Related Content

• Article: Heart Failure, Arrhythmias and Other Complications of a Heart Attack

  Heart attacks most often affect the left ventricle, the pumping powerhouse of the heart. Damage to this chamber can significantly impair the heart's ability to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body, which may result in heart failure.…

• Article: Men and Heart Attack Symptoms

  Each year, more than 250,000 people die from heart attacks before they even reach the hospital. Knowing the symptoms of heart attack can greatly increase the chances that you will seek help and survive if you ever suffer from a heart attack. Heart Attack Defined A heart attack, known…

• Article: Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms

  The coronary arteries are blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart. A heart attack, or a "myocardial infarction," occurs when a blood clot blocks one of the coronary arteries, obstructing this blood flow. Interrupted blood flow - and the subsequent cutoff of oxygen - can cause damage…

• Article: Valvular Heart Disease and Heart Murmur

  Valvular heart disease is a common heart condition, resulting from damage to the heart valves by disease, birth defects or simple aging. A heart murmur is a common sign of valvular heart disease. Valvular Heart Disease Characteristics The heart contains four heart valves that open…

• Article: Heart Attack

  A heart attack happens when anything causes a portion of the heart muscle to become injured or damaged enough to stop the heart from beating. Also called "cardiac arrest," this is a leading cause of death in the United States. A heart attack or cardiac arrest is not usually an isolated condition,…