What is pericarditis? Pericarditis is a condition in which the sac that surrounds the heart becomes inflamed. The best treatment for pericarditis depends on what's causing the infection. Antivirals, corticosteroids and surgery may be used. Pericarditis is a condition in which the protective sac around the heart becomes inflamed. This sac is called the pericardium. …
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How Do I Know if It’s a Panic Attack or Heart Attack?
What is a panic attack vs. heart attack? A panic attack is an intense wave of fear accompanied by symptoms like sweating, shaking, dizziness and others. A heart attack is a blockage in blood flow to the heart. The symptoms of a heart attack and panic attack are similar, but they have different outcomes. When you feel your heart racing …
Read More »What Does an Angina Attack Feel Like?
What does an angina attack feel like? Angina attacks are a type of chest pain that occurs when the heart is not getting enough blood. An angina attack feels like squeezing pressure in your chest, back, arms, neck or shoulders. You may also feel like you have indigestion or an upset stomach. Angina attacks are chest pains caused when there …
Read More »Heart Attack Early Warning Signs and Symptoms in Women and Men
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack can include chest pain, nausea and arm pain.Source: iStock What should I know about heart attacks? Readers Comments 17 Share Your Story Heart Attack illustration – Myocardial Infarction What is a heart attack? A heart attack is the death of heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply. The loss of blood …
Read More »Heart Transplant Surgery: Artificial Hearts, Costs, Rejection
A heart transplant involves surgically replacing a diseased heart with a healthy heart from a donor. A heart transplant is a surgery in which a diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a donor. Believe it or not, heart transplantation is a relatively simple operation for a cardiac surgeon. There are three different types of heart transplants: The first …
Read More »Optiray (ioversol) Injection for Heart X-Ray: Side Effects, Dosage
What is Optiray Injection, and how does it work? Optiray (ioversol) is a radiopaque contrast agent that contains iodine, a substance that absorbs x-rays, and is used to help diagnose certain disorders of the heart. What are the side effects of Optiray Injection? Common side effects of Optiray include fever, warmth and pain at the injection site, skin rash or …
Read More »How Long Can You Live With a Biventricular Pacemaker?
A biventricular pacemaker is a battery-operated device used to treat delay in contractions of the lower chambers of the heart A biventricular pacemaker is a battery-operated device used to treat delay in contractions of the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). As per research, patients with a biventricular pacemaker have better survival rates after the diagnosis is made. The average …
Read More »What Is Renal Artery Angioplasty? Procedure, Purpose, Testing & Risks
The renal artery angioplasty aims at opening the block and restoring the regular blood flow. Renal artery angioplasty is a procedure to widen the opening of the renal arteries that supply blood to the kidney. Narrowing of the renal artery (renal artery stenosis) is the leading cause of this artery obstruction. Renal artery stenosis is mostly caused by atherosclerosis or …
Read More »How Is a Pulmonary Angiography Done?
What is a pulmonary angiography? A pulmonary angiography detects problems in the blood flow of the pulmonary vessels. The results of the procedure are shown as a moving X-ray known as a pulmonary angiogram. Doctors need to insert a catheter into your arm or groin and thread it through your veins to your heart as part of the procedure. Pulmonary …
Read More »Where Is an Arterial Line Placed?
Arterial line placement, or arterial cannulation, is typically placed in the radial artery in the forearm or the femoral artery in the thigh. Arterial line placement, or arterial cannulation, is a commonly performed procedure, especially for patients in critical care and some anesthetic settings. Arterial line placement is done in children and adults. The most common site where an arterial …
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