Heart Disease: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Increasing HDL
HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol, appears to scour the walls of blood vessels, cleaning out excess cholesterol. It then carries that excess cholesterol -- which otherwise might have been used to make the "plaques" that cause coronary artery disease -- back to the liver for processing. So when we measure a person's HDL cholesterol level, we seem to be measuring how vigorously his or her blood vessels are being "scrubbed" free of cholesterol.
HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol, appears to scour the walls of blood vessels, cleaning out excess cholesterol. It then carries that excess cholesterol -- which otherwise might have been used to make the "plaques" that cause coronary artery disease -- back to the liver for processing. So when we measure a person's HDL cholesterol level, we seem to be measuring how vigorously his or her blood vessels are being "scrubbed" free of cholesterol.
Red yeast rice
Red yeast rice for cholesterol
Red yeast rice for cholesterol
Chest pain
Chest pain - its causes, and how it should be evaluated
Chest pain - its causes, and how it should be evaluated
Cholesterol and triglycerides
Evaluation and treatment of cholesterol and triglyceride
Evaluation and treatment of cholesterol and triglyceride
Red yeast rice and lovastatin
An extract of red yeast rice, which contains lovastatin, can reduce cardiac risk, but since lovastatin-containing red yeast rice is banned in the United States, taking generic statins might be a better option.
An extract of red yeast rice, which contains lovastatin, can reduce cardiac risk, but since lovastatin-containing red yeast rice is banned in the United States, taking generic statins might be a better option.
Palpitations
When you're heartbeat feels unusually strong, or odd, it's known as a palpitation. Is it serious?
When you're heartbeat feels unusually strong, or odd, it's known as a palpitation. Is it serious?
bundle branch block
Bundle branch block - causes, significance, and treatment
Bundle branch block - causes, significance, and treatment
evaluating chest pain
how chest pain should be evaluated - how to tell if it's an emergency
how chest pain should be evaluated - how to tell if it's an emergency
PVCs
The evaluation and treatment of premature ventricular complexes, known as PVCs.
The evaluation and treatment of premature ventricular complexes, known as PVCs.
Trans fatty acids
Trans fatty acids - what they are, where they are, and what they do to your heart
Trans fatty acids - what they are, where they are, and what they do to your heart
cardiac symptoms
common symptoms associated with heart disease
common symptoms associated with heart disease
the MUGA scan
What the MUGA scan is used for in diagnosing heart disease
What the MUGA scan is used for in diagnosing heart disease
The statins
Statins are drugs that improve blood cholesterol levels. Their use results in a significant reduction in LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, and a moderate reduction in triglyceride levels, and an increase in levels of HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol).
Statins are drugs that improve blood cholesterol levels. Their use results in a significant reduction in LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, and a moderate reduction in triglyceride levels, and an increase in levels of HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol).
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.
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.
dysautonomia
The dysautonomias are serious medical disorders that are often missed, or dismissed
The dysautonomias are serious medical disorders that are often missed, or dismissed
Exercise and HDL
Duration of exercise correlates best with an increase in HDL cholesterol.
Duration of exercise correlates best with an increase in HDL cholesterol.
What Is "A Fib?"
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders, especially among older adults. Learn how it develops, and how its treated, from an expert electrophysiologist.
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders, especially among older adults. Learn how it develops, and how its treated, from an expert electrophysiologist.
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.
Diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure occur when the heart's ventricles become too stiff, leading to impaired filling of the ventricles with blood.
cardiac anatomy
A description of the heart's chambers and valves
A description of the heart's chambers and valves
Inappropriate sinus tachy
IST - inappropriate sinus tachycardia - what is it, and how is it treated?
IST - inappropriate sinus tachycardia - what is it, and how is it treated?
alcohol and the heart
Should doctors tell their patients about the benefits of alcohol?
Should doctors tell their patients about the benefits of alcohol?
pacemakers
pacemakers - what they are and do, how they are implanted and followed, and complications
pacemakers - what they are and do, how they are implanted and followed, and complications
amiodarone
The unique features of amiodarone
The unique features of amiodarone
benign chest wall pain
benign chest wall pain as a cause of chest pain
benign chest wall pain as a cause of chest pain
The Echocardiogram
A description of the echocardiogram and its uses
A description of the echocardiogram and its uses
lung disorders
lung problems as a cause of chest pain
lung problems as a cause of chest pain
Stress Test
A description of the stresss (or exercise) test
A description of the stresss (or exercise) test
Symptoms in women
Cardiac symptoms in women are often different than in men
Cardiac symptoms in women are often different than in men
waist-to-hip ratio
Waist-to-hip ratio more important than obesity itself in predicting cardiac risk
Waist-to-hip ratio more important than obesity itself in predicting cardiac risk
The Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A description of the electrocardiogram, how it is performed, and what it shows
A description of the electrocardiogram, how it is performed, and what it shows
unstable angina
Unstable angina - what is it, and how should it be treated?
Unstable angina - what is it, and how should it be treated?
heart attack
How do you know you're having a heart attack?
How do you know you're having a heart attack?
non cardiac syncope
Evaluating vaosmotor and vasovagal syncope
Evaluating vaosmotor and vasovagal syncope
Heart failure
Cardiomyopathy and heart failure - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and prognosis
Cardiomyopathy and heart failure - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and prognosis
Anxiety or Panic disorder
anxiety disorder as a cause of chest pain
anxiety disorder as a cause of chest pain
Thyroid and the heart
the cardiac effects of thyroid disease
the cardiac effects of thyroid disease
Nonprescription cholesterol
Lowering cholesterol levels without prescription drugs
Lowering cholesterol levels without prescription drugs
Jaw pain
jaw pain
jaw pain
Common heart tests
A summary of the most common heart tests used in cardiology
A summary of the most common heart tests used in cardiology
The MUGA scan in monitoring chemotherapy
The MUGA scan in monitoring breast cancer chemotherapy
The MUGA scan in monitoring breast cancer chemotherapy
How Does the Heart Beat?
The cardiac electrical system controls the heart rate and coordinates the contraction of cardiac muscle.
The cardiac electrical system controls the heart rate and coordinates the contraction of cardiac muscle.
exercise and the heart
Is an hour a day of exercise really necessary?
Is an hour a day of exercise really necessary?
treating syncope
treatment of vasovagal syncope
treatment of vasovagal syncope
symptoms
Symptom checker - symptoms associated with heart disease
Symptom checker - symptoms associated with heart disease
Syncope
Evaluating cardiac syncope - First let's make sure you don't die
Evaluating cardiac syncope - First let's make sure you don't die
pericarditis
Pericarditis - its causes, diagnosis, and treatment
Pericarditis - its causes, diagnosis, and treatment
mitral valve prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse - MVP - how it should be diagnosed and managed
Mitral valve prolapse - MVP - how it should be diagnosed and managed
EECP
EECP for angina
EECP for angina
Ablating AF
Ablation is a procedure performed during an electrophysiology study or in the surgical suite, during which a patient's heart arrhythmia is mapped, localized, and then destroyed.
Ablation is a procedure performed during an electrophysiology study or in the surgical suite, during which a patient's heart arrhythmia is mapped, localized, and then destroyed.
Heart Rhythm Problems
A review of what you need to know about cardiac arrhythmias, or heart rhythm problems.
A review of what you need to know about cardiac arrhythmias, or heart rhythm problems.
CRT for heart failure
Cardiac resynchronization therapy - CRT - for heart failure
Cardiac resynchronization therapy - CRT - for heart failure
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.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common congenital heart disorder that causes several varieties of heart problems – not the least of which is sudden death.
Assess your risk
You can assess your own risk for heart disease by answering a few simple questions
You can assess your own risk for heart disease by answering a few simple questions
What is Heart Disease?
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
heartburn
heartburn as a cause of chest pain
heartburn as a cause of chest pain
The electrophysiology study
the electrophysiology study
the electrophysiology study
treatment of hypertension
New treatment goals for hypertension
New treatment goals for hypertension
Cardiac cath
What you need to know about heart catheterization and angiography
What you need to know about heart catheterization and angiography
ejection fraction
Ejection fraction
Ejection fraction
blood clotting
How the blood clots, and how to prevent abnormal clotting
How the blood clots, and how to prevent abnormal clotting
pump head
Bypass surgery leaves some patients with permanent mental deficits
Bypass surgery leaves some patients with permanent mental deficits
angina
angina as a cause of chest pain
angina as a cause of chest pain
conjugated linoleic acid - CLA
Conjugated linoleic acid - CLA - reduces weight and improves body composition
Conjugated linoleic acid - CLA - reduces weight and improves body composition
palpitations and the Holter monitor
palpitations and the holter monitor
palpitations and the holter monitor
Rimonabant for weight loss
Latest study confirms favorable effects of rimonabant Rio North America, but toxicity may be a problem
Latest study confirms favorable effects of rimonabant Rio North America, but toxicity may be a problem
Policosanol for cholesterol
Non-prescription cholesterol lowering - policosanol
Non-prescription cholesterol lowering - policosanol
Stress and Heart Disease
Does stress really cause heart disease? Evidence shows that, while some kinds of stress are natural and healthy, other kinds of stress can promote heart disease
Does stress really cause heart disease? Evidence shows that, while some kinds of stress are natural and healthy, other kinds of stress can promote heart disease
cardiac arrhythmias
Brief review of cardiac arrhythmias
Brief review of cardiac arrhythmias
Patent foramen ovale
Patent foramen ovale - diagnosis or incidental finding?
Patent foramen ovale - diagnosis or incidental finding?
Tilt Table Testing
tilt table testing for syncope
tilt table testing for syncope
Nuclear scans
Description of the nuclear perfusion studies - thallium and sestamibi
Description of the nuclear perfusion studies - thallium and sestamibi
Plant sterols for cholesterol
Plant sterols for cholesterol lowering
Plant sterols for cholesterol lowering
Diastolic HF Symptoms
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.
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.
Treating Diastolic Failure
Treating diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure mainly depends on treating underlying causes, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease.
Treating diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure mainly depends on treating underlying causes, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease.
Prinzmetal's angina
Prinzemetal's angina is chest pain due to severe coronary artery spasm
Prinzemetal's angina is chest pain due to severe coronary artery spasm
EBT - Ultrafast CT - scans
Are EBT - also called Ultrafast CT - scans worth the money and the heartache?
Are EBT - also called Ultrafast CT - scans worth the money and the heartache?
Holter Monitors and Event R...
the Holter monitor and event recorder in evaluating heart arrhythmias and palpitations
the Holter monitor and event recorder in evaluating heart arrhythmias and palpitations
peptic ulcer
peptic ulcer as a cause of chest pain
peptic ulcer as a cause of chest pain
Lightheadedness
Lightheadedness
Lightheadedness
Treating cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy and heart failure - treatment
Cardiomyopathy and heart failure - treatment
sudden death after MI
Sudden death after heart attacks - the MADIT II study
Sudden death after heart attacks - the MADIT II study
Preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation
A new model - CHADS - helps to predict the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation
A new model - CHADS - helps to predict the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation
CRP levels
CRP levels may be as predictive as cholesterol for cardiac risk
CRP levels may be as predictive as cholesterol for cardiac risk
3-drug regimen for HDL
A regimen of 3 drugs significantly raised HDL levels
A regimen of 3 drugs significantly raised HDL levels
Coronary calcium scores
The American Heart Association finally recommends coronary artery calcium scores by CT scans for some
The American Heart Association finally recommends coronary artery calcium scores by CT scans for some
coronary artery spasm
Coronary artery spasm as a cause of chest pain
Coronary artery spasm as a cause of chest pain
preventing heart disease
Preventing heart disease
Preventing heart disease
aortic stenosis
aortic stenosis its causes and treatment
aortic stenosis its causes and treatment
When your CRP is high
Your CRP level is high - what should you do now?
Your CRP level is high - what should you do now?
Causes of atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation can be caused by underlying heart disease, thyroid disease, lung disease, drugs and other ingested substances, or can have no clear cause.
Atrial fibrillation can be caused by underlying heart disease, thyroid disease, lung disease, drugs and other ingested substances, or can have no clear cause.
MVP - mitral valve propapse
mitral valve prolapse as a cause of chest pain
mitral valve prolapse as a cause of chest pain
Treating AF
There are two basic approaches to the treatment of atrial fibrillation -- controlling the heart rate, or restoring a normal rhythm.
There are two basic approaches to the treatment of atrial fibrillation -- controlling the heart rate, or restoring a normal rhythm.
Chest pain, normal coronaries
Three conditions that produce anginal chest pain with "normal" coronary arteries
Three conditions that produce anginal chest pain with "normal" coronary arteries
LDL cholesterol guidelines
Expert panel recommends much lower target levels for LDL cholesterol
Expert panel recommends much lower target levels for LDL cholesterol
treating heart disease
articles on the treatment of heart disease
articles on the treatment of heart disease
cardiomyopathy
Heart muscle problems - cardiomyopathy
Heart muscle problems - cardiomyopathy
salt restriction
A new spin on the necessity of salt restriction for hypertension
A new spin on the necessity of salt restriction for hypertension
CRP guidelines
Guidelines for when to measure CRP levels
Guidelines for when to measure CRP levels
Long QT syndrome
Long QT syndrome - torsades de pointes
Long QT syndrome - torsades de pointes
coronary arteries
Normal coronary artery anatomy
Normal coronary artery anatomy
Irregular heart beat
irregular heart beat
irregular heart beat
Shrinking plaques
A new synthetic HDL shrinks coronary artery plaques.
A new synthetic HDL shrinks coronary artery plaques.
What is causing my chest pain?
What is causing my chest pain?
What is causing my chest pain?
bundle branch block
bundle branch block
bundle branch block
transesophageal echocardiogram
The transesophageal echocardiogram
The transesophageal echocardiogram
broken heart syndrome
Can you really die from a broken heart?
Can you really die from a broken heart?
antiarrhythmic drugs for AF
Antiarrhythmic drugs can be difficult and dangerous to use in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
Antiarrhythmic drugs can be difficult and dangerous to use in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
HDL frontiers
Major efforts are being made to find ways of raising HDL levels
Major efforts are being made to find ways of raising HDL levels
Stupid on statins
While some insist that statins produce cognitive disorders, studies to date have failed to prove an association between statins and memory loss. Learn more about this purported statin side effect.
While some insist that statins produce cognitive disorders, studies to date have failed to prove an association between statins and memory loss. Learn more about this purported statin side effect.
Women and heart disease
Two common misapprehensions are held by both women and their doctors: women don't really get much heart disease, and when they do, it behaves pretty much like the heart disease that men get. The real facts are that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and when women get heart disease it often acts quite differently than it does in men.
Two common misapprehensions are held by both women and their doctors: women don't really get much heart disease, and when they do, it behaves pretty much like the heart disease that men get. The real facts are that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and when women get heart disease it often acts quite differently than it does in men.
diagnosing heart disease
tests commonly used to diagnose heart disease
tests commonly used to diagnose heart disease
Viagra in heart disease
Viagra (sildenafil) can be used safely in most patients with heart disease
Viagra (sildenafil) can be used safely in most patients with heart disease
history of amiodarone
Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), the most effective and most toxic antiarrhythmic drug, has a unique very strange history.
Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), the most effective and most toxic antiarrhythmic drug, has a unique very strange history.
Cardiac syndrome x
Cardiac syndrome x - chest pain with normal coronary arteries
Cardiac syndrome x - chest pain with normal coronary arteries
Restenosis
Restenosis remains a challenge after angioplasty and stenting
Restenosis remains a challenge after angioplasty and stenting
low fats vs low carbs
Low fat diets vs low carbohydrate diets - is there common ground?
Low fat diets vs low carbohydrate diets - is there common ground?
ENHANCE and cholesterol
Now that the ENHANCE trial results are available, how viable is the idea that lower LDL cholesterol is still important?
Now that the ENHANCE trial results are available, how viable is the idea that lower LDL cholesterol is still important?
Why Dizziness Occurs
Dizziness is often a symptom of heart problems, particular irregular heart beats.
Dizziness is often a symptom of heart problems, particular irregular heart beats.
surviving a heart attack
Preventing sudden death after a heart attack
Preventing sudden death after a heart attack
Tachycardias
Tachycardias are fast heart rhythm disturbances. They are categorized as either the supraventricular tachycardias or ventricular tachycardia.
Tachycardias are fast heart rhythm disturbances. They are categorized as either the supraventricular tachycardias or ventricular tachycardia.
cardiac risk factors
The cardiac risk factors
The cardiac risk factors
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.
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.
significance of palpitations
significance of palpitations
significance of palpitations
Credentials
checking your doctors credentials
checking your doctors credentials
Heart Failure Basics
The basics of heart failure and cardiomyopathy - causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
The basics of heart failure and cardiomyopathy - causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
muscle cramps
Muscle cramps
Muscle cramps
peanuts and the heart
Peanuts are also good for the heart
Peanuts are also good for the heart
Cardiac Ablation
Ablation procedures treat abnormal electrical pathways in the heart. These procedures can sometimes eliminate certain heart arrhythmias.
Ablation procedures treat abnormal electrical pathways in the heart. These procedures can sometimes eliminate certain heart arrhythmias.
cholesterol triglcyerides
Articles about cholesterol and triglycerides
Articles about cholesterol and triglycerides
South Beach Diet
Why the newest low-carb South Beach diet makes sense.
Why the newest low-carb South Beach diet makes sense.
heart attack checklist
A checklist of what should happen after a heart attack
A checklist of what should happen after a heart attack
Coronary artery disease
An overview of coronary artery disease, its diagnosis and treatment
An overview of coronary artery disease, its diagnosis and treatment
Female-pattern CAD
A newly recognized pattern of coronary artery disease in women can be difficult to diagnose
A newly recognized pattern of coronary artery disease in women can be difficult to diagnose
syncope and seizures
Patients with vasovagal syncope (simple fainting spells) often receive the mistaken diagnosis of seizure disorder, or epilepsy.
Patients with vasovagal syncope (simple fainting spells) often receive the mistaken diagnosis of seizure disorder, or epilepsy.
a fib: restoring normal rhythm
In atrial fibrillation, restoring and maintaining a normal heart rhythm is both difficult and potentially risky, but sometimes an effective treatment.
In atrial fibrillation, restoring and maintaining a normal heart rhythm is both difficult and potentially risky, but sometimes an effective treatment.
Stent restenosis
Is it safe to stop Plavix for surgery after drug-coated stents?
Is it safe to stop Plavix for surgery after drug-coated stents?
The ENHANCE Trial
The ENHANCE trial, designed to show that lowering cholesterol with Vytorin works better than lowering cholesterol with a statin, did not turn out the way the designers had hoped.
The ENHANCE trial, designed to show that lowering cholesterol with Vytorin works better than lowering cholesterol with a statin, did not turn out the way the designers had hoped.
coronary artery disease
Brief summary of coronary artery disease
Brief summary of coronary artery 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.
Heart arrhythmias can be treated with antiarrhythmic drugs, AV nodal blocking drugs, beta blockers, statins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
C-reactive protein and fibrinogen - newer risk factors for coronary artery disease
C-reactive protein and fibrinogen - newer risk factors for coronary artery disease
C-reactive protein and fibrinogen - newer risk factors for coronary artery disease
PACs
PACs, or premature atrial complexes, are the most common heart arrhythmias.
PACs, or premature atrial complexes, are the most common heart arrhythmias.
Drug coated stent problems
Problems reported with the drug coated stent
Problems reported with the drug coated stent
When to measure CRP
The pros and cons of measuring CRP levels
The pros and cons of measuring CRP levels
Women minimize symptoms
Women minimize symptoms of heart disease, leading to suboptimal care
Women minimize symptoms of heart disease, leading to suboptimal care
Cardiac conditions in women
Cardiac conditions that are diagnosed as "anxiety"
Cardiac conditions that are diagnosed as "anxiety"
Robotic heart surgery - a status report
an update on the status of robotic heart surgery
an update on the status of robotic heart surgery
Flying with heart disease
Is it safe to fly when you have a heart problem? Here are guidelines for flying with heart disease.
Is it safe to fly when you have a heart problem? Here are guidelines for flying with heart disease.
aortic dissection
Aortic dissection as a cause of chest pain
Aortic dissection as a cause of chest pain
Controlling Symptoms
Atrial fibrillation can be treated by using medications to control the heart rate, and coumadin to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Atrial fibrillation can be treated by using medications to control the heart rate, and coumadin to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Treating cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy and heart failure - getting what you need from your doctor
Cardiomyopathy and heart failure - getting what you need from your doctor