Heart

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on heart attack. Heart Attack Guide: Part Two – Recovery, Rehabilitation, Medications, Exercise, Lifestyle Modifications, Depression  http://www.heartinfo.org American Heart Association (national office)  Phone: (800) AHA-USA1 Heart & stroke info  Phone: (888) MY HEART Women’s health info  http://www.americanheart.org Mended Hearts, Inc.  Phone: (214) 373-6300 http://www.mendedhearts.org/ National […]

Heart disease describes a variety of disorders and conditions that can affect the heart. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease. The word ‘coronary’ means crown, and it is the name given to the arteries that circle the heart like a crown. The coronary arteries supply the

Risk factors can be divided into two categories: Risk factors you can’t do anything about Risk factors you can do something about Need To Know: People who have more than one risk factor for coronary heart disease may be at much greater risk for CHD than people with no risk factors. For example, a person

In order to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), you first must identify what may be putting you at risk. Determine if you’re at risk by reviewing your lifestyle and diet. Ask your physician to check your blood cholesterol level. If you have only one uncontrollable risk factor, smoking or being overweight could make

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

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