What is cardiac catheterization? Cardiac catheterization, also known as cardiac cath or heart cath, is a procedure to examine the functioning of the heart. A thin, narrow tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel of an arm or a leg, and is guided to the arteries of the heart using an X-ray …
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What are the warning signs of a heart attack in a woman? Many women think that the typical signs of a heart attack like crushing chest pain and shortness of breath can be easily recognized and cannot be missed. Heart disease is the number one cause of death among women in the United States, with one out of every three …
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What is methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)? There are two common MTHFR mutations, known as C677T and A1298C. The term MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. MTHFR is an enzyme that breaks down the amino acids' homocysteine and folate. Homocysteine is an amino acid that works to maintain the body’s cells. Folate is one of the B-vitamins needed to make red and white …
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What is atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis is a disease of blood vessels. In this condition, the innermost layer of the blood vessels (endothelium) is constricted by the deposition of fat, calcium and cellular debris. Atherosclerosis leads to the narrowing of the artery, which in turn reduces the flow of blood passing through it. The reduced blood flow results in a depletion of …
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What is congestive heart failure? The four stages of congestive heart failure depending on the functional capabilities of the heart. Congestive heart failure is a severe progressive condition that affects the pumping power of heart muscles. Because of decreased cardiac output, the organs get inadequate blood, oxygen, and nutrients. Congestive heart failure usually affects the lungs, heart, and kidneys. A …
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Who is a cardiologist? A cardiologist specializes in finding, preventing, and treating the diseases of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular diseases). A cardiologist is a doctor with special training in diagnosing, treating, and preventing the diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiologists obtain extensive education and training. This includes four years of medical school and three years of …
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How does atrial fibrillation occur? Most common causes leading to atrial fibrillation include heart valve disease, heart failure, and others. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by an irregular and fast heartbeat. The upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat chaotically. This can cause pooling and clotting of blood in the atria, instead of it emptying into …
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How does someone get a widowmaker heart attack? It is difficult to differentiate between a regular heart attack and the widowmaker heart attack because the symptoms are similar. Any heart attack can be grave. A widowmaker is a type of heart attack, which is deadlier than most others. A widowmaker heart attack occurs when the left ascending artery (LAD) that …
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What is congestive heart failure? Several factors can cause congestive heart failure including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, diabetes, and others. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood to body tissues efficiently. Congestive heart failure is a chronic disease that progresses with time if left untreated. Heart failure can occur due …
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How dangerous is percutaneous heart valve replacement surgery? Pictured is an artificial heart valve. Percutaneous (less-invasive) heart valve repair is widely performed and carries the typical surgical risks of a cardiac procedure. Percutaneous heart valve replacement techniques are still evolving. The associated risks are expected to decline with advancements in this field. A percutaneous valve replacement is a minimally invasive …
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