Arterial plaque formation, or atherosclerosis, occurs as a result of a combination of genetic, dietary and lifestyle factors. While the amount and types of fats in your diet might determine whether you develop plaque, other components in your...
Angioplasty is a form of treatment for coronary heart disease -- where your heart's arteries are blocked -- known as interventional cardiology. Interventional cardiology procedures involve the insertion of a thin tube known as a catheter to open...
Infective endocarditis is a serious condition caused by an infection on a valve of the heart. The cause of the infection is presumed to be related to systemic seeding of the blood by bacteria that usually are present in the body on the teeth,...
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal (Lokkegaard, et al EHJ, Sept. 30, 2008) brings to light new information regarding hormone replacement therapy and risk of myocardial infarction. Previously, studies have shown that HRT is...
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...
Ventricular septal defects are the most common congenital heart defects found in children. The defect is a simple communication in the muscle between the two lower chambers of the heart. A report published in 2002 by Hoffman and Kaplan in the...
A very common cause of a poor night's sleep is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is characterized by a disordered breathing pattern during sleep that results in a temporary cessation of respiration and repeated cycles of partial awakening....
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...
Pacemakers are inserted to help regulate the heart’s electrical system. If the heart rate is too slow patients can experience dizziness, trouble breathing and can even black out; in extreme cases, their heart can stop. A pacemaker...
The blood flow into the kidney is carried from the aorta to the renal artery. As atherosclerotic plaque builds up in the aorta it will extend into the renal artery and slowly decrease the diameter of the artery at its origin. As this process...
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a very common heart valve disorder. The condition is present in almost 5 percent of adults over the age of 75. AS is the narrowing of the valve leading out of the heart. The most common reason is calcification of the valve...
It is very common for people to get palpitations. The term covers a myriad of conditions which can range from irregular or fast heartbeats to cardiac emergencies. As a practicing cardiologist, I hear patients from age 15-95 describe symptoms...
Chest pain that develops at rest is a bad sign. This can be the beginning of a life-threatening emergency. Several things can cause chest pain. A few of them are can be fatal if they go untreated. The sudden onset of pain that is associated with...
It is recommended to screen men for elevated cholesterol in their mid to late 30s and women in their mid to late 40s. If you have a strong family history of heart or vascular disease, seek a screening at an earlier age. When your doctor orders a...
The No White at Night Diet Plan, also known as the Three-Rule Diet, is a weight loss plan that was developed by a cardiology specialist in order to help his patients lose weight and keep it off. The No White at Night Diet is centered on three...
Poor circulation can trigger lethargy and cold skin as well as hypertension, and a number of conditions may cause it. Your physician may suggest a variety of treatments, but you can consume vitamins and other supplements to benefit blood...
Many employers implement workplace wellness programs that encourage employees to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Such programs may include incentives for healthy behaviors like exercising or losing weight, and/or penalties for unhealthy behaviors...
