Start Here - Cardiology 101
A one-stop resource for heart for basic information on disease and cardiology.

Angioplasty (PTCA) and stents
Angioplasty (or PTCA) is a catheterization procedure in which blocked coronary arteries are unblocked using balloons, tiny drills, laser or other techniques. Stents are tiny metal scaffolds that are applied to the inside of a diseased artery, then expanded to hold the artery open.

Aortic aneurysm and vascular disease
Aortic aneurysm, or dilation of the aorta, is responsible for thousands of deaths each year. Other forms of vascular heart disease also cause substantial mortality and loss of function.

Arrhythmias and their treatment
Cardiac arrhythmias, or heart rhythm disturbances, can be entirely benign, or highly lethal. Telling the difference, and knowing how aggressively to treat, can present a true challenge.

Cardiac drugs
This page links to sites providing information on the multitude of drugs used to treat heart disease.

Cardiac surgery
Surgery is commonly used to treat coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and some forms of cardiomyopathy. New technology is making heart surgery less invasive and safer each year.

Cardiac testing
Tests used to diagnose cardiac disease include the electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, catheterization, stress testing, nuclear testing, and electrophysiologic testing.

Cardiomyopathy - heart muscle disorders
The cardiomyopathies are a diverse group of disorders that cause the heart muscle to weaken, often resulting in heart failure.

Catheterization and angiography
Cardiac catheterization involves passing hollow tubes (catheters) inside the heart via the blood vessels, in order to measure pressures and visualize structures within the heart. Angiography is a catheterization procedure in which the coronary arteries are visualized.

Cholesterol and triglycerides
Elevated cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Reducing cholesterol levels can have a major impact on cardiovascular risk.

Congenital heart disease
Congenital heart disease - heart disease that develops before birth - takes many different forms. Advances in diagnosing and treating congenital heart disease have allowed many children who formerly would have died to live into adulthood.

Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease kills millions every year, and its incidence is increasing worldwide. Advances in diagnosing and treating coronary disease has saved countless lives, and has improved the quality of life for millions.

CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation saves thousands of lives each year, and gives people who otherwise would have died suddenly another chance at health.

Defibrillators, implantable and external
Implantable defibrillators are saving thousands of lives in patients who have a high risk of sudden death. Automatic external defibrilators are becoming ubiquitous in our society, and all citizens should be aware of them.

Echocardiograms
Echocardiograms create an image of the beating heart by bouncing sound waves off of the heart. This technique is superb at diagnosing many anatomical heart abnormalities.

Electrocardiograms - EKG, ECG
Electrocardiograms are recordings of the electrical activity of the heart. They can reveal vital information on heart attacks, heart muscle disorders, and heart rhythm disturbances

Electrophysiologic testing and ablation
Electrophysiology studies and ablation are used to study and treat many types of heart rhythm disturbances.

Exercise and the heart
Exercise is important in preventing heart disease, and often is an important component to treating heart disease. But there are times when exercise can pose a risk.

Heart attacks - myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) occur when a coronary artery becomes blocked, resulting in death of the heart muscle supplied by that artery. MIs are a leading cause of death in the U.S.

Heart failure - causes and treatment
Heart failure can be caused by any one of a multitude of cardiac disorders, and always presents a challenge both to the patient and the doctor.

Hypertension - high blood pressure
Hypertension is a leading cause of dangerous cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP)
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is one of the most commonly diagnosed, and one of the most commonly misunderstood, cardiac disorders.

Pacemakers
Pacemakers are implantable medical devices that prevent the heart rhythm from becoming too slow. Modern pacemakers serve additional functions as well.

Pericarditis, pericardial diseases
The pericardium is the fibrous sac enclosing the heart. Disorders of the pericardium can cause pain, shortness of breath, and even death.

Risk factors for cardiac disease
Risk factors for cardiac disease include: obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.

Stress testing
Links related to cardiac stress testing

Sudden death and its prevention
Sudden death, usually from heart arrhythmias, is a leading mode of death in the United States and much of the world.

Syncope (fainting)
Syncope (episodes of loss of consciousness) usually carry little long term significance, but sometimes portend a fatal event, and thus should be evaluated.

Vavlular heart disease
Valvular heart disease - excessive leakage or excessive tightness of the cardiac valves - is a common cause of heart failure.

Women and heart disease
There are striking differences in how heart disease affects women as compared to men, and how women (and their doctors) approach diseases of the heart.

Genetic factors in heart disease
Genetic factors can cause or predispose to various forms of heart disease.

Transplantation of the heart
Cardiac transplantation is an often successful - although last resort - means of treating end-stage heart disease.

Before You Buy
What you should know before you spend your money.

Top Picks by your Guide
Top picks for various products

Product Reviews
Review of products by your guide

Glossary of cardiology
Terms from glossary of cardiology

Symptoms associated with heart disease
Symptoms associated with heart disease

News and Commentary
DrRich comments on the latest news about heart disease and cardiology.