Angina Pectoris is the medical condition that refers to chest pain. It is due to the insufficient amount of oxygen supply to the heart. The accumulated fatty plaques or blood clots that obstruct the coronary artery (artery that supplies blood to the heart) are the main reasons for the occurrence of this condition. Below are the important facts of angina pectoris. The cause of Angina Pectoris is due to insufficient amount of oxygen to the cardiac muscle. Predisposing factors related to chest pain are activities (too much exertion), climate (extreme cold weather), eating pattern (heavy meals), and stress (emotional conflict and anxiety). Sometimes, chest pain can occur even the person is at rest. The quality of pain associated with angina pectoris is commonly described as squeezing, vise-like heavy, pressing and tightness of the chest. Other times, the person suffering from this condition complains of burning sensation at the chest area (heartburn). The locations of pa

The increased pressure of the blood in the blood vessels is called hypertension. Nowadays, there are millions of people throughout the world, who are becoming the victims of this dreadful disease. Yet, they are unaware of the serious implications that this condition poses on their health. Sometimes, people are also not aware, that they have hypertension. In majority of the people, it is diagnosed accidentally, during routine health check-ups. What are the types of Hypertension? The normal blood pressure of a person is 120/80 mmHg. If the blood pressure of a person exceeds 140/90 mmHg, when taken on three separate occasions of a week, it is called hypertension.  Prehypertension: It is a condition, which predisposes to hypertension. When the systolic blood pressure of a person (pressure when the heart contracts) is between 120 to 139 mmHg, and the diastolic pressure of a person (pressure when the heart relaxes) is between 80 to 89 mmHg, it is called Pre-Hypertension. 

Rheumatic fever is affecting many people throughout the world, yet many people are not aware about this disease. Generally, people think that this is some sort of fever, by looking at its name, but this is one of the most important conditions related to the heart. Rheumatic fever is a type of hypersensitivity reaction. Hypersensitivity is the abnormal or excessive reaction of the immune system to certain particles called antigens. Antigens are any substances, which your body recognizes as being foreign to your body, or as foreign particles. Rheumatic fever is a type 2 hypersensitivity reaction. Why is Rheumatic fever caused? Rheumatic fever is caused due to the infection of the body with a bacteria called Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes. This Bacterium enters the body from sore throat or when having certain types of skin infection, which enters the body through the wounds. So, we need to be really careful when we suffer

What is cholesterol -it is a waxy steroid of fat produced in liver or intestine, used for the synthesis of hormones and cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. Cholesterol is a very important structural component of plasma membrane of mammals required for maintaining proper membrane permeability and fluidity. It is also an essential agent required for the manufacture of bile acids, steroid hormones and vitamin D. It is the principal steroid synthesized by animals however, smaller amounts are also produced in plants and fungi. Cholesterol is entirely absent among prokaryotes. If its concentration increases in blood then the risk of cardiovascular diseases increases so its level must be kept under control. The word cholesterol has originated from a Greek word and was first discovered by Francois Poulletier de la Salle in gallstones in solid form in 1769 but, chemical identification was done by Eugène Chevreul in 1815 who gave the term cholester

Frequent and acute Rheumatic Fever (RF) is considered as a systemic form of heart disease. It usually occurs during childhood period. The disease itself develops after sore throat (streptococcal infection). On the other hand, Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) refers to the condition which includes the signs and symptoms of RF and swelling of the heart (inflammation of inner, middle and outer part of the heart). This condition usually occurs if there is problem with the vein and artery. Commonly, RF can affect children ages 5 to 15 and the condition is considered as a lifelong disease. The treatment goals for this type of heart disease includes: People who have RF or RHD need to have stable vital signs. The rate and the rhythm of the heart should remain within normal limits; If infection subsided, they need to increase the level of their daily activities; Anyone who is suffering from this condition should be free from pain; and They need to verbalize their understanding wi

Physical examination for people with heart diseases is very important. It provides baseline data for medical doctor to properly evaluate the current condition(*health status) of the person. Moreover, it is highly recommended that people ages 40 and above needs to have annual check-up. This is to monitor the overall state of well-being. Disease of the heart is the leading cause of death to elderly people. That is why they need to undergo series of tests to check the status of their heart. Below are the possible physical evaluation done by the doctors to assess the heart condition.  Body Mass Index (BMI*)   The BMI refers to the weight of the person in relation to its height. It provides an acceptable estimation of the body fats. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, a BMI of lesser than 18.5 is described as underweight. People with BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 are considered normal. Those who have 24 to 29.9 are considered as overweight and people who ha

Several studies and researches from around the globe recommend that taking sufficient amount of vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamin) and folic acid (folacin) can help maintain healthy blood vessels and heart. Folic Acid, B6 and B12 works in combination to help lower the blood level of homocysteine (a natural form of protein that is broken down in the blood). Scientific study shows that low level of homocysteine can reduce the risk of the person from getting heart diseases.  The most leading sources of folic acids are ready-to-eat cereals, veggies, fruits, dry beans, enriched breads, and citric juices. In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required folic acid to be added in the enriched grain-based staples like rice, pasta and bread. On the same issue, the FDA also authorized ready-to-eat cereals to be completely fortified of folic acid up to 100% of the daily value (400 mcg). The only food allowed containing this high