What is pericardiocentesis? Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to drain excess fluid from the heart's protective sack (pericardium). Pericardiocentesis is an invasive procedure to remove fluid from the protective sac (pericardium) around the heart. Pericardium is a thin, two-layered sac with a small amount of fluid. Pericardiocentesis is a procedure by which excessive pericardial fluid (pericardial...
Catheter ablation or cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure Catheter ablation or cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat abnormal heart rhythms. During this procedure, the doctor may destroy tiny areas in the heart that are firing off abnormal electrical impulses and causing abnormal heart rhythms. The patient may be...
What is a pacemaker? The most common use of pacemakers is the treatment of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). A pacemaker is a tiny device (not more than the size of a small matchbox), placed in the chest or abdomen, that sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscles for maintaining a suitable heart rate. It...
What are swollen feet? It is not uncommon to get swollen feet, especially if you’ve been walking or standing for long periods of time. There are times, however, where swelling of the feet can be a sign of something more serious. It is not uncommon to get swollen feet, especially if you’ve been walking or...
What does synchronized electrical cardioversion mean? Cardioversion is typically used to terminate a life-threatening or unstable tachycardic arrhythmia. Synchronized electrical cardioversion is a medical procedure in which an electric current is passed through a person’s chest to convert abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) to normal heart rhythm. The direct current (DC) shocks to the heart has...
A diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of somewhere between 60 and 90 mm Hg is good in older people. Causes of low DBP include bed rest, dehydration, loss of water, alcohol use, hormone deficiencies, allergic reactions, nutritional deficiencies and prolonged standing leading to blood pooling in the legs. A decrease in your diastolic blood pressure (DBP)...
A weak erection is a symptom of erectile dysfunction. Medically, a weak erection is also referred to as erectile dysfunction. The erection of the penis depends on many factors, such as the person’s age, overall health, hormone levels, nerves, blood flow, mental status, and emotions. A weak erection results when these factors get affected. The...
A high diastolic reading (equal to or greater than 120 mmHg) is linked to a higher risk of disease involving the large artery called the aorta that carries blood and oxygen from the heart to distant body parts. People with an elevated diastolic reading are more prone to develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm (ballooning in...
Causes of HCM include genetic defects. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition in which heart muscle becomes thickened affecting its function. Causes of HCM include genetic defects. Researchers are still learning why some people with genetic changes develop the disease and others don’t. Younger people are likely to have a more severe form of hypertrophic...
What is an ankle-brachial index? Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) can indicate arterial disease, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or atherosclerosis. An ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) or ankle-brachial index (ABI) is the ratio of the systolic (upper) blood pressures (BP) of the ankle to the upper arm (brachium). Ankle BP is indicative of arterial disease. Lower ankle...