Heart Rhythm Institute
Posted on August 3rd, 2018
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a relatively common condition affecting more than 80 million people in the United States. Untreated high blood pressure can result in heart attack, heart failure, stroke, aneurysm, vision loss, and other serious conditions.
As your heart beats and blood moves through your body, it pushes against the sides of your blood vessels. The strength at which... Read More
Posted on July 23rd, 2018
Atherosclerosis is a condition affecting the arteries, which are responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your body. Atherosclerosis involves the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances on the artery walls. The buildup is called plaque, and it can restrict blood flow in the body.
Reduced blood flow through your arteries means less oxygen supplied to the organs and... Read More
Posted on July 2nd, 2018
Atrial fibrillation (commonly known as AFib) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in the United States and affects approximately 5.5 million people. Symptoms include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, light-headedness, dizziness, and sometimes passing out.
On its own, atrial fibrillation is not generally a life threatening condition, but it can cause stroke or congestive heart... Read More
Posted on June 15th, 2018
Myocarditis is a rare but serious disease involving inflammation of the heart muscle, or myocardium. Myocarditis can cause damage to the heart muscle and may affect the heart’s electrical system, which can reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood and cause rapid or abnormal heart rhythms.
What causes myocarditis?
Most cases of myocarditis are caused by a viral infection, and it... Read More
Posted on June 1st, 2018
Deep vein thrombosis, commonly known as DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein in the body, typically in the leg or thigh. If the clot breaks loose, it can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which can cause permanent damage to the lungs and other organs and even result in death.
DVT occurs when something limits circulation of the blood or when abnormal clotting occurs.... Read More
Posted on May 17th, 2018
Veins are an important part of the circulatory system as they help carry blood from the body back to the heart. Veins have valves that open and close to prevent the backflow of blood into the legs. When the valves in the veins stop working correctly, the blood backflows and begins to collect in your legs.
The early symptoms of vein disease may seem minor and patients may dismiss them as a... Read More
Posted on May 1st, 2018
Endocarditis is inflammation in the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valves, which is called the endocardium. It typically occurs when bacteria or germs from another part of your body enter the bloodstream and spread to your heart. If not treated quickly, endocarditis can cause severe damage to the heart valves and result in life-threatening complications.
Symptoms of... Read More
Posted on April 16th, 2018
A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. Often referred to as a mini stroke, a TIA has symptoms similar to a stroke but typically only lasts a few minutes.
What are the symptoms of a TIA?
The symptoms of a TIA are similar to early warning signs of a stroke, including the sudden onset or any of the following symptoms.
Weakness, numbness, or... Read More
Posted on April 3rd, 2018
Blood thinners, or anticoagulants, can be a lifesaving medication for many people. They prevent blood from getting too thick and prevent clots from forming, which can reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack. They can also help slow the growth of any existing clots.
There are many types of prescription blood thinners—some that have been available for decades and some that are newer... Read More
Posted on March 1st, 2018
The human heart is a powerful organ—one of the most powerful in the entire body! As the heart beats, it delivers oxygen-rich blood to the entire body. As anyone with a heart rhythm issue or heart disease can tell you, a poorly functioning heart can have a significant impact on daily life.
But how exactly does the heart work? There are four chambers in the heart that together function... Read More