Tag Archives: heart

What is pericardiocentesis? Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to drain excess fluid from the heart's protective sack (pericardium). Pericardiocentesis is an invasive procedure to remove fluid from the protective sac (pericardium) around the heart. Pericardium is a thin, two-layered sac with a small amount of fluid. Pericardiocentesis is a procedure by which excessive pericardial fluid (pericardial …

What is cardiac tamponade? Cardiac tamponade is a condition in which the pressurized protective sack around the heart (pericardium) fills with blood and compromised heart function. Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition caused by excessive fluid accumulation in the protective sac (pericardium) around the heart. The fluid exerts pressure on the heart and impairs its ability to pump blood. Cardiac …

What is Entresto and what is it used for? Entresto is a prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in people with certain types of long-lasting (chronic) heart failure. Entresto is usually used with other heart failure therapies, in place of an ACE inhibitor or other ARB therapy. Heart failure occurs when the heart is weak …

Porphyria facts* A health care provider diagnoses porphyria with blood, urine, and stool tests. *Porphyria facts medically edited by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Porphyria is a group of diseases that are due to the deficiency of one of the enzymes needed to make an important substance in the body called heme. Porphyrias are often classified as acute …

Orthostatic hypotension definition and facts What Is Low Blood Pressure? The autonomic nervous system makes changes in blood pressure and heart rate to allow the body to provide adequate blood supply to the brain when the body changes position. Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension include lightheadedness, weakness, blurred vision, and syncope or passing out. Dehydration, blood loss, and anemia are the …

Pericarditis definition and facts Picture of the heart in the pericardial sac Pericarditis is an inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart (the pericardial sac). Pericardial effusion is a collection of fluid in the pericardial sac. This fluid may be produced by inflammation. The cause of pericarditis in most individuals is unknown but is likely due to viral infection. Pericarditis …

What are anticoagulants? An anticoagulant is a drug (blood thinner) that treats, prevents, and reduces the risk of blood clots-breaking off and traveling to vital organs of the body, which can lead to life threatening situations. They work by preventing blood from coagulating to form a clot in the vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and brain. For example, …

What is spironolactone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Aldactone (spironolactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic that removes excess fluid from the body in congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease. It also can be used in combination with other drugs to treat diuretic-induced low potassium (hypokalemia) and high blood pressure. Aldactone also is used to …

lovastatin vs. simvastatin comparison Both lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev) and simvastatin (Zocor) are members of the statin family of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Statins revolutionized the treatment and prevention of a host of cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease and other cholesterol-related problems that cause debilitating and fatal heart attacks and strokes. Lovastatin and simvastatin are chemically similar. The central difference between these …

Simvastatin vs. Crestor comparison Zocor (simvastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin) are both members of the family of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, which revolutionized the management of cardiovascular diseases, many of which are caused by cholesterol plaque deposits in the arteries. Crestor is the more potent cholesterol-lowering drug, and it’s also newer than Zocor. Both simvastatin and rosuvastatin have similar side effects, …