Mark Twain Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint
Replacing saturated fats with healthier options can cut the risk of heart disease by a fifth, a US study says. The Harvard Medical School reports adds weight to the growing evidence about polyunsaturated fats, found in some fish and vegetable oils. The team analysed the findings from eight previous studies, covering more than 13,000 people, [...]
Aneurysm is a local widening (dilatation) in the wall of an artery, usually the aorta or a major artery. It may grow into a pulsating tumor and finally burst. This situation is important; aneurysm in chest, abdomen or head being most at risk. Where not due to excessive athletic performance, it is a sign that [...]
Obesity is an increasingly common condition in which a large amount of excess fat has accumulated in the body. An adult with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 30 and 39.9 is classed as obese, and an adult with a BMI over 40 is classed as very obese (a BMI between 25 and 14.9 is [...]
Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of cholesterol and other fatty substances (lipids) in the wall of arteries, causing the arteries to narrow. Atherosclerosis can affect arteries in any area of the body and is a major cause of stroke, heart attack, and poor circulation in the legs. The arteries become narrowed when fatty substances carried in [...]
Aneurysm is an abnormal dilation (ballooning) of an artery caused by the pressure of blood flowing through a weakened area. The weakening may be due to disease, injury, or a congenital (present from birth) defect of the arterial wall. Aneurysm most commonly affect the aorta and arteries supplying the brain. ANEURYSM TYPES AND CAUSES The [...]
Angina pectoris is a pain in the chest that is a result of insufficient oxygen being carried to the heart muscle in the blood. The pain of angina pectoris usually occurs when the heart is working harder and requires more oxygen, such as during exercise or at times of stress. ANGINA PECTORIS CAUSES Inadequate blood [...]
Myocardial infarction is the sudden death of part of the heart muscle due to a blockage in the blood supply to that area of the heart. The disorder is popularly known as a heart attack. Myocardial infarction is fatal in about 25 per cent of cases. MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION CAUSES The usual cause is atherosclerosis of [...]
Heart failure is the inability of the heart to cope with its workload of pumping blood to the lungs and to the rest of the body. Heart failure can primarily affect either the right or the left side of the heart: however, it most commonly affects both sides. Heart failure can be acute or chronic [...]
Heart block is a disorderof the heartbeat caused by an interruption to the passage of electrical impulses through the heart’s conductiong system. Heart block may be congenital or may be due to heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, disorders of the heart valves, or heart muscle disease. Other causes include overdose of a digitalis [...]