Cholesterol is a necessary substance found in every cell, but excess blood cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. The body produces cholesterol, but some is introduced into the body via food that is eaten. The American Heart...
The major blood vessels of the leg fall into two subcategories. Arteries carry blood away from the heart and toward the body tissues. Since the arterial blood is meant to supply tissues and cells with oxygen and nutrients, this blood is...
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are usually dark blue or purple and tend to have a lumpy appearance. While not usually dangerous, they can cause discomfort and there are some theories that they can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, says the...
Tenormin is the brand name of the drug atenolol. Doctors often prescribe atenolol to patients with hypertension and heart problems. When you talk to your doctor about taking Tenormin or any other form of atenolol, be sure to disclose any known...
With winter looming closer, heating options come to mind. If you have a drafty house, a portable space heater is an excellent option for heating small spaces without driving up your electric bill. According to Energysavers.gov, space heaters...
Your heart rate is one of the most effective ways to measure your fitness and health. Knowing your heart rate can help determine blood flow to the rest of your body during exercise. For many people, measuring heart rate is a difficult procedure...
Heparin is a common anticoagulant, often used after orthopedic, cardiac and abdominal surgery. Heparin prevents life-threatening clots from developing in the deep veins of the legs and arms after surgery. During the period of immobilization after...
HIV is a virus known as the human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS, the acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome. AIDS represents the advanced stages of an HIV infection. According to the National Library of Medicine,...
Serum glucose, also referred to as blood sugar, is the concentration of sugar in the blood. It comes from the breakdown of carbohydrates that you consume. It is the primary source of energy for the body's cells. If glucose levels are too high or...
LDL cholesterol describes cholesterol bound by low-density lipoprotein -- a specialized protein consisting of proteins on the outer layer and fats and cholesterol in the inner layer. The function of the lipoprotein is to carry cholesterol through...
There are a number of different tests diabetics ought to have on a routine basis. The most important is a hemoglobin A1C (hgA1C), which is performed every 6 months or so, usually depending on the preference of the doctor treating the diabetes....
Performing a blood culture phlebotomy is difficult, but sterile procedures make the test useful for isolating pathogenic bacteria in a patient's blood stream. According to Lab Tests Online, blood is drawn from a vein and injected into a rich...
Eating shrimp is a tasty way to get protein, iron and selenium without a lot of calories or fat. You can easily prepare frozen shell-on shrimp by thawing and then boiling them on your stovetop. After boiling shrimp, you can peel them with your...
Triglycerides are the chemical storage form of fats -- both in your body and in foods. Triglycerides circulate through the body in the blood plasma and combine with cholesterol to form the plasma lipids, high-density lipoproteins, low-density...
Cholesterol is a type of lipid which is incorporated into cell membranes and used in the synthesis of steroid hormones. It can also accumulate in the walls of arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis causes arteries to become stiff...
According to the Centers for Disease Control, "Once HIV enters the body, the body starts to produce antibodies---substances the immune system creates after infection." These antibodies function to help protect your body against the HIV virus. The...
Regular exercise can help you control your weight, build cardiovascular fitness and help control your blood pressure. During exercise, however, your blood pressure rises slightly, which might be affecting your left jugular vein. The problem might...
Cholesterol is a chemical that has a number of functions, both good and bad, in the human body. Cholesterol is an important part of the cell membrane and is also used by the body to make steroids, which are important chemical signals. However,...
Your resting heart rate is how many times your heart beats per minute while you are calm. Children over 10 and adults typically have a resting heart rate of between 60 and 100 beats per minute, according to MedlinePlus, a website of the National...
Around 7 to 9 months, a baby starts trying to feed himself by grabbing at food on his plate or trying to take the spoon from his mother's hands. By a year, he likely is well-versed in using the pincer grip with his thumb and forefinger to pick up...
The rate of sugar in the blood is also called the blood glucose level. It is expressed as milligrams of glucose per deciliter. Blood glucose comes from the digestion of carbohydrates in our food and the breaking down of glycogen in the liver....
Stationary exercise bike workouts are a staple option at most gyms and health clubs, providing beneficial cardiovascular exercise. But like all cardio workouts, using exercise bikes elevates your heart rate by varying degrees depending on the...
Your heart revs like a car engine. During periods of activity, your heart rate increases to supply the muscles with needed oxygen-rich blood to maximize strength and endurance. There is, however, a maximum recommended heart rate similar to the red...
Triglycerides are an important type of fat in the human body, serving as the primary form of fat storage. Many foods contain high concentrations of triglycerides. The liver also produces these fats. A triglyceride analysis measures the...
