Intravenous drug use allows the brain to receive the injected drug quicker than other methods, such as snorting or oral intake. This often offers an advantage for drug users, leading to enhanced sensations or a "rush" from rapid onset of the drug...
Leg lymphedema is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the leg. Lymphedema can be congenital, caused by absence of lymph nodes and vessel, or acquired later in life. Injury to the lymphatic system can cause acquired lymphedema, and it can occur...
Angioplasty is a procedure in which a small balloon is inflated inside the blood vessel to open it up. Angioplasty is sometimes combined with the placement of a stent. A stent is a small metal mesh tube that is placed on the outside of the balloon...
One in every 100 children in the United States suffers from a heart defect, according to the Cardiac and Vascular Institute. A total of 35,000 U.S. children are born each year with a present defect. Many defects, such as problems with the atrial...
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by the deer tick. The deer tick can also transmit bacterial co-infections such as Bartonella, Babesia and Ehrlichia. The bacteria cause a myriad of arthritic and neurological symptoms, in addition...
Several types of doctors diagnose and treat conditions related to the heart and vascular system. All are highly trained, having completed college, four years of medical school and a residency of, at minimum, three years that focuses on their...
Calcium channel blockers are used to aggressively treat blood pressure disorders. This class of medication inhibits the movement of calcium into electrically excitable tissue, including cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells. When you exercise,...
According to the National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, the majority of adults in the United States take one or more vitamins or other type of supplement every day. Supplements are available in a variety of forms including...
Around half of everyone older than age 50 experiences varicose veins, usually in the legs, according to MedlinePlus. However, as the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center states, 25 percent of men ages 30 to 40 also experience vein problems. Even if...
Exercising at 95 percent of your maximum heart rate is intense, and depending on your current fitness level, it may be impossible or unwise to do. Your maximum heart rate can be determined in two ways: by undergoing a cardiac stress test or by...
A doctor who specializes in issues of the heart is called a cardiologist. According to the American College of Cardiology, cardiologists are trained to find, treat and help prevent diseases that attack the blood vessels and the heart. Under the...
Spider veins are small yet enlarged blood vessels which may be unsightly or cause mild physical discomfort. Spider veins on the face can result from complications with blood flow due to skin damage, hormonal changes or substance use. Through...
Blood pressure is the force required to send blood through the arterial system to feed the body oxygen and nutrients. The top number is called the systolic pressure and the bottom number is called the diastolic pressure. The systolic number...
Dieting is a serious endeavor that requires conscientious effort and dedication. Just like any other challenge you face, there is a right way to approach a diet and a wrong way. Unfortunately, improper dieting can cause permanent damage to your...
Niacin is a dietary supplement that may help to lower your overall cholesterol levels if they are high. In his book, "The Most Natural Cures on Earth," Dr. Jonny Bowden, Ph.D and clinical nutrition specialist, recommends niacin as a "staple"...
Heart arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats, or heartbeats that do not coincide with a natural rhythm. They occur because electrical synapses in the heart do not coordinate properly. They manifest as an abnormally fast, slow or irregular pulse....
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, affects over half of all Americans over the age of 60, the University of Massachusetts Medical School reports. It has been called the silent killer since it can strike without warning. Victims have...
Pregnancy should be an exciting time during which you develop healthy exercise and nutrition habits. If you are pregnant and want to start or continue exercise, you should be able to if your pregnancy is normal and low risk. Take it slow and stop...
Your body makes an amino acid called L-carnitine in the liver and kidneys and uses it to turn fat into energy. Normally your body can make all the L-carnitine it needs, but some cardiac or vascular diseases can cause low levels of L-carnitine in...
Steady-rate exercise is cardiovascular exercise performed at a steady intensity for the duration of the training session. Endurance sports, such as distance running or cycling, use this type of exercise in training. The blood pressure response to...
Skeletal muscle contractions induce an increase in blood flow that is proportional to the metabolic demand of the tissue. This increase in blood flow is known as hyperemia. The hyperemic response to exercise is complex, involving regulation by...
Cardiac catheterization, also known as a coronary angiogram or cardiac cath, is considered an invasive imaging procedure. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a cardiac catheterization is used to determine coronary artery disease, valve disease or...
As medicine has improved and new conditions have been discovered, there's been a great demand for doctors who specialize in these conditions. The field with perhaps the greatest demand is the field of cardiology. Gone are the days of being...
There's no question that men and women have biological differences. Caffeine, a stimulant drug, may affect men and women differently as the body responds to the intake of the drug. How caffeine affects a woman's body compared to a man's body is...
Following tested principles and methods of diet and exercise in a healthy manner is an ideal way losing weight. Studies from the nationally accredited organizations of the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Dietetic Association and...
Planning with a little extra effort is the key when traveling as a senior. Here are some tips: 1. Each airline will have different accommodations for assisting elderly and disabled passengers. Check with your chosen airline to see what special...
Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against arterial walls. The normal blood pressure value of an adult male is approximately 120/80. The lower number represents diastolic pressure, or the pressure during ventricular relaxation, whereas...
There are three basic types of muscle tissue in the body: the skeletal muscle, which controls normal movement and posture; smooth muscle, which controls autonomic or unconscious activities such as digestion; and cardiac muscle, which is in the...
Cardiac output is a measure of how well your heart is functioning and it is calculated by physicians to ensure that your heart is working properly. Some conditions will cause your cardiac output to go above or below the average output. Several...
