Increasing HDL
HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol, appears to scour the walls of blood vessels, cleaning out excess

Blood Pressure Drug List
List of drugs used for treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with links to drug information.

Key Heart Disease Symptoms
Chest pain, fainting, fatigue, dizziness and heart palpitations can also signal something serious.

Palpitations
When your heartbeat feels unusually strong, or odd, it's known as a palpitation. Is it serious?

Chest pain
Chest pain - its causes, and how it should be evaluated

STEMI Definition
A STEMI - ST segment elevation myocardial infarction - occurs when a coronary artery is totally occluded by a blood clot.

Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Cholesterol and triglycerides, two forms of lipid that circulate in your bloodstream, are both necessary for life itself. But when blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides become too high, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease is significantly increased.

Pacemakers
Here is what you should know about pacemakers - what they are and what they do, how they are implanted, and what to expect if you have or need one.

PVCs
The evaluation and treatment of premature ventricular complexes, known as PVCs.

evaluating chest pain
how chest pain should be evaluated - how to tell if it's an emergency

cardiac anatomy
A description of the heart's chambers and valves

Cardiac Symptoms In Women
Cardiac symptoms in women are often different than in men

Definition of NSTEMI
A NSTEMI - non-ST segment myocardial infarction - occurs when a coronary artery is partially occluded by a blood clot.

bundle branch block
The treatment of bundle branch block

dysautonomia
The dysautonomias are serious medical disorders that are often missed, or dismissed

Diastolic Dysfunction and Diastolic Heart Failure
Diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure occur when the heart's ventricles become too stiff, leading to impaired filling of the ventricles with blood.

coughing_and_heart_failure
Coughing can be an important symptom of heart failure

Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatic heart disease is heart valve damage that occurs after an episode of rheumatic fever.

Trans fatty acids
Trans fatty acids - what they are, where they are, and what they do to your heart

Thyroid and the heart
the cardiac effects of thyroid disease

how much exercise?
Is an hour a day of exercise really necessary?

The Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A description of the electrocardiogram, how it is performed, and what it shows

Syncope And Its Causes
Syncope, or fainting, is a common symptom that can be caused by many different medical conditions.

amiodarone
The unique features of amiodarone

nuts and heart disease
Several studies conducted over the years have strongly suggested that eating an ounce of nuts four or five times a week can significantly reduce your risk of coronary artery disease - by as much as 40%.

Inappropriate sinus tachycardia
IST - inappropriate sinus tachycardia - what is it, and how is it treated?

Surviving a heart attack
Surviving a heart attack requires that you know the signs of a heart attack, and seek medical help the moment you think you might be having one; and that the medical personnel who are caring for you do the right things, and do them quickly.

The statins
Statins are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in medicine. Clinical studies have shown that statins

Stress Test
Cardiac stress testing - stress testing for the heart

cardiac_enzymes_and_heart
Cardiac enzymes are proteins that leak out of heart cells that are sustaining damage during a heart attack. By measuring cardiac enzyme levels in the blood, doctors can determine whether a heart attack is occurring.

What is causing my chest pain?
What is causing my chest pain?: upper abdomen person experiences span style chest neck disease forum

benign chest wall pain
benign chest wall pain as a cause of chest pain

the MUGA scan
What the MUGA scan is used for in diagnosing heart disease

blood clotting
How the blood clots, and how to prevent abnormal clotting

Cardiac Enzymes
Cardiac enzymes - creatine kinase and troponin - are cardiac proteins that are released into the bloodstream when heart muscle damage occurs, as in myocardial infarction.

Symptoms of Diastolic Dysfunction and Diastolic Heart Failure
While diastolic dysfunction often does not cause symptoms, diastolic heart failure causes extreme and often acute episodes of shortness of breath. Diagnosing diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure often presents a challenge.

Heart Failure Basics
If you have been told you have heart failure, learning all you can about this condition is the best thing you can to to help yourself.

The Echocardiogram
A description of the echocardiogram and its uses

When your CRP is high
What to do when CRP level is high. High CRP - what should you do now?

NSTEMI
Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction - NSTEMI - is a form of Acute Coronary Syndrome that is identical to unstable angina, except that cardiac enzymes are elevated, indicating that heart cell damage has occurred

Ablating AF
In some patients, atrial fibrillation can be ablated in the electrophysiology laboratory.

Common heart tests
A summary of the most common heart tests used in cardiology

Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB)
Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) is an abnormal finding on the electrocardiogram that is often associated with underlying heart disease.

cocaine_and_the_heart
Cocaine affects the heart in ways that can permanently damage it or cause sudden death.

unstable angina
All about unstable angina - what is it, what causes it, and how should it be treated?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common congenital heart disorder that causes several varieties of heart problems – not the least of which is sudden death.

Red yeast rice
Red yeast rice for cholesterol

Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB)
Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) is an abnormal finding on the electrocardiogram that often indicates underlying heart disease.

Heart Attack Signs
The most important step in surviving a heart attack is to recognize when you might be having one. Here is what to look for, and what to do about it.

Treating Diastolic Dysfunction and Diastolic Heart Failure
Treating diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure mainly depends on treating underlying causes, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Atrial Fibrillation - An Overview
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders, especially among older adults.

Dysautonomia treatment
Diagnosing and successfully treating dysautonomia requires finding a physician who understands these conditions, and who is patient enough to engage in trial-and-error treatments.

How Does the Heart Beat?
The cardiac electrical system controls the heart rate and coordinates the contraction of cardiac muscle.

Long Term Treatment After A Heart Attack
How to prevent further problems after you survive a heart attack

CRT for heart failure
Cardiac resynchronization therapy - CRT - for heart failure

Amiodarone Lung Toxicity
The most feared side effect of amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) is pulmonary, or lung toxicity, which can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and which can be fatal.

nitrates for angina
Nitrates such as nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate are effective in preventing and treating episodes of angina.

PACs
PACs, or premature atrial complexes, are the most common of the heart arrhythmias.

How To Prevent Heart Disease
a simple how to on preventing heart disease , from your about.com guide

lung disorders
lung problems as a cause of chest pain

Triglycerides
Elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood - a condition referred to as hypertriglyceridemia - are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in both men and women.

What is Heart Disease?
What is heart disease?

Treating Hypertension
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, it is important for you and your doctor to establish a reasonable goal for treatment, and then take the necessary steps to achieve that goal.

Treatment of Premature Ventricular Complexes - PVCS
The treatment of premature ventricular complexes - PVCs - depends on the symptoms they are causing, and on any associated underlying heart disease.

alcohol and the heart
Should doctors tell their patients about the benefits of alcohol?

heart attack vs. cardiac arrest
Heart attack is the death of heart muscle due to a blocked coronary artery, while cardiac arrest is a heart arrhythmia that causes the heart to stop beating

Viagra in heart disease
Viagra (sildenafil) can be used safely in most patients with heart disease

Exercise and HDL
Duration of exercise correlates best with an increase in HDL cholesterol.

Electrophysiology Study
A description of the electrophysiology study.

Broken Heart Syndrome
Can you really die from a broken heart?

Evaluating The Cause Of Syncope
Evaluating the cause of syncope is best done in a systematic way.

pericarditis
Pericarditis - its causes, diagnosis, and treatment

When to measure CRP
Should you have your CRP measured? - The pros and cons of measuring CRP levels

mitral valve prolapse - MVP
Mitral valve prolapse - MVP - how it should be diagnosed and managed

dilated cardiomyopathy
Learn the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy, the most common form of heart failure.

Flying with heart disease
Is it safe to fly when you have a heart problem? Here are guidelines for flying with heart disease.

Cardiac cath
What you need to know about heart catheterization and angiography

Living With A Pacemaker
What you need to know about living a normal life with a pacemaker.

Heart Attack Checklist
A checklist of the medical care you should receive after after a heart attack

Aspirin for Heart Attacks
Taking an aspirin as soon as you believe you might be having a heart attack can help stop the growth of the blood clot that is blocking a coronary artery.

The treatment of vasovagal syncope
The treatment of syncope.: heart rhythm disturbances slow heart rate cardiac syncope antiarrhythmic drugs cardiac lesions

Symptoms of Heart Failure
Symptoms of heart failure are usually due to pulmonary congestion, poor cardiac pumping function or cardiac arrhythmias.

Anxiety or Panic disorder
anxiety disorder as a cause of chest pain

The MUGA scan in monitoring chemotherapy
The MUGA scan in monitoring breast cancer chemotherapy

antiarrhythmic drugs for AF
Antiarrhythmic drugs can be difficult and dangerous to use in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Treating Heart Failure
Treating heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy requires the aggressive use of beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and often diuretics.

Prinzmetal's angina
Prinzemetal's angina, or coronary artery spasm, is chest pain due to severe coronary artery spasm

Overview of Treating Atrial Fibrillation
There are two basic approaches to the treatment of atrial fibrillation -- controlling the heart rate, or restoring a normal rhythm.

LDL cholesterol guidelines
The guidelines for treating LDL cholesterol are based on cholesterol levels, and cardiac risk factors.

aortic stenosis
Aortic stenosis is caused by obstruction in the aortic valve and is treated with valve replacement surgery.

How To Keep Your Heart Healthy
Here are several lifestyle choices that can substantially reduce your risk of heart disease and keep your heart healthy.

heart_attacks_in_young_people
What causes heart attacks - myocardial infarction - in younger people?

syncope and seizures
Patients with vasovagal syncope (simple fainting spells) or long QT syndrome often receive the mistaken diagnosis of seizure disorder, or epilepsy.

coronary artery disease
Brief summary of coronary artery disease

Sudden Death After Heart Attacks
Sudden death after heart attacks

metabolic syndrome x
Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of common disorders that produce a high risk of cardiac disease. It is seen in susceptible individuals who become overweight and sedentary. Learn more about metabolic syndrome, and find out if you're at risk.

Holter Monitors and Event R...
the Holter monitor and event recorder in evaluating heart arrhythmias and palpitations

Long QT syndrome
Long QT syndrome - torsades de pointes

Stents or Bypass Sugery?
The Stents or Surgery trial (SoS) suggests that patients with multiple coronary artery blockages may have better survival with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) than with stenting.

milrinone_for_heart_failure_
Primacor (milrinone) is a medication used to treat heart failure. It works by helping the heart to contract, which allows the heart to pump blood more effectively. It also widens blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to move blood through arteries.

Assess your risk
How to assess your risk of heart disease

Drugs for Cardiac Arrhythmias
Heart arrhythmias can be treated with antiarrhythmic drugs, AV nodal blocking drugs, beta blockers, statins, and omega-3 fatty acids.

How To Prevent High Blood Pressure
a simple how to on preventing high blood pressure, from your about.com guide

overview_of_cardiac
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease of unknown origin that causes scar tissue to be deposited in various organs in the body. Cardiac sarcoidosis can produce heart arrhythmias, heart failure, and heart valve disease

Vasovagal (Cardioneurogenic) Syncope
Vasovagal - or cardioneurogenic - syncope is the most common cause of transient loss of consciousness

Tilt Table Testing
tilt table testing for syncope

symptoms
Symptom checker - symptoms associated with heart disease

Preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation
A new model - CHADS - helps to predict the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation

Heart Rhythm Problems
A review of what you need to know about cardiac arrhythmias, or heart rhythm problems.

drug treatment of angina
The medical treatment for angina and ischemia include drugs such as nitrates, beta blockers, calcium blockers and Ranexa, as well as non-drug therapy like exercise training and EECP

Non-Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia - NSVT
Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) is an episode of ventricular tachycardia that lasts for less than 30 seconds. NSVT can cause significant symptoms, and can indicate an increased risk for cardiac arrest and sudden death.

transesophageal echocardiogram
The transesophageal echocardiogram - TEE

CRP levels
CRP levels may be as predictive as cholesterol for cardiac risk

Chest pain, normal coronaries
Coronary angiography is generally regarded as the "Gold Standard" for diagnosing coronary artery disease

heartburn
heartburn as a cause of chest pain

Endocarditis prophylaxis
A review of recommendations for prophylaxis against bacterial endocarditis.

Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common medical problems in the developed world, and remains a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and other serious medical problems.

angina
angina as a cause of chest pain

Holiday Heart - Atrial Fibrillation & Alcohol
Even small amounts of alcohol ingestion can lead to episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in the condition known as Holiday Heart.

Subclavian Steal Syndrome
Subclavian steal syndrome is a form of peripheral artery disease (PAD) affecting the subclavian artery, which results on both claudication of the arm and variable neurological symptoms when the arm is exercised.

fainting_and_exercise
A brief description of fainting after exercise as a potential sign of serious heart trouble.

The Rate Control Approach to Treating Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation can be treated by using medications to control the heart rate, and Coumadin to reduce the risk of blood clots.

peptic ulcer
peptic ulcer as a cause of chest pain

palpitations and the Holter monitor
palpitations and the holter monitor: heart arrhythmia heart palpitations holter monitor drrich palpitation

Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is a widespread inflammation, related to strep throat, that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, brain, and heart.

How Does Stress Cause Heart Disease?
Stress appears to contribute to heart disease in at least two ways. Learn more here.

Cardiac Enzymes Definition
Cardiac enzymes are useful in the diagnosis of heart attack.

Chest pain
causes of chest pain and how the diagnosis is made

The evaluation of syncope - When to fire your doctor
The appropriate evaluation of syncope - when to fire your doctor

Shrinking plaques
A new synthetic HDL shrinks coronary artery plaques.

Nuclear scans
Nuclear perfusion studies with thallium and Cardiolite - thallium and Cardiolite scans

The "Rhythm Control" Approach To Treating Atrial Fibrillation
In atrial fibrillation, restoring and maintaining a normal heart rhythm is both difficult and potentially risky, but is often the better approach to treatment.

dobutamine_for_heart_failure
Classified as an inotrope, a compound that affects the force of muscle contractions, dobutamine is given intravenously, usually in a hospital setting, and often to critically ill heart failure patients who are in danger of dying.

Cholesterol - Do You Need To Be Treated?
If you have elevated cholesterol levels, the decision as to whether you need treatment should be based on the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.

CRP guidelines
Guidelines for when to measure CRP levels

Treating UA and NSTEMI
Unstable angina and NSTEMI - two closely related varieties of Acute Coronary Syndrome - are treated identically, with stabilization of cardiac ischemia, and usually with cardiac catheterization, angioplasty and stenting.

Sinus Bradycardia
In sinus bradycardia, a slow heart rate occurs because the heart's sinus node is generating the electrical signals that regulate the heart rhythm at a relatively reduced rate. Sometimes sinus bradycardia is normal, but at other times it requires treatment.

How To Recognize A Heart Attack
a simple how to on recognizing a heart attack, from your about.com guide

pump head
Bypass surgery leaves some patients with permanent mental deficits

Treating a heart attack
The first few hours of a heart attack are critical in determining whether you survive without any serious long-term disability. Here's what you need to know

coronary artery spasm
Coronary artery spasm as a cause of chest pain

signs_of_a_aortic_aneurysm
Sudden, severe abdominal pain is one of several symptom of aortic aneurysm rupture.

beta blockers and angina
Beta blockers block the effect of adrenaline on the heart, and reduces the risk of developing angina during periods of stress and exercise.

Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute coronary syndrome - ACS - occurs when a plaque in a coronary artery ruptures, causing a blood clot to form within the artery, and blocking blood flow to the heart muscle.

heart attack
heart attack as a cause of chest pain

Cardiac Ablation
Ablation procedures treat abnormal electrical pathways in the heart. These procedures can sometimes eliminate certain heart arrhythmias.

Causes of Cardiomyopathy
Many medical conditions can cause dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

Deep Venous Thrombosis - DVT
Deep venous thrombosis - DVT - is a condition in which blood clots form in the deep leg veins.

CAD in women
More women die of cardiovascular disease than of any other cause, and most of these deaths are due to