Transient ischemic attack (TIA) facts A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief interruption of blood flow to part of the brain that causes temporary stroke-like symptoms. The risks for TIA are the same as for heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease, and include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and family history....
What is warfarin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant, a drug that inhibits the clotting of blood. It prevents the formation of blood clots by reducing the production of factors by the liver that promote clotting, factors II, VII, IX, and X, and the anticoagulant proteins C and...
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Plavix (clopidogrel) quick overview Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Ibuprofen also is used to treat pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and menstrual cramps. Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) is an antiplatelet drug prescribed to...
What is procainamide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Procainamide is an injectable antiarrhythmic drug that is used to correct disturbances in the heart's rhythm. Three actions are responsible for its ability to correct disturbances of rhythm and prevent their recurrence. Procainamide decreases the speed of electrical conduction through the heart muscle, prolongs...
What is a heart attack? What is a stroke? Are they the same? Share Your Story If you think either you or someone near you is having either a heart attack or stroke, you should call 911 immediately, even if you are not sure. What is a heart attack? Heart attack occurs when sudden damage...
What is an ultrasound? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story While the patient's history and physical examination are the initial steps of making a medical diagnosis, the ability to peer inside the body can be a powerful tool. Ultrasound is an imaging technique that provides that ability to medical practitioners. Ultrasound produces sound waves that...
What is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome? Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a specific type of abnormality of the electrical system of the heart. This syndrome causes a specific pattern on an electrocardiogram (Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern) and is linked to an episode of rapid heart rates, such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or atrial fibrillation. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a treatable medical condition....
Exercise Stress Test Introduction A stress test can be used to test for heart disease. Stress tests are tests performed by a doctor and/or trained technician to determine the amount of stress that your heart can manage before developing either an abnormal rhythm or evidence of ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle)....
Vascular disease includes any condition that affects the circulatory system. As the heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels called the circulatory system. The vessels are elastic tubes that carry blood to every part of the body. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins return it. Vascular disease ranges...
Myocardial Biopsy Introduction A heart biopsy, also called myocardial biopsy or cardiac biopsy, is an invasive procedure to detect heart disease that involves using a bioptome (a small catheter with a grasping device on the end) to obtain a small piece of heart muscle tissue that is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Why Do...