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...
An ECG treadmill test, also called a stress test, checks for changes in heart function during physical stress. ECG treadmill tests are typically performed in a testing lab and take about 60 to 70 minutes to complete. The results, which are usually...
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...
Laboratory blood tests can help doctors to diagnose problems in their patients. While there is no such thing as a "standard blood test," there are several common blood test panels that your doctor may recommend. These can be ordered as part of a...
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...
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...
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a portion of your heart is cut off. In most cases, reports the Lab Tests Online website, a blood clot is responsible for this reduced blood flow, and most clots develop in areas where atherosclerosis --...
A heart attack can occur without typical symptoms. Silent heart attack is also referred to medically as silent ischemia (lack of oxygen) to the heart muscle. Symptoms can be so mild that the heart attack goes unrecognized. There may be no symptoms...
Cholesterol is a fatty, wax-like substance in the blood. Cholesterol is manufactured by the liver and found in a variety of foods, including butter, eggs and meat. Some cholesterol is required for the body to function properly. However, too much...
If you feel that you or someone you know is suffering from symptoms of a heart attack, it's important to communicate this information to health care professionals by calling ahead to a hospital or emergency room. These symptoms may include pain or...
Heart disease can be very serious due to the heart's critical function in providing blood and oxygen to the rest of the body. Because the heart is relatively unable to heal, scientists have developed tests to attempt to identify heart disease...
If your doctor has ordered a stress test, you will be exercising on a treadmill -- right in the middle of the exam room. A stress test is designed to measure the activity of your heart as you exercise. Your heart rate is measured, which can help...
The body performs myriad chemical reactions in order to support itself. Many of the chemical reactions are assisted by enzymes. An enzyme is a type of protein that acts like a machine to change the structure of molecules. Some tissue types have a...
Cholesterol is not your body's enemy but rather an asset, aiding in cell formation and hormone production. Your liver produces the exact amount your body requires; any excess amounts come from the foods you eat and lack of physical activity, as...
The heart is a vital organ in the body, and lately, more attention has been given to the importance of its health. Heart rate variability (HRV) can change during rest and during exercise. Recent research shows that exercise can be beneficial in...
A high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), or bad cholesterol, is one of four major risk factors for developing coronary heart disease. Too much bad cholesterol in your blood leads to buildup and blockage in the arteries leading...
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...
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...
Measuring the amount of cholesterol in your blood is one important step in determining your risk of coronary artery disease and its complications, including heart attack. High cholesterol increases your risk of coronary artery disease. However,...
Triglyceride makes up various fats and oils and comprises the main form of both dietary fat and storage fat in the body. High levels of triglycerides in the blood mean a higher risk of heart disease. People can lower the level of triglyceride and...
Triglycerides, a type of fat, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a waxy substance, act similarly in your bloodstream. They tend to clog your arteries, making it difficult for oxygen-rich blood to travel to your heart and other vital organs....
Knowing what your cholesterol levels are, particularly your HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations, is critical for helping you understand your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Poor cholesterol levels make you more likely to have a heart...
Numbness between the shoulder blades may signal a serious medical condition such as a heart attack or pinched nerve and should be treated as a medical emergency. While other symptoms typically are present when you undergo a serious health threat,...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, this is considered the top cause of death in the world. Many factors such as a high cholesterol diet and obesity may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Simple changes...
Coronary arteries carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart, fueling the heart muscle. If disease or constriction of those arteries stops a healthy flow of blood, it can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle or a heart attack. The American...
Cholesterol is the waxy substance your body uses to make cell tissues, protect nerves and produce hormones. Lipoproteins transport cholesterol in the body. High-density lipoproteins absorb cholesterol and transport it to the liver to break it down...
High blood cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, has an established reputation of increasing heart disease risk. Yet as infamous as it may be, cholesterol is a lipid your body needs to remain healthy. It serves as a component of cell membranes, as...
A panic attack is a recognized medical condition where you experience a sudden episode of intense fear and dread for no apparent reason. The attack results in several physical reactions that can make you feel like you are having a heart attack or...
Heart attacks may show signals of chest or upper body pain, but they can also start slowly with mild pain or discomfort, the National Heart Lung Blood Institute (NHLBI) notes. Some people are not sure of what their symptoms mean. People who have...
