A heart in its weakened state is termed heart failure. Debilitating symptoms arise when the heart can no longer pump blood to tissues adequately. This is referred to as congestive heart failure or CHF. Primarily a disease of the elderly, the...
Left side heart failure develops when the left ventricle, the lower chamber of the heart, weakens and pumps less efficiently than it should. The normal amount of blood isn't pumped with each beat and blood backs up, first into the left atria, the...
There are numerous signs and symptoms associated with ischemic heart disease. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, ischemic heart disease, also known as ischemic cardiomyopathy, is...
The left ventricle of the heart pumps nutrient-rich blood from the heart to the body. When it fails, cardiac output is decreased and the lungs become congested. Symptoms include weakness, decreased urine output during the day, dizziness, rapid...
In the seated chest press, you bend your elbows and grasp a resistance band or a weighted bar positioned at the same height as your nipples. You then push the bar or band away from you and return to the starting position in a controlled manner....
Coreg is a prescription medication containing the drug carvedilol. Coreg is indicated for treatment of heart failure and high blood pressure. It is also indicated for patients who have an inadequately functioning left ventricle following a heart...
Potassium is a mineral necessary for nerve and muscle functioning, particularly the muscles of the heart. Low levels of potassium, called hypokalemia, occur for many reasons. Normal blood levels of potassium range between 3.5 and 5.0...
Riding a bike is perhaps one of the best exercises to stay in shape. More than just a mode of transportation, your bicycle is a workout machine that develops and maintains your cardiovascular fitness and strengthens your leg muscles. An added...
An enlarged heart, or cardiomegaly, is a symptom of another medical condition; it is not a disease in itself. The condition is often treatable if therapy is directed at treating the underlying cause of the heart enlargement. Medications, surgery...
Captopril, the first angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or ACEI, has been replaced by enalapril, ramapril, lisinopril and others. These are the drugs of choice for three groups of patients: those who have heart failure, a decrease in left...
As a woman ages, her body approaches menopause and gradually decreases its production of the hormone estrogen. Medical procedures such as chemotherapy or surgical removal of the ovaries can cause a premature halt to estrogen production....
For thousands of years, people have used dry and wet saunas for therapeutic purposes. In his 1978 book, "Sweat," Mikkel Aaland traces the history of the sauna to ancient Greece and Finland, where it was championed for cleansing the body and...
Stroke volume, the amount of blood pumped from the left ventricle in one contraction, is higher in fit individuals compared to those who are sedentary. Stroke volume at rest averages 50 to 70 milliliters per beat in an untrained individual, vs....
Virgin olive oil is not only good on your salads, but also for your heart, arteries and veins. Virgin olive oil is made from the fruit of the olive tree and contains oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that can improve your cardiovascular...
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 32% of adults in the United States over the age of twenty have hypertension. Many adults however, are unaware of their uncontrolled high blood pressure due to its quiet presentation....
A sauna is a small room that is heated to high temperatures with the intention of exposing its occupants to the benefits of this heat. This can be done in several ways, but the most commonly used sauna has rocks or charcoals that are heated. When...
Saunas have been in use for hundreds of years under the belief that they improve health, but scientific evidence for the benefits of saunas has only recently been discovered. The term "sauna" generally refers to the Finnish-style sauna bathing. A...
