Heart

Cholesterol is necessary for our bodies to function, and it is found in every cell in our body. About 80 percent of the cholesterol in our bodies is manufactured by the liver, while the other 20 percent comes from the foods that we eat. However, a diet high in cholesterol can cause our bodies to make […]

The risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) increases with rising blood cholesterol levels. When blood cholesterol exceeds 220 ml/dl (milligrams per deciliter-the units blood cholesterol is measured in the United States), risk for CHD increases at a more rapid rate. All adults should have their blood cholesterol level measured at least once every five years. If your

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. One in four Americans has high blood pressure, and many of them are unaware of it. Although high blood pressure can usually be controlled with a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes and medication, most people with high blood pressure do not control

Of all the known modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease, cigarette smoking is the most significant. If current smoking patterns continue, more than 24 million people in the United States may die a premature death due to heart disease brought on by smoking, according to the American Heart Association. Still, it’s never too late

Heart attacks vary widely in the amount of damage caused and whether there are any complications. Some people may suffer a mild heart attack with no associated complications, which is called an uncomplicated heart attack. Others may suffer a more extensive heart attack with a wide range of complications. Fortunately, treatments can prevent or reduce

A variety of diagnostic tests can be performed to: Confirm that a heart attack has occurred Provide additional information that can guide treatment, and/or Determine the long-term outcome or prognosis in someone who has suffered a heart attack Some tests, such as sequential electrocardiograms or blood tests, are performed on all patients suspected of having

The term “heart attack” is often used to refer to signs and symptoms that result from the sudden blockage of blood flow to a portion of the heart. Without good blood flow, the heart does not receive enough oxygen and begins to die. People suffering a heart attack may experience symptoms such as chest pain,

Depending on which coronary artery is affected, and where it becomes blocked, different parts of the heart are damaged at the time of a heart attack. The right coronary artery carries blood to the right side of the heart (the right atrium and right ventricle) portions of the left side of the heart parts of

It’s sometimes hard to tell if chest pain is caused by a heart attack or another condition. For example, pain related to a heart attack is frequently mistaken for indigestion and can even be briefly and partially relieved with belching or antacids. Conversely, people with pain from gastroesophageal reflux (“heartburn”) frequently mistake their pain for

Although there is some overlap, care provided to a heart attack patient can be divided into three settings: Prehospital (outside the hospital and in the hospital emergency department) Hospital (inpatient care, including the coronary care unit) Convalescent (recovery and rehabilitation) Care provided in the prehospital and hospital settings focuses on: Relief of distress, including chest

Most patients suspected of having suffered an acute heart attack are admitted to a hospital’s coronary care unit (CCU). The CCU is intended to be a quiet, calm, and restful area in which patients can be further evaluated and closely monitored. A specially trained nurse who works with doctors and other members of the medical