Potassium is an element that primarily functions in the body to keep a normal water balance between the cells and body fluids, according to the Colorado State University Extension. The Institute of Medicine daily potassium recommendations for most...
When it comes to a properly functioning heart, calcium plays an essential role. As with any nutrient, calcium has many different functions inside of the body. While most think of calcium only to help build bones, the role of calcium far outreaches...
Magnesium is an essential mineral nutrient that you get from your diet. Magnesium is the most abundant mineral in your body, 50 percent of which is found in your bones, but it is also found throughout nearly every tissue and organ. According to...
When you exercise, your heart rate as well as the volume of blood pumped by your heart will increase. According to researchers at Montana State University, the volume of blood pumped will level off when you reach 40 to 60 percent of your maximum...
All types of diabetes disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent, with the highest numbers of diagnosed patients in recorded history, according to Cardiology Today. Diabetes can lead to cardiovascular-heart and blood vessel-damage in several...
Imbalances of electrolytes such as magnesium and potassium adversely affect your heart. Calcium chloride helps alleviate the symptoms caused by high levels of magnesium and potassium in your blood, Drugs.com explains. Calcium chloride helps nerve...
Exercise affects the heart in a number of ways, and understanding what happens when you exercise may help you choose exercises or exercise programs and routines that offer the greatest benefits. The heart is a muscle: the more you exercise it, the...
Diabetes is a lifelong condition of hyperglycemia, which is an elevated blood glucose (sugar) level. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body. However, it requires insulin in order to be absorbed into the cells and utilized. When glucose...
The heart pumps blood to all parts of the body through the blood vessels. The force exerted by the circulating blood on the vessel walls is called blood pressure. "Fundamentals of Physiology: A Human Perspective" by Lauralee Sherwood states that...
The heart functions as the motor of the circulatory system, which consists of the heart, blood vessels and blood. The heart pumps approximately 2,000 gallons of blood through the body each and every day, according to the American Heart...
Acetyl-L-carnitine, also known as ALCAR, is a naturally occurring molecule that is found in your brain, liver and kidneys. Supplementing with ALCAR, however, may provide benefits that exceed what the body can provide. ALCAR's benefits affect the...
Acute heart failure is a medical condition that is characterized by a rapid arrival of symptoms. The signs are a result of reduced cardiac function, decreased ability of the heart to pump blood throughout the body, and the resulting congestion in...
The thyroid is a gland in the neck that is responsible for producing the thyroid hormone. This hormone circulates throughout the body and has many effects. The level of thyroid hormone within the body is strictly regulated to modulate and control...
Potassium is an essential electrolyte concentrated within the cells of your body. It affects the way neuromuscular cells discharge and regenerate energy. An imbalance in serum potassium levels impacts normal body functions. Hypokalemia, or low...
Potassium has several important functions in the body; however, too much potassium in the diet can be dangerous. According to the National Kidney Foundation, levels of potassium should ideally be 3.5 to 5 mEq/L. Potassium levels higher than 6...
Brain tumors are the most common solid tumor among children, according to the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital. Symptoms of brain tumors can vary depending on where the tumor is located, since different areas of the brain...
Potassium is necessary for muscle and nerve function in the body. Low potassium, or hypokalemia, can result in dangerous arrhythmias (heart rate abnormalities) and rhabdomyolysis (destruction of muscle tissue). Fortunately, the treatment for...
Ischaemic heart disease, also called ischaemic cardiomyopathy, describes a condition that’s characterized by a reduction in blood supply to the heart. The arteries that bring blood and oxygen to the heart become blocked from a buildup of...
An effective way of measuring cardiovascular fitness is monitoring heart rate. Heart rate can provide an idea of a target intensity and provide bio feedback on how the body is responding to exercise. Generally, as fitness increases, heart rate...
Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid used to alleviate heartburn, stomach upset and acid indigestion. The use of other medications and the presence of other medical conditions like heart disease and hypertension should be considered before sodium...
Testosterone is a powerful hormone that is involved with many different functions throughout the body. Testosterone is primarily linked with male sex characteristics, and triggers the growth of facial and body hair. The hormone also facilitates...
The meaty portabella mushroom is substantial enough to serve as a low-calorie main dish. If you're watching your intake of saturated fat and sodium, this robust, flavorful mushroom can be a tasty substitute for beef on sandwiches, salads or pasta.
T4 is the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland and is responsible for metabolic function and the body's energy production. A doctor will prescribe synthetic thyroid hormone for someone who has hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or who...
Astragalus is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used for thousands of years as a means to strengthen the body against various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, liver and heart disease. Astragalus appears to be safe, with very few side...
Acute renal failure, or kidney failure, is a sudden interruption of the kidney function due to an obstruction, decreased circulation or disease process. The kidneys' primary function is to eliminate waste products from the body through urine...
Ergonovine is a powerful smooth-muscle stimulant that induces the uterus and other smooth-muscle tissues to contract. Clinically, ergonovine is used to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth or an abortion. It also can be used to facilitate...
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is found in the mitochondria in cells. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, CoQ10 plays an important role in the production of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. ATP provides energy to the cells and aids in...
One of the most important benefits of aerobic exercise and fitness is a stronger heart, the Mayo Clinic says. The heart is a muscle and must be exercised regularly for optimal function. Strong and healthy hearts don't need to work as hard or beat...
An elliptical is a cardiovascular exercise machine used to boost cardiovascular capacity. Because the exercise does not involve your foot striking the ground, it serves as a lower-impact exercise than alternatives such as running or aerobics. This...
Congestive heart failure, or congestive cardiac failure, is the failure of the heart resulting from any structural or functional disorder. Learn more about congestive heart failure in this health video.
Heart failure, or congestive cardiac failure, is the failure of the heart resulting from any structural or functional disorder. Congestive heart failure is the result of many conditions or diseases; learn more about heart failure in this health...