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Heart Rhythm Institute Blog
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
Posted on February 15th, 2018
Dizziness includes a range of symptoms, including feeling faint, unsteady, or weak. Sometimes people who feel dizzy say they feel like the room is spinning, which is commonly called vertigo.
Many adults experience dizziness at some point in time. While frequent dizzy spells can interfere with daily activities, they don’t typically signal a life-threatening condition.
There are a long... Read More
Posted on February 1st, 2018
Heart murmurs are not a specific disease, but rather a sound that your heart makes as it beats. Through a stethoscope, a heart murmur sounds like a whooshing or swishing noise. Heart murmurs can be congenital, meaning a condition you are born with, or may develop over time due to valve disease or other underlying issues.
There are two basic types of heart murmurs: innocent and abnormal. Many... Read More
Posted on January 15th, 2018
Atrial fibrillation (or AFib) alone is not a life threatening condition, but it can lead to an increased risk of stroke and an increased risk of heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart doesn’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
In AFib, the heart doesn’t beat properly, which means it also can’t fill up completely to pump blood to the body. When... Read More
Posted on January 2nd, 2018
Orthostatic hypotension is a form of low blood pressure than happens when standing up from either a sitting or a lying position. It can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, and it may even make you faint.
The condition can be mild and last for only a few minutes, but some cases of orthostatic hypotension may last longer and could be a symptom of a more serious illness. If you frequently feel... Read More