Pacemakers
Here is a brief description of pacemakers - what they do, how they are inserted, and what it means to have one. (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - April 26, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Postpartum Cardiomyopathy
On rare occasions, pregnancy can lead to a condition called postpartum cardiomyopathy, or pregnancy-associated heart failure.
Women who develop postpartum cardiomyopathy experience the onset of heart failure either during the last month of pregnancy, or within five months of delivering a baby. These women have no prior underlying heart disease, and no other identifiable reason to develop heart disease. Their heart failure can be a temporary, self-limited condition, or can progress to severe, life-threatening heart failure....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - April 22, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Should You Take Prophylactic Aspirin?
Aspirin, that commonly-used pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drug, can be useful in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke. But you should consider preventive treatment with aspirin only when, in your particular case, the likely benefits outweigh the risks....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - April 19, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Preventing Acute Coronary Syndrome
Preventing acute coronary syndrome - ACS - should be one of your chief concerns if you have been told you have coronary artery disease.
Acute coronary syndrome occurs when a blood clot suddenly forms within a coronary artery, causing acute blockage in the artery. ACS very often leads to unstable angina or a heart attack. In fact, ACS is what causes most heart attacks....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - April 15, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Statins and Cancer
Numerous reports have been published in the medical literature suggesting that the use of statins may be associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. Numerous other reports have said, in contrast, that statins have no effect on cancer risk. Given these conflicting medical studies, what do the experts currently say about statins and cancer?...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - April 12, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Cardiac Risk With Azithromycin (Zithromax Z-Pack)
A recent FDA warning, indicating that the popular antibiotic azitromycin (commonly known as Zithromax, or Z-Pack), may increase the risk of sudden death in some people, has been widely reported ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - April 8, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
More Evidence That Coffee Reduces Stroke Risk
This study enrolled over 82,000 Japanese adults, and followed them (along with their eating habits) for an average of 13 years. Green tea consumption - which is far more common in Japan than coffee consumption - was also associated with a reduced stroke risk. But to achieve the same 20% reduction in risk, four cups of green tea per day was required....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - April 5, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Premature Ventricular Complexes (PVCs)
PVCs are a common form of cardiac arrhythmia, and their significance can be confusing to both patients and their doctors. Read about PVCs, how to tell if they're medically significant, and how they are treated, here. (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - April 1, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Treating Vasovagal (Cardioneurogenic) Syncope
While many doctors refer to vasovagal (cardioneurogenic) syncope as "simple fainting spells," treating this condition sometimes can be anything but simple.
Here is a review of the treatment of vasovagal syncope. (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - March 29, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
For people who have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (Pots), merely standing up can produce severe symptoms. When upright, their heart rates increase to uncomfortable levels. While symptoms - most often lightheadedness and palpitations - may be only mild, they are often incapacitating....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - March 25, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Treating Cholesterol in Older People
As surprising as it may seem, treating elevated cholesterol levels in older people - those 65 years old or older - is still a matter of controversy among experts. How should high cholesterol be treated in older people? Should it be treated at all?...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - March 22, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Vasovagal (Cardioneurogenic) Syncope
Vasovagal - or cardioneurogenic - syncope is the most common variety of loss of consciousness. While doctors often refer to it as a "simple fainting spell," it is often not very simple, and is often misdiagnosed and suboptimally treated....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - March 18, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Treating Hypertension in Older People
Hypertension - high blood pressure - is at least as important in older people as it is in younger people. And it's at least as important that hypertension in older people be adequately, in order to prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, the treatment of hypertension in people above age 65 tends to be quite a bit trickier than it is in younger people....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - March 15, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Postprandial Hypotension
Postprandial hypotension is a type of orthostatic hypotension in which the drop in blood pressure that occurs upon standing is greatly exaggerated after eating a meal. People who have postprandial hypotension will experience lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness or even passing out when they stand up after eating. The condition may last for 30 - 60 minutes after a meal....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - March 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
Mitral Stenosis
Mitral stenosis is relatively uncommon heart valve abnormality that can cause significant cardiac problems if it is not treated appropriately. In mitral stenosis, the mitral valve becomes thickened and immobile, and does not completely open as a result. When this occurs, the blood tends to back up in the left atrium, leading to increased pressure in the chamber. Over a long period of time, significant problems can result....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Heart Disease)
Source: About.com Heart Disease - March 8, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: blogs
