Articles on Medical Diseases and Conditions

Entries Tagged ‘High Blood Pressure’

Other Imaging Techniques

Still more advanced technologies can be used to study your heart’s structure and function. These procedures include computed tomogra- phy (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and positron emission tomography (PET). Such techniques are used to get more detailed information or to avoid more invasive procedures. These scanners are not available at […]

Multiunit Gated Blood Pool Scan (MUGA)

A multiunit gated blood pool scan (MUGA) is an assessment of how your blood pools in your heart during rest or exercise, or both. The test shows how well the heart pumps blood and whether it has to compen- sate for blocked arteries. It also reliably measures your ejection fraction, which is the percentage of […]

Evaluating a Heart Problem

If you experience any symptoms that might be indicators of a heart problem—such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or a pounding heart—see your doctor immediately. He or she will interview you thoroughly about your medical history and symptoms and then do a physical examination to try to detect what might be causing the symptoms. […]

Physical Examinations and Diagnostic Tests

The best way to monitor your health is to see your doctor and work together as a team for your health. Many of the major risk factors (such as blood pressure and cholesterol) are apparent only with a med- ical examination. The earlier you can identify a problem area and start to work on it, […]

Stress

In addition to the major risk factors for heart disease (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, smoking, and diabetes), stress can be a contributing factor. The effects of stress on your heart health are dif?cult to study and quantify in part because people not only expe- rience different levels of stress, but they also […]

Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when the blood vessels in the leg are narrowed or plugged by the buildup of plaque. Atherosclerosis, the process that causes PAD, tends to start earlier in life and progress more rapidly in people with diabetes. In most people, PAD is symptomless in its early stages. If the disease progresses […]

Controlling High Blood Pressure

As many as two out of three people with diabetes have high blood pres- sure. The only way to know you have high blood pressure is to be tested. If you have diabetes, you should have your blood pressure checked every time you go to a doctor, or at least two to four times a […]

Preventing a Heart Attack

A major concern is to prevent coronary artery disease (the most com- mon form of cardiovascular disease), which can lead to a heart attack. Your doctor will work with you to make the lifestyle changes that will help you minimize your risk of heart attack. Your goal is to keep your blood glucose, blood pressure, […]

Controlling Diabetes

For a variety of reasons, diabetes is increasing in the American pop- ulation at an alarming rate, even among younger people. Most authorities place most of the blame on the increase in overweight and obesity, along with a sedentary lifestyle. Diabetes is a serious disease in which the body does not produce or properly use […]

Strategies for Losing Weight

If you are overweight or obese, you and your doctor can start immedi- ately to bring your weight down. It’s not easy to con- template making major changes in your eating and exercise habits, but it is possible—and a positive attitude is a big help. Try to drink at least eight glasses of ?uid a day; […]