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Cardiovascular Health : Health & Medical
Tests for High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of coronary artery disease, killing more than half a million people in the U.S. each year. The American Medical Association reports that reducing the population's cholesterol levels by as little as 10 percent could reduce the number of people who die of
Left Ventricular Assist Devices for Adults
Indications for the use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have increased substantially. In this Viewpoint, the authors discuss the role of LVADs as destination therapy.
Food to Eat to Lower Cholesterol
Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level is important, because high levels have been linked to heart disease. There are ultimately two ways to approach a cholesterol-healthy diet: reduce intake of high LDL cholesterol foods and increase intake of high HDL cholesterol foods.
Lowering Cholesterol Tips
If your cholesterol level is high, your doctor may want you to lower it through lifestyle changes before trying medication. Many factors affect your cholesterol level. Some you cannot change, such as age, gender and heredity. Others are within your control, such as weight, activity level and diet. B
Why Are There Widened Pulse Pressures With a PDA?
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart defect that is present at birth. At first, it may not cause any problems except for a heart murmur, or it may cause severe problems. If left untreated, it will lead to complications.
Impact of ACE Inhibition on Mortality in Hypertension Trials
Don't keep an 'ACE in the hole'. Use it first. Find out why.
Reversal of Left Ventricular Dysfunction Following Ablation of AF
The authors sought to determine the effect of pulmonary vein isolation on left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with AF and impaired left ventricular dysfunction?
Non-Exercise Ways to Raise HDL
Cholesterol is important to health. It is a component in the formation of bile acids, progesterone, estrogen, and vitamin D. It is also necessary to the healthy function of cell membranes. Cholesterol is carried in the bloodstream via HDL and LDL (high- and low-density lipoprotein). HDL is considere
Wireless Smartphone ECG Enables Large-Scale Screening
The ubiquitous presence of internet-connected phones and tablets presents a new opportunity for cost-effective and efficient ECG screening and on-demand diagnosis.
Pacing Features That Mimic Malfunction
Implantable cardiac device functions and important differences among algorithms that are most likely to mimic true malfunction in a clinical setting are reviewed.
Define Artery
Arteries, which are composed of three layers, are the strongest blood vessels in the human body. These vessels are elastic and muscular to accommodate the high pressure of the blood they carry. Blood that is oxygenated, or high in oxygen, is typically carried to the body tissues by arteries.
How to Read a 12-Lead EKG
An electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or or ECG, is used in the diagnosis and assessment of cardiac activities. Medical and health professionals should have an in-depth knowledge in the interpretation of ECGs. A 12-lead ECG examines the electrical activity of the heart from12 points of view, wh
History of Cholesterol Medicine
The history of cholesterol medication is very new. In the late 1960s, Japanese researchers discovered that certain organisms create chemicals that protect them from attack. This research was continued by Merck, the pharmaceutical company, that eventually isolated lovastatin from red rice yeast. Red
Heart Valve Complications
When the heart pumps blood, the blood flows from the atria to the ventricle. Between these two compartments are valves. The tricuspid valve is between the right atrium and ventricle, and the mitral valve is between the left atrium and ventricle. The pulmonary valve separates the right ventricle from
Cholesterol Levels in the Blood
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy type of fat produced by the liver and found in some high-fat foods like meats and dairy products. There are two types of cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) which is known as "bad cholesterol," and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) also called "good cholesterol." High
Stroke Prevention-Six Ways to Stay Stroke-Free
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and yet only a small fraction of Americans understands what they can do to optimize stroke prevention. This article provides you with six ways to improve stroke prevention in order to remain stroke-free for life.
Late Stroke Treatment Still Has Benefits
The clot-busting drug tPA works better the sooner it's given after stroke, but a new study shows the treatment can help even if given up to 4.5 hours later.
Coronary Angiography Imaging Procedures
Sophisticated imaging procedures can assess your heart function.medical image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.comCoronary angiography, or cardiac catheterization, is a procedure performed to diagnose coronary artery, or valve disease, test muscle function of the heart and determine the...
The Radiation Issue in Cardiology
Cardiologists are responsible for a large percentage of the radiation dose a patient may receive. In this commentary, the authors examine how the risk to patients--and physicians--can be mitigated.