Heart transplant

For a heart transplant, the diseased heart is removed and replaced with the donated heart. During the surgery, a mechanical pump moves blood through the body.

Heart Transplant

A heart transplant is a procedure in which a surgeon removes a diseased heart and replaces it with a donor heart. During a heart transplant, a mechanical pump circulates blood through the body while the surgeon removes the diseased heart and replaces it with a healthy heart from a recently deceased donor. The surgeon...

Heart valve disease

Heart valve disease occurs when a heart valve is damaged or narrowed and does not control or allow the normal flow of blood through and out of the heart. Causes of heart valve disease include congenital heart disease, an abnormal valve, or a rupture of a valve. Heart valves operate like one-way gates, helping blood flow...

Heart Valve Disease

What are the types of heart valve disease? Heart valve disease can affect any of the four valves. A valve may not be able to open well enough (stenosis) or close well enough (regurgitation). Heart valve diseases include: Aortic valve regurgitation. Aortic valve stenosis. Mitral valve regurgitation. Mitral valve...

Heart ventricles

The ventricles are the two lower chambers of the heart, one on the right and one on the left. The ventricles receive blood from the heart's upper chambers (atria) and pump it to the rest of the body. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs, and the left ventricle pumps blood to the rest of the body.

Heart-Healthy Eating

Heart-healthy eating means eating food that can help lower your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. It focuses on eating more healthy foods and cutting back on foods that aren't so good for you. It is part of a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes regular activity and not smoking. A heart-healthy eating...

Heart-Healthy Eating: Fish and Fish Oil

Fish is a lean protein source that contains omega-3 fatty acids. This type of fat can be part of a heart-healthy diet. Fish oil supplements are another way to get omega-3 fatty acids. Research has not proved that fish oil is helpful for everyone. That's why doctors do not agree about whether these supplements can help...

Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

You can help keep your heart and blood vessels healthy by having a heart-healthy lifestyle. These healthy habits include eating healthy, being active, staying at a weight that's healthy for you, getting the screening tests you need, and not smoking. A heart-healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, not just for...

Heartbeat Changes and Arrhythmias

Heartbeat changes can include: A faster or slower heartbeat than is normal for you. This would include a pulse rate of more than 120 beats per minute (when you are not exercising) or less than 50 beats per minute (unless that is normal for you). A heart rate that does not have a steady pattern. Skipped beats. Extra beats.

Heartburn

Briefly discusses possible causes of heartburn and the severity of symptoms. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Heartburn

Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling or burning pain behind the breastbone. It may occur after eating, soon after lying down, when bending forward, or after taking certain medicines. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up (refluxes) into the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus), causing pain...

Heartburn During Pregnancy

Heartburn is common during pregnancy. That's because hormones cause the digestive system to slow down. The muscles that push food down the esophagus also move more slowly when you are pregnant. And as the uterus grows, it presses on the stomach. This can sometimes force stomach acid up into the esophagus. Heartburn may...

Heartburn Pain

Heartburn is a feeling of burning, warmth, heat, or pain that often starts in the upper belly just beneath the lower breastbone. The discomfort may spread in waves, upward into your throat, and you may have a sour taste in your mouth.

Heartburn Symptom Record

Record Answer questions Date and time of day: ________ Date and time of day: ________ Date and time of day: ________ Symptoms What were your symptoms? How long did the heartburn last? Do you have any other symptoms, such as asthma, hoarseness, or stomach pain? Does pain radiate to another part of your body? Impact of...

Heartburn: Changing Your Eating Habits

Developing healthier eating habits, losing weight if you need to, and avoiding foods that increase symptoms of GERD may make heartburn less likely to occur. Here are some changes you can try. Stay at a weight that's healthy for you. Extra weight puts more pressure on your stomach and makes you more likely to have...

Heat cramps

Heat cramps occur in muscles during or after exercise because sweating causes the body to lose water, salt, and other minerals (electrolytes). Leg muscles, such as the calf or thigh muscles, are usually affected most, but abdominal muscle cramps can also occur. Signs of heat cramps include: Muscle twitching or spasms...

Heat edema (swelling)

It is not uncommon for the feet or hands to become swollen when a person sits or stands for a long time in a hot environment. This swelling is called heat edema. Heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate), so body fluid moves into the hands or legs by gravity. The balance of salt in the body is also a risk factor...

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when you can't sweat enough to cool your body. It can develop when you work or exercise in hot weather and don't drink enough liquids to replace the fluids you lose from sweating a lot. Heat exhaustion can be caused by loss of fluid (dehydration) or loss of electrolytes. Symptoms of heat...

Heat Exhaustion Becoming Severe

Signs that heat exhaustion is becoming severe include: Blurred vision. Fast breathing and fast heart rate (more than 120 beats per minute when you are at rest). Severe belly cramps. Very heavy sweating (sweat is pouring off you and soaking through your clothes).

Heat Exhaustion First Aid

If you have symptoms of heat exhaustion, try the following first aid to cool off : Stop what you are doing and rest. Get out of the sun and heat. Remove any extra clothing. Spray or mist the body with cool water. Use a fan if one is available. Drink plenty of cool water or rehydration drinks.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include: Weakness, dizziness, or fatigue. Headache. Nausea. Skin that is pale, cool, and moist. Raised body temperature. Heat exhaustion may occur when you are sweating a lot (typically, while working or exercising in hot weather) and do not drink enough to replace the fluids you've lost.

Heat index

The heat index provides information about how hot it feels outside in the shade. It is a measure of the air temperature in relation to the relative humidity for a particular day. The temperature feels hotter when the humidity is higher. The National Weather Service lists a heat index each day in the newspaper to alert...

Heat Rash

Discusses heat rash (prickly heat). Looks at causes and symptoms of heat rash in babies. Offers home treatment and prevention tips.

Heat Syncope (Fainting)

Heat syncope occurs when a person faints suddenly and loses consciousness because of low blood pressure. Heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate), so body fluid moves into the legs by gravity, which causes low blood pressure and may result in fainting. Symptoms that could lead to heat syncope (fainting) include...

Heat tetany

Heat tetany (hyperventilation and heat stress) is usually related to short periods of stress in intense heat environments. Symptoms may include hyperventilation, respiratory problems, numbness or tingling, or muscle spasms. Treatment includes removing the affected person from the heat and slowing the breathing pattern.

Heat Waves

The National Weather Service developed the heat index to help people identify days when the risk for a heat illness is higher than normal. During a heat wave, the heat index is excessive for many days in a row. Everyone has an increased risk for a heat-related illness during a heat wave. A heat-related illness can be...

Heat-Related Illness

Exposure to a hot environment can cause many problems. Problems can be mild, like a heat rash, swelling in the hands or feet, or heat cramps. But heat can also lead to more dangerous situations like confusion, seizures, or passing out.

Pages