A narrowing of the arteries caused by atherosclerosis (fat deposits in the arteries) can cause a person to suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is a condition in which the arms and legs do not receive adequate blood flow, and can...
A coronary calcium scan, also known as a heart scan, measures the amount of calcium deposited in the arteries of your heart. The more coronary calcium you have, the higher your levels of plaque, which may lead to atherosclerosis, or the hardening...
A thallium exercise stress test is an invasive, nuclear scanning tool to see how well blood flows to the heart muscle during rest and exercise. Heart images are taken at rest and immediately following exercise via a gamma camera. The images gather...
The two carotid arteries--one on either side of the neck--carry blood from the heart to the brain. As with all arteries, the carotids are subject to the build-up of plaque, a fatty substance that sticks to the artery walls. If enough plaque builds...
The calcium score test is a noninvasive procedure using computed tomography to measure the quantity of calcium deposits in the heart, especially deposits in the coronary arteries. An increase in deposits contributes to narrowing in the arteries...
Normally, your kidneys screen impurities from your bloodstream. The result of this process is the removal of waste materials and excess fluid in the urine. Occasionally, infections, injuries and disease hamper the ability of the kidneys to perform...
Diastasis recti is an issue with the abdominal muscle. When diagnosed by your health provider, it means that the left and right side of your main abdominal muscle, the rectus abdominis, has separated. While this is common in pregnant women, it's...
Levels of cholesterol, a form of fat in the body, are routinely used by your physician to assess your risk of cardiovascular disease. High levels of certain types of cholesterol correspond to greater deposition of fat along blood vessel walls....
The carotid artery runs along the neck and carries oxygenated blood to the brain and head. Carotid artery disease causes blockages due to aneurysms, a blood clot or thrombus, or due to emboli or clots that break off from other areas of the body...
Life Line Screening is a company located in Independence, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The firm began performing cardiac and other types of ultrasound screening for preventative health purposes in 1993. To date, Life Line has screened more than 6...
According to Self Growth, around 60 percent of Americans are overweight and 20 percent are obese. More than ever the focus is on ways to lose weight safely and naturally. Michael Castleman writes in his book "Blended Medicine" that homeopathic...
Cholesterol, a component of all cell membranes, is primarily produced by the liver and absorbed through the intestine into the bloodstream from your diet. Diets with increased levels of saturated fats raises blood cholesterol and decreased amounts...
Cardiac testing procedures are used to determine how the heart is functioning and diagnose any heart conditions. According to the American Heart Association, or AHA, there are both non-invasive and invasive testing procedures. The AHA states that...
Arterial blood gases, or ABGs, are analyzed to answer several clinical questions in the management and diagnosis of diseases of the respiratory system. They help determine if gas exchange is normal, if the patient is retaining carbon dioxide, if...
Cholesterol is a wax-like substance that is present in every cell in your body. Cholesterol is an important part of body function. Without proper amounts of cholesterol in your body, various physiological processes would be interrupted. Too much...
Cholesterol screening is important because high cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Many Americans have high cholesterol levels due to diet and lifestyle. Without screening, most people would never know their levels are...
Surgery on the kidney is done for many reasons, such as transplants, removal of the kidney (nephrectomy) and on the adrenal glands situated on the kidney. Surgery always has risks of complications due to its invasive nature, and the kidney offers...
Understanding how your heart responds to physical stress such as exercise is an important indicator of your health. If your doctor suspects you have a serious heart problem, he may recommend a treadmill test to measure your heart function during...
