Heart Disease

DOCTOR Q & A:

Read what doctors have to say about heart attacks or ask your own question. Select another topic: Choose One ---------- Angina Arthritis Asthma Breast Cancer Carpal Tunnel Cerv. Cancer Cold Sores Common Cold Constipation Contraception Coronary Art. Depression Diabetes Diet/Nutrition Ectopic Preg. Elbow Endometriosis Eye GRD Heart Attack Hemorrhoids Hepatitis C Hernia Herpes H. Blood Press. HIV Infection Hypothyroid Hysterectomy Impotence Incontinence Irr. Menses Itch Knee Problems Lice Medications Menopause Miscarriage Narcolepsy Organ Trans. Pneumonia Poisons Pregnancy Prost. Cancer Psoriasis Rhm. Arthritis Smoking Snoring Sports Injuries Stomach Flu Strep Throat Supplements Thyroid Vaginal Infect. Viagra Weight Gain Weight Loss

WEB LINKS:

Visit other Web sites related to heart disease. Select another topic: Choose One ---------- ADHD AIDS Alzheimers Angina Asthma Back Pain Breast Cancer Bronchitis CFS Colon Cancer Common Cold Depression Diabetes Digestion Emphysema Flu Hay Fever Heart Disease Hodgkins Hypertension IBS Kidney Cancer Leukemia Liver Cancer Lung Cancer Lupus Lymphoma Measles Melanoma Menopause MS Osteoporosis Ovar. Cancer PMS Pregnancy Prost. Cancer Rectal Cancer SAD Schizophrenia Sickle Cell Sinusitis STDs Stroke Test. Cancer TMJ Toxic Shock Ulcers Uterine Cancer

HELP AT HOME:

Try these tips for dealing with chest pain. Select another topic: Choose One ---------- Acne Alcoholism Anemia Anxiety Asthma Athlete's Foot Backaches Breast Cancer Bronchitis Burns Chest Pain Chlamydia Common Cold Cold Hands Constipation Corns Cough Cuts & Scrapes Dent. Abscess Depression Diarrhea Earache Eat. Disorder Eczema Endometriosis Eye Strain Eye Sty Fainting Fatigue Fever Fibroids Flatulence Flu Frostbite Genital Herpes Gonorrhea Gum Disease Hair Loss Hay Fever Headaches Hearing Loss Heartburn Hemorrhoids Hiccups Hives Incontinence Insect Stings Insomnia Jock Itch Laryngitis Lice Measles Menopause Menst. Cramps Nosebleeds Ovarian Cysts Pinkeye PMS Poison Ivy Prostate Rash Rash (Kids) Rep. Motion Seizures Shingles Shoulder/Neck Sinus Snoring Sore Throat Sports Injuries Sprains Stress Sunburn Syphilis Test. Cancer Tinnitus TMJ Tonsillitis Toothaches Toxic Shock UTI Varicose Veins Vomit/Nausea Yeast Infect.

COMMUNITY Create a profile for personalized information and support about HEART DISEASE ENCYCLOPEDIA Get more in-depth information about: HEART DISEASE HEART FAILURE SEARCH WEBMD Enter a topic:

Heart disease is another term for coronary artery disease or CAD. The surface of the heart is laced with arteries that carry oxygen to the heart muscle. When these coronary arteries become clogged with fatty deposits (atherosclerosis), the heart cannot get the oxygen and other nutrients it needs. A sudden complete blockage of one of these vessels results in a heart attack.

The risk factors for heart disease that a person can actually change are smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, lack of exercise, obesity, diabetes and stress. Other factors that are out of a person's control include a family history of heart disease, male gender and increasing age.

Mild and sometimes even severe coronary artery disease may exist without symptoms. Pressure, aching or a burning sensation in the chest, known as angina, is an indication that blood flow through the coronary arteries has diminished. A previous heart attack is also a signal that arteries are blocked. Congestive heart failure, characterized by fatigue, breathing difficulties and fluid retention, is another sign of heart disease.

Depending upon how advanced heart disease is, it can be treated with one or more of the following:

1. Lifestyle changes to prevent progression of heart disease by eliminating controllable risk factors.

2. Medications to prevent blood clots, control blood pressure, lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar levels in check.

3. Surgery to open or replace blocked coronary arteries and restore adequate blood flow to the heart.

• Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
• Quit smoking.
• Maintain good control over diabetes.