The heart is a muscular pump. When a person experiences a heart attack, a portion of the heart muscle is damaged, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain that can radiate, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sweating. One way of...
Knowledge of cardiac enzymes when used appropriately saves lives. These enzymes, also called cardiac markers, are substances found either exclusively or predominantly in the heart. When the heart is damaged or in distress, such as during or after...
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, is typically caused by a complete blockage of one or more of the arteries supplying blood to your heart. The interruption in blood flow causes damage to that part of the heart, which can be...
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart. Chest pain is a common symptom with pericarditis that can mimic the pain seen with heart attacks. Distinguishing pericarditis from a heart attack requires...
There are blood tests which can be done to attempt to identify damage to the heart. One of these tests measures the levels of a number of different proteins that can be present in higher quantities when the heart muscle has been damaged. Elevation...
Blood tests called heart damage markers, or cardiac enzymes, detect injury to the heart muscle by displaying an increase in normal levels. The blood test most commonly used called creatine kinase, or CK for short, confirms the existence of heart...
As a muscle that expends energy, the heart requires its own supply of blood, just like the tissues to which it pumps blood. Blood carries oxygen, which is used to make ATP in cells. The ATP is an energy source required for muscular contraction. If...
Creatine is naturally synthesized in your muscles from amino acids and used to regenerate energy during intense short-duration activities. No large clinical trials have confirmed the effect of creatine supplementation during heart disease, but...
When the heart suffers injury or damage such as occurs after a heart attack, it releases certain enzymes into the bloodstream, according to Smart-Heart-Living.com. The blood levels of these enzymes can be measured with simple blood tests. When...
The term "muscle enzymes" refers to what medical professionals call cardiac enzymes. The muscle enzyme test is one of a number that a doctor may order for someone suffering from chest pain, shortness of breath, profuse sweating, unexplained...
The American Heart Association estimates approximately 785,000 Americans will have a heart attack in 2010. With the signs and symptoms of a heart attack varying widely, it is imperative for physicians to have a multitude of ways to diagnose...
When you suffer a heart attack, medically termed a myocardial infarction, damage occurs to certain parts of your heart muscle, weakening its ability to pump. Damaged muscle allows enzymes to leak from the muscle into your bloodstream. Testing your...
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and, according to 2010 information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year about 785,000 Americans suffer a first heart attack, while another 470,000 who have...
Cytotec, known also by the generic name misoprostol, is a synthetic prostaglandin used to prevent NSAID-induced ulcers. Patients taking NSAIDs---nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs---are at increased risk of ulcers because NSAIDs damage stomach...
Enzymes are central to every biochemical process occurring in your body. Enzymes are catalysts, which means they speed up chemical reactions in your body, sometimes by a factor of a million times or more, according to Biology Reference. You...
Chest pressure while exercising can have a number of causes. One of the most concerning causes of intermittent chest pressure is related to the functioning of your heart. If the pain only comes on during exertion and stops after discontinuing...
A sternal fracture is a cracked or broken sternum often caused by an injury; the fracture is commonly seen in vehicle accidents when the steering wheel hits the driver's chest. The sternum, or breast bone, is the long vertical bone in the center...
Sharp pain in the sternal wall chest while exercising can be unnerving. The location of the pain can be used to identify what organ system may be causing your pain. The heart lies directly behind the left side of the sternum. Most of the time,...
Jaw pain and chest pressure are two of the classic signs of a heart attack, although the American Heart Association notes that jaw pain as a heart attack symptom is more likely to appear in women. Jaw pain and chest pressure can also indicate a...
Enzymes are proteins that function to break down other molecules and speed up chemical reactions in the body. Each type of enzyme is highly specific, functioning in a particular way or acting on a certain molecule. Liver and muscle enzymes are...
Blood tests for cardiac problems measure muscle enzymes and other substances released into the blood when there is heart damage. Increased levels of the cardiac biomarkers diagnose and monitor the course of heart attacks and heart failure. Doctors...
Acid reflux is an uncomfortable phenomenon that you may experience either occasionally as a result of certain types of food, or on a regular basis. You may have heard that taking supplemental papaya enzymes can help prevent or treat symptoms of...
Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system and can raise heart rate. Moderate caffeine consumption can elevate heart rate up to three beats per minute. This can be beneficial for athletes, dieters and those who are hypotensive. If you...
The Chinese wolfberry, also known as goji berry, contains more than 15 percent protein, 21 minerals and 18 amino acids. This popular and nutrient-dense superfood has been the subject of much interest for its high antioxidant content and other...
Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) is a medication used in conjunction with diet modification to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Lipitor is also used to help prevent cardiovascular disease in...
Orange roughy is a fish with bright red scales that turn black to match the color of the cold waters of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans to hide from predators. The commercial exploitation of orange roughy for its culinary value in recent...
A balanced diet that consists of varied foods is important to provide all the essential nutrients your body requires for good health. Vitamins and minerals are important catalysts and compounds for cell and tissue synthesis, red blood cell...
Who'd have guessed the modest sardine would turn out to be one of the healthiest fish you could eat? Sardines are typically eaten as a topping on toasted crackers and with other appetizers such as bruschetta. You can also find them in many Spanish...
Heartburn is uncomfortable, and particularly if you suffer from it on a regular basis, you might be interested in finding a non-pharmaceutical treatment for the symptoms. While you might have heard that plant enzymes--like papaya enzyme--can...