Each time the heart beats, it sends a "wave" of blood through the arteries, and this "wave" can be felt as a pulse. A regular heart beat rate is called normal sinus rhythm. When the heart beats slowly and produces a low pulse rate of fewer than 60...
The heart normally beats in a rotating cycle of contraction and relaxation. This elegantly coordinated action is controlled by electrical impulses, which normally move across the heart with precision and reliability. When something goes awry with...
According to the American Heart Association, digoxin is used to treat arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation and mild to moderate congestive heart failure. Digoxin works directly on the heart muscle; it slows down the heart rate and also increases the...
Caffeine remains the most widely consumed drug. Present in chocolate and coffee, manufacturers also add the stimulant to sports and energy drinks. These beverages have become increasingly popular, especially with college students. According to...
The average healthy adult has a heart rate of about 70 beats per minute, or 100,800 beats each day. Many heart conditions such as bradycardia, tachycardia, heart attack, cardiogenic shock, valve disorders, high blood pressure, blood clots,...
An EKG, or electrocardiogram, measures the electrical activity of the heart through electrodes that are applied to the chest. These electrodes measure the amount of time it takes an impulse to travel through the atria, or upper chambers, then into...
