Browsing Category

Cardiovascular Health : Health & Medical

Risks & Benefits of an Artificial Heart

According to the Food and Drug Administration, an artificial heart is a two pound device that is implanted in an individual's chest after the removal of a diseased heart. The artificial heart contains both an electrical unit and a battery. An individual with an artificial heart can rely...

Asthma & Heart Rate in Children

A study published by the University of Florida Health Science Center in 1999 showed the variety of factors that indicate severity of asthma exacerbation, including elevated heart rate. Heart rate is variable based on age, with normal heart rate for children between 1 year and 10 years being 70 to 12

Healthy Cholesterol Levels for Men

High cholesterol levels put men at risk for heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 10 percent of American men already have heart disease, which is their No. 1 killer. Knowing what your cholesterol levels should be and working to reduce your levels, i

Does Smoking Raise Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance in blood that is an important part of cell formation, hormone production and other bodily functions. However, in elevated amounts, it is dangerous, and even deadly. Smoking has indeed been shown to raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL)--the bad cholestero

Gender Prediction Myths

The only certain way to tell the gender of an unborn child is through amniocentesis. However, there are a number of myths on ways to predict the gender of a baby while a woman is pregnant.

Informed Consent: Theory Versus Practice

The author discusses how consent procedures should be adapted to match a patients' degree of involvement in the decision and capacity to understand in light of how things are in the real world.

Stroke as a Cause of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a slow progression of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (slow movements) and difficulties keeping a normal posture. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be caused by several disease processes, one of which is stroke. Read on and learn how a stroke can cause what is k

Interobserver Reliability of Echocardiography in PE

This study found considerable differences in the interobserver reproducibility of echocardiographic findings in patients with pulmonary embolism. Which measurement was the least user dependant?

How to Use Food to Increase HDL Levels

Since the 1960s, cholesterol has been vilified as heart disease fodder. High-density lipoproteins (HDL)--the "good" cholesterol--scavenges excess cholesterol in the blood and conveniently returns it to the liver for disposal. Low HDL cholesterol has been linked to heart disease.The higher the HDL le

Reeve's Brain Responds to Movement

New tests show that, despite paralysis, actor Christopher Reeve's brain circuits still act much the same as anyone else's.

How do I Know If the Implanted Demand Pacemaker Is Working?

There are two main types of pacemakers, one of which is the demand pacemaker. A demand pacemaker works by monitoring your heartbeat and emitting electrical pulses to correct a heartbeat that is too slow or too fast. While your doctor will check the function of the device several times every year, yo

How to Determine Heart Rate on an ECG

It is a relatively easy process to determine the heart rate by correctly reading an ECG chart. Once you have correctly identified the waves, you can quickly and efficiently determine the heart rate. Accurately follow the steps outlined below to master this straightforward process.

Drug May Aid Aspirin After Ministroke

Researchers have spotted a drug combination (aspirin and the antiplatelet drug dipyridamole) that may help survivors of ministrokes and minor strokes.

Brain 'Pacemaker' Treats Parkinson's

New research confirms that the surgical procedure known as deep-brain stimulation is a more effective treatment for many patients with Parkinson's disease than drug therapy alone.

What is a Big Stroke in the Cerebral Cortex?

A large stroke is a stroke that affects the cerebral cortex, the largest part of the brain. Learn what the cerebral cortex does and how a stroke of the cerebral cortex can affect a stroke victim.