A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow through the coronary arteries is blocked. The coronary arteries are the vessels that feed blood directly to the heart muscle itself. When these vessels are blocked they can cause the...
The heart muscle itself is fed by the coronary arteries, and coronary heart disease causes fatty buildup of plaque within the coronary arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. Narrowing of the coronary arteries prevents the heart muscle from...
One of the effects of a good drink is the high the drinker experiences. Elevated blood pressure levels create part of that high. Your genes and chemical make-up will determine the amount of booze your body can take before it starts affecting your...
Normally, the heart takes it easy during sleep, as blood pressure and heart rate drop to low and relaxed levels. However, having a heart attack during sleep is possible. In most cases, the sleeper wakes up due to pain. Contact 911 if you ever...
A vaccine exists for anthrax poisoning, but it must be administered by a trained professional. It usually involves a series of injections over time--three in the first month, then three more each spaced 6 months apart. If you are planning on...
When your baby develops a hacking cough, it may have several causes. Your infant may have a simple cold, or she may have a more serious illness such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or asthma. While the cough may not be anything to worry...
Pains in the center of the chest can be caused by a number of different conditions ranging from harmless to deadly. While chest pains do not always indicate the onset of a serious event such as a heart attack, individuals with chest pain should...
Spinal blocks often offer several advantages over general anesthesia for procedures involving the lower body, according to the 2006 edition of "Clinical Anesthesiology." As with any medical procedure, however, the use of spinal blocks in surgery...
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, is always serious. But, a heart attack may be considered "mild" when there isn't a complete blockage to the heart. In a mild heart attack, a partial blockage slows blood flow to the heart, but...
Monosodium glutamate, also called MSG, is a type of food additive used to flavor and preserve certain types of food such as Chinese food, processed meat and soup. Although the FDA has declared MSG "safe," using this ingredient as a food additive...
Diabetes involves a problem in maintaining healthy levels of blood sugar. When sustained over a long period of time, high levels of blood sugar can damage almost every system in the body. The American Diabetes Association reports that the risk of...
Vitamin D helps facilitate calcium absorption in your body. Without adequate amounts of vitamin D, your bones may begin to become brittle, thin or painful. Taking high doses of vitamin D-3, a type of vitamin D supplement, may help increase the...
A heart attack is formally called a myocardial infarction, which means that blood flow to the heart is interrupted. The interruption is typically caused by a blockage in a coronary artery caused by plaque or a blood clot. The size of the blockage...
Tracheal pain is usually felt in the chest during cardiovascular exercise when you have a weak heart or an unconditioned body. While occasionally this can be the sign of a serious health problem, if you work yourself up to health levels of...
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In the United States, heart disease causes 40 percent of all deaths, many of which are preventable by combining a healthy diet with increased cardiovascular fitness.
You just heard about an herbal supplement that may help your symptoms of an enlarged prostate, called saw palmetto. But, shorly after taking the herbal supplement, you develop chest pain. Chest pain is a concerning symptom that will need to be...
Tightness or a sense of constriction in your chest that persists over time may also manifest intermittently, and affect different organs within your chest. Your heart, lungs, diaphragm and esophagus can all experience varying degrees of chest...
Many of the early symptoms of a heart attack are easily ignored. Chest pain that comes and goes, fatigue and nausea are all early warning signs that a heart attack may be developing. Ignoring these signs reduces the risk of survival after a heart...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists "death" as a consequence of smoking. Smoking also leads to a other health issues, such as cardiac complications, respiratory illness and cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that smoking...
Pneumonia is "an infection in the lung parenchyma," according to the Cleveland Clinic, decreasing the lungs' ability to supply oxygen to the body. Fungus spores are present in most healthy people, but with the introduction of pneumonia, the body...
Angina is a heart symptom that causes you to experience chest pain and/or pressure. This condition is often an indicator of an underlying heart condition, such as heart disease. Because angina symptoms mimic that of a heart attack, it's important...
The average heart rate for a healthy adult falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. A rapid heart rate, or tachycardia, is a condition in which your heart beats more than 100 times per minute while you are at rest. Tachycardia, one of several...
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. A heart attack occurs when tissues that make up the heart muscle die. If arteries become narrowed due to cardiovascular disease the blood and oxygen supply to the heart is...
Immodium is the brand name for loperamide, a drug that decreases diarrhea. Immodium works by slowing peristalsis, the movement of the intestines, the Mayo Clinic states. Immodium shouldn't be used for more than two days; diarrhea lasting more than...
Sumatriptan, the generic name for Imitrex, is a medication that can be prescribed in the treatment of severe migraine headaches. The medicine may also relieve associated symptoms of a migraine such as sound sensitivities, light sensitivities,...
Heart attacks and strokes are sometimes referred to as "silent" killers. Mild heart attacks can be mistaken for indigestion and heartburn, and therefore go untreated. Strokes may offer no signs or symptoms at all. Some symptoms, like difficulty...
Possible signs of a mild heart attack can be quite vague. A person may only feel tired and somewhat anxious without knowing why. The symptoms experienced during a mild heart attack can be similar to those experienced during a major heart attack....
Pain on the right side of the chest is common and often caused by a strained muscle, a bruised or broken rib, a trapped nerve, stress and a range of other causes. Pain can also result from problems not directly related to the chest, heart or...
Caffeine remains the most widely consumed drug. Present in chocolate and coffee, manufacturers also add the stimulant to sports and energy drinks. These beverages have become increasingly popular, especially with college students. According to...
