All of us, when we are excited or afraid, have an increase in our pulse and a rise in the pressure inside our blood vessels. Many people have this kind of increase in pressure even when they are not excited or afraid. This condition is called “high blood pressure.”     High blood pressure is [...]

HEART ATTACK: ARE YOU AT RISK? Heart attacks can be prevented, yet millions of people in the western world increase their risk of having a heart attack by some things they do every day. Lifestyle can contribute to, or prevent, a heart attack. The first step you can take to reduce your chance for having [...]

Valvular heart disease affects the valves of the heart. Only four valves service the heart. Their job is to allow the blood to flow through the heart in only one direction. To work properly, each valve must open and close completely at the right time.     The heart valves can develop problems or disease [...]

The heart normally beats about 60 to 80 times each minute. The pattern is regular, and increases or decreases in response to activity levels. Special heart cells send electrical signals throughout the heart. These signals cause the heart muscle to contract. This squeezes blood from the heart to the body and the lungs.     [...]

The most common heart problems in childhood are congenital. That is, the problems are present at birth. Babies with severe congenital heart problems may need surgery at an early age to survive. These babies will have symptoms at birth.     More often the heart can have a small abnormality that may or may not [...]

Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the coronary arteries are narrowed and blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced. The heart gets its nourishment from the coronary arteries. These arteries branch off from the main artery (the aorta) right into the heart muscle itself. They carry nutrients and oxygen to the heart [...]

The American Heart Association recommends several steps that can be taken to prevent heart attacks:   quit smoking lower your blood cholesterol level if it is high exercise regularly lose excess weight and keep your blood pressure within healthy limits If you smoke, STOP NOW. A smoker’s chance of heart attack is more than twice [...]

Healthy eating is very important for a healthy heart. Eating more calories than your body burns will cause the extra calories to be stored as body fat. People who have too much body fat have a higher risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Excess weight puts strain on the heart. It raises blood pressure [...]

Heart disease can be prevented. Our everyday choices determine our risk for developing or preventing heart disease. When unhealthy lifestyle habits are practiced, our risk increases greatly. Healthy lifestyle habits are crucial factors to preventing heart disease.     The American Heart Association recommends the following:   quit smoking keep your blood pressure within healthy [...]