart disease refers to a narrowing of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply oxygen and blood to the heart. It is also known as coronary artery disease. It is a major cause of illness and death. Coronary heart disease (CHD) normally happens when cholesterol accumulates on the artery walls, creating plaques. The… Read More »
Stress, in everyday terms, is a feeling that people have when they are overloaded and struggling to cope with demands. These demands can be related to finances, work, relationships, and other situations, but anything that poses a real or perceived challenge or threat to a person’s well-being can cause stress. Stress can be a motivator.… Read More »
Strokes are brain attacks. They occur when the blood supply to the brain becomes blocked. A stroke is a medical emergency that needs immediate medical attention. Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States.. Nearly 800,000 people have a stroke each year. That equates to about one person every 40 seconds. This… Read More »
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted against the walls of the arteries as blood flows through them. In the United States, approximately 85 million people have high blood pressure – about 1 in every 3 adults over 20, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).… Read More »
Disclaimer Medical Dictionary is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Read more