During the normal operation of an Aprilaire home humidifier, the unit opens a water valve, operated by a special electrical device, called a solenoid. When the unit needs water, it sends an electrical impulse to the solenoid, magnetizing a coil in...
Aortic valve stenosis is a condition in which the heart's aortic valve narrows, preventing the valve from opening fully. The narrowed heart valve obstructs blood flow, causing the heart to have to work harder. Over time the heart becomes weakened...
Heart valve replacement surgeries are common procedures done to improve the health of people with heart valve diseases. Heart valves open so blood can flow through the chambers of the heart and flow back out of the heart into large arteries....
Rheumatic heart disease is a condition of the heart caused by damage from rheumatic fever. A strep throat infection can progress to rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever affects many of the body's connective tissues, especially in the heart, brain,...
Aortic valve replacement surgery is a major heart procedure designed to help restore functionality to the aortic valve according to the Texas Heart Institute. The surgery may be performed in response to a valve defect, calcification of the valve...
The heart is comprised of four valves--the aortic, pulmonary, tricuspid and mitral valves--that all play a vital role in controlling the force, volume and direction of blood flow through the heart, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Congenital...
Blood normally flows through the heart in one direction because this flow is regulated by valves that act like one-way doors. Each valve is equipped with flaps that open and close in coordination with other cardiac functions, making for efficient...
Heart valve disease describes a disorder in the heart that occurs when at least one of the four heart valves fails to function properly, interfering with the circulation of blood. The four heart valves--the mitral valve, the tricuspid valve, the...
Specifically, mitral valve disease indicates either mitral stenosis or mitral regurgitation. Mitral stenosis has been linked to rheumatic fever or any complication causing inflammation of the heart, such as streptococci infection, states Leonard...
The tricuspid valve, mitral valve, pulmonic valve and aortic valve comprise the four valves in the heart that control the flow of blood from the upper heart chambers to the lower heart chambers, as well as to the lungs and the body. Complications...
Heart disease is a term used to describe a broad range of conditions that affect the circulatory system including coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disturbances and heart valve problems. Other disorders affect the pumping ability of the heart,...
Congestive heart failure is a condition in which your heart cannot pump an adequate amount of oxygen-rich blood to supply your body's tissues. Symptoms may include fatigue, irregular heartbeat, swelling in the feet and abdomen, wheezing and...
Mayoclinic.org states that heart valves are vital to the proper functioning of the circulatory system as their function is to prevent the blood from regurgitating. Several diseases can destroy or damage valves. When the heart valve's function is...
Medline explains that before heart valve replacement surgery can be done, the patient needs to talk with his doctor to choose what kind of replacement valve will be used. Some replacement valves are made out of mechanical tissue, such as ceramics,...
Rheumatic heart disease is an inflammatory condition that damages the heart valves as a result of rheumatic fever. Complications of strep throat from a streptococcal infection cause rheumatic fever. Although rheumatic fever is rare in the United...
Heart valve replacement is a complex, last-resort, surgical procedure aimed at removing faulty or damaged heart valves and replacing them with either a mechanical or a biologic valve. Cleveland Clinic describes the procedure as removing the...
Aortic heart disease is a condition affecting the aortic valve, one of four valves in the heart. Most aortic valve problems are related to stenosis, when the valve becomes rigid an unable to open properly, or regurgitation, when the valve leaflets...
The heart is an essential part of the body. Through its pumping action, the heart delivers nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to the body via the aorta and other blood vessels. Blood deficient in oxygen and nutrients return to the heart through blood...
A normal heartbeat, the electrical impulses that cause the heart muscle to contract in a specific sequence, pushes the blood through the heart with two adjoining pumps, one in the atrium and one in the ventricle. SVT, or supraventricular...
Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to other organs in the body. It is caused by diseases that weaken or stiffen the heart muscle, or diseases that increase the demand for oxygen beyond...
Collagen is an important protein that supports the connective tissues of the human body. It is a crucial component in building muscles, joints and bones. It is collagen along with elastin that gives the skin its strength, elasticity and a smooth...
Body mass index, or BMI, charts can help you determine whether you're within a healthy weight range or if you're overweight. The BMI chart is broken down into three categories which consist of a healthy weight range, overweight or obese. Being...
Many different disease processes can cause a heart condition. Inherited abnormalities and errors in the development of the heart while in the womb can lead to malfunctions and malformations of the heart. High blood pressure, elevated blood...
Cardiomegaly is an enlarged heart and a symptom of cardiomyopathy, or disease of the heart. Cardiomegaly occurs from multiple causes, and poorly controlled high blood pressure is a common factor. The American Heart Association explains there are...
The valves in the heart that keep blood flowing in the right direction may become defective, requiring one or more of them to need repair or replacement. Heart valve replacements can be done via open heart surgery or using a minimally invasive...
Heart disease includes a variety of different conditions affecting the heart. The leading type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, in which the arteries in the heart are blocked and blood flow is restricted. Treatment for cardiac disease...
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...
Approximately 5.8 million people in the United States have heart failure, according to 2010 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, 670,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, with the most common causes being...
Outpatient cardiac rehab helps individuals recovering from a heart condition or cardiac surgery. These comprehensive programs reduce their mortality rates and increase positive outcomes. Each outpatient cardiac rehab plan is personalized to meet...
Tricuspid regurgitation is a heart condition wherein the tricuspid valve fails in systole. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for Tricuspid Regurgitation in this video.
