Tag Archives: heart

An LVAD helps maintain the pumping capacity of a heart that is too weak to function on its own A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a surgically implanted mechanical device that pumps blood from the lower left chamber of the heart (ventricle) to the rest of the body. An LVAD helps maintain the pumping …

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) involves inserting a catheter with an ultrasonic inducer into the artery Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to view the inside of a coronary artery to assess blood flow. IVUS involves inserting a catheter with an ultrasonic inducer into the artery. What to expect during an intravascular ultrasound Before the procedure Before …

Learn about peripheral vascular stent implantation and how it can be used to treat peripheral vascular disease (PVD) A peripheral vascular stent is a wire mesh tube that is used to open a blocked or clogged artery, resulting in improved blood flow. The stent keeps the artery open and sometimes contains medications that help prevent the artery from becoming blocked. How …

Generic Name: prasugrel Brand Name: Effient Drug Class: Antiplatelet Agents, Cardiovascular; Antiplatelet Agents, Hematologic What is prasugrel, and what is it used for? Prasugrel is a medication used during the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which includes two types of heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that can be traced in the ECG and non-ST elevation …

Two circulatory systems Catheterization is the process where doctors use a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to look at the heart. Right heart catheterization is performed by going into a vein. Heart catheterization, heart cath, and cardiac catheterization are three terms that all mean the same thing. In the process of catheterization, doctors use a thin, flexible tube called …

Tips to bring your blood pressure down quickly High blood pressure is diagnosed when the force of your blood pressing against the artery wall is too high for an extended period of time. Bring your blood pressure down immediately by taking a hot shower or bath and practicing deep breathing and relaxation techniques. High blood pressure is diagnosed when the …

Learn about which medications and surgical procedures can help reset your heart rhythm You can reset your heart rhythm through cardioversion, which is used to restore a normal heart rhythm in people with an abnormal heartbeat. Cardioversion can be done through either medications or surgical intervention. When would you need to reset your heart rhythm? Resetting your heart rhythm may be …

Brand Name: Camzyos Generic Name: mavacamten Drug Class: Cardiac Myosin Inhibitors What is Camzyos (mavacamten), and what is it used for? Camzyos (mavacamten) capsules is a prescription medicine used to improve functional capacity and treat the symptoms of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Camzyos may be used alone or with other medications. Camzyos belongs to a class of …

What is a heart catheterization? You may not have had a cardiac catheterization, but you probably know someone who has. Each year in the United States, around 1 million people have cardiac catheterizations. People also refer to these procedures as cardiac caths or heart caths.  You may be familiar with catheters that drain the bladder. A catheter is any flexible …

Broken heart syndrome is curable and rarely fatal with only about four percent of victims dying from it. Most people with broken heart syndrome symptoms will notice that their heart function returns to normal after a few weeks, with no negative side effects. According to recent research, however, about four percent of people with the illness die as a result …