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The heart is the hollow, muscular organ in the thoracic cavity (chest) that maintains the circulation of blood throughout the body. It is surrounded by a membrane called the pericardium. The pericardium consists…

Q: How would I know if I were having a heart attack?

Often, it is not easy to tell. But there are symptoms people may have. These are: an uncomfortable pressure,…

Incidence and Prevalence
According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States; and, in adults, heart attacks cause 1 out of every…

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart muscle). When blood cannot reach…

Some heart attack signs and symptoms are sudden and intense ... the classic “movie” heart attack signs. No one doubts what’s happening when they see these signs…

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. CHD is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood…

There are millions of people who have survived a heart attack. Many recover fully and are able to lead normal lives.

If you have already had a heart attack, your goals…

Diagnosis (and treatment) of a heart attack can begin when emergency medical personnel arrive after you call 9-1-1. Don’t put off calling 9-1-1 because you are not sure that you are…

A heart attack is a medical emergency. Delaying treatment can mean lasting damage to your heart or even death. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances of recovering. Your treatment…

There are about 500,000 heart attack deaths in the U.S. each year. At least 250,000 people die before they even get to the hospital. Many of these deaths could be prevented by…

coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries) become hardened and narrowed. The arteries harden and become narrow due to the buildup of…

Angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh)

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood. Angina may feel like pressure or a squeezing pain in your chest. The…

Atherosclerosis (ath-er-o-skle-RO-sis) is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. It is caused by the slow buildup of plaque (plak) on the inside of walls of the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry…

What are they?

Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins, and hormones that are associated with heart function, damage or failure. Some of the tests are specific for the heart while others are also elevated with skeletal…

Also known as: CK MB, CPK MB
Formal name: Creatine Kinase-MB

Why get tested?
To determine if you have had a Heart Attack and whether certain clot-dissolving drugs are…

Why get tested?
To determine whether muscle, particularly heart muscle, has been injured

When to get tested?
Every 2-3 hours for the first several hours after experiencing chest pain that is suspected to be…

Also known as: Total CK, Creatine phosphokinase, CPK
Formal name: Creatine Kinase

Why get tested?
To determine if you have had a Heart Attack or if other muscles in…

The build-up of cholesterol plaques in arteries, a common occurrence with aging, contributes to the reduced thinking ability seen in many elderly individuals, but not to depression, according to findings…