What is a coronary angiogram? An angiogram is an X-ray image of blood vessels after they are filled with a contrast material. An angiogram of the heart, a coronary angiogram, is the “gold standard” for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). A coronary angiogram can be used to identify the exact location and severity...
Atrial flutter definition and facts Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Atrial flutter is a health condition (arrhythmia) where the atria of the heart as an electrical problem (a re-entry loop) that causes the atria to beat at a rapid rate of about 242 – 360 beats per minute (bpm). Atrial flutter is a condition...
What is the definition of homocysteine? What is it? Alcohol can raise homocysteine blood levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by the body by chemically altering adenosine. Amino acids are naturally made products, which are the building blocks of all the proteins in the body. Most labs report normal ranges of homocysteine as about...
Implantable cardiac (cardioverter) defibrillators facts Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can prevent death from cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest due to life-threatening fast heart rhythms is the most common cause of death in the United States. ICDs are implanted in the chest in a manner similar to that of pacemakers. ICDs deliver electrical pulses or shocks to...
Electron Beam (Ultrafast) CT (EBCT) Introduction EBCT, also called calcium-score screening heart scan, is a test used to detect calcium deposits found in atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries of heart disease patients. State-of-the-art computerized tomography (CT) methods, such as this one, are the most effective way to detect coronary calcification from atherosclerosis, before symptoms...
What is claudication? Pain and cramping in the legs is the main symptom of claudication. Claudication is pain and/or cramping in the lower leg due to inadequate blood flow to the muscles. The pain usually causes the person to limp. The word "claudication" comes from the Latin "claudicare" meaning to limp. Claudication typically is felt...
Aortic valve stenosis definition and facts Readers Comments 41 Share Your Story Aortic stenosis is narrowing of the aortic valve, impeding delivery of blood from the heart to the body. Aortic stenosis can be caused by congenital bicuspid aortic valve, scarred aortic valve of rheumatic fever, and wearing of aortic valve in the elderly. Aortic...
Swollen feet and ankles are often signs of an underlying disease or medical condition, such as dependent swelling (edema), pregnancy, medications, injuries, diseases (congestive heart failure, alcoholism, and liver failure), infections, lymphedema, blood clots (for example, deep vein thrombosis [DVT]), varicose veins, and others.Source: Getty Images Swollen feet and ankles definition and facts Readers Comments...
What is atrial flutter, and what is atrial fibrillation (definitions)? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Atrial flutter is a type of atrial tachycardia that results in an arrhythmia (rhythm disorder or not a normal rhythm) where the atria of the heart beat too quickly in a fast, usually regular, rhythm. Atrial fibrillation is another...
What is angina? What does it feel like? Readers Comments 4 Share Your Story Angina is a condition characterized by chest pain, sometimes severe, that is caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart. Angina (angina pectoris) describes the pain, discomfort, ache, or other associated symptoms that occur when blood flow to heart muscle...