Atherosclerosis

Diabetes
Learn about diabetes symptoms, causes & treatments.  More »
HLCMS

Smoking
Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco encased in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Casual smoking is the act of smoking only occasionally, usually in a social situation or to relieve stress . A smoking habit is a physical addictio...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Obesity
Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual's ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of illness, disability, and death. The branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatmen...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine

High Cholesterol
High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia) refers to the presence of higher than normal amounts of total cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream. Cholesterol is a fatty substance (lipid) that is essential to the body as protectio...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health

High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force with which blood pushes against the artery walls as it travels through the body. Like air in a balloon, blood fills arteries to a certain capacity—and just as too much air pressure can cause damage to a balloon, too muc...  More »
Gale Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
A computerized tomography scan (CT or CAT scan) is a series of cross-sectional X-ray images of your body. CT scans are used to examine your bones and soft tissues for damage or abnormalities. Often, these images can be combined to create a 3D p  More »
HLCMS

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
If you or someone you love has suffered from a blood clot, stroke, heart disease, or similar health problem, your doctor may recommend a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) exam. Similar to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an MRA is a test  More »
HLCMS

Arteriogram
An arteriogram is a procedure that produces an image of your arteries. Your doctor will use dye (called "contrast material") and X-rays to observe the flow of blood through your arteries and observe any blockage.This procedure, also known as an  More »
HLCMS

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)
Until recently, angiography was the best method for assessing blood vessel function. This procedure involves injecting a contrast agent into the blood and using an X-ray to determine if a blood vessel is working properly.  More »
HLCMS

History and Physical Exam
The health status of populations and of individuals is assessed for many reasons. Assessing needs for care helps guide the allocation of resources— diagnostic assessments guide treatment, prognostic assessments contribute to planning, and assessin...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health

Angioplasty
Angioplasty is a term describing a procedure used to widen vessels narrowed by stenoses or occlusions. There are various types of angioplasty. The specific names of these procedures are derived from the type of equipment used and the path of entry...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery

Bypass Graft
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a surgical procedure in which one or more blocked coronary arteries are bypassed by a blood vessel graft to restore normal blood flow to the heart. These grafts usually come from the patient's own arteries a...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Endarterectomy
Endarterectomy is an operation to remove or bypass the fatty deposits, or blockage, in an artery narrowed by the buildup of fatty tissue ( atherosclerosis ).  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Regular Exercise
Exercise is any activity requiring physical exertion done for the sake of health. Activities range from walking and yoga to lifting weights and martial arts .  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine

Atherectomy
Atherectomy is a non-surgical procedure to open blocked coronary arteries or vein grafts by using a device on the end of a catheter to cut or shave away atherosclerotic plaque (a deposit of fat and other substances that accumulate in the lining of...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Aspirin
ASPIRIN (AS pir in) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat mild pain and fever. This medicine is also used as directed by a doctor to prevent and to treat heart attacks, to prevent strokes, and to treat arthritis or inflammation.  More »
GOLD

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties. Vitamin E exists in eight different forms ("isomers"): alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocopherol; and alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocotrienol. Alpha-tocopherol is the most active for...  More »
NaturalStandard

Lovastatin
LOVASTATIN (LOE va sta tin) is known as a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or 'statin'. It lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood. This drug may also reduce the risk of heart attack or other health problems in patients with risk factors for heart...  More »
GOLD

Linolenic Acid
Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil and certain plant/nut oils. Fish oil contains both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), while some nuts (e.g., English walnuts) and vegetable oils (e.g., canola, soybea...  More »
NaturalStandard

Niacin
NIACIN (NYE a sin) is used in combination with a healthy diet to lower 'bad' cholesterol and increase 'good' cholesterol. This medicine is also used to decrease triglycerides. If triglycerides are too high, you may be at risk of developing pancrea...  More »
GOLD

Meditation
Various forms of meditation have been practiced for thousands of years throughout the world, with many techniques originating in Eastern religious practices. In modern times, numerous meditation types are in use, often outside of their original re...  More »
NaturalStandard

Yoga
Yoga is an ancient system of relaxation, exercise, and healing with origins in Indian philosophy. Early descriptions of yoga are written in Sanskrit, the classical literary language of India. The first known work is "The Yoga Sutras," written more...  More »
NaturalStandard

Relaxation Therapy
Relaxation techniques include behavioral therapeutic approaches that differ widely in philosophy, methodology, and practice. The primary goal is usually non-directed relaxation. Most techniques share the components of repetitive focus (on a word, ...  More »
NaturalStandard

Acupuncture
The practice of acupuncture originated in China 5,000 years ago. Today it is widely used throughout the world and is one of the main pillars of Chinese medicine. There are many different varieties of the practice of acupuncture, both in the Orient...  More »
NaturalStandard

Massage
Various forms of therapeutic superficial tissue manipulation have been practiced for thousands of years across cultures. Chinese use of massage dates to 1600 BC, and Hippocrates made reference to the importance of physicians being experienced with...  More »
NaturalStandard

Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency where part of the brain is deprived of oxygen. There are four major kinds of stroke: cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism, subarachnoid hemorrhage & intracerebral hemorrhage.  More »
HLCMS

Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Learn the definition, symptoms and causes of CAD by reading our overview.  More »
HLCMS

Heart Attack
In the movies, heart attacks are always very obvious. In reality, heart attacks aren’t always so sudden or dramatic. Read our brief overview for information about heart attacks.  More »
HLCMS

Mini Stroke
During a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini stroke, blood stops flowing to the brain for a short period of time. However, a mini stroke doesn't kill brain cells like a stroke does. A mini stroke causes symptoms that mimi  More »
HLCMS

Weight Loss
It is important to maintain a healthy weight as you age. Excess weight combined with the strain of aging can make you more susceptible to illness and can shorten your life. However, changes in metabolism and the difficulty of eliminating poor habi  More »
HLCMS

Smoking Cessation
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 70 percent of individuals who smoke cigarettes would like to quit.  More »
HLCMS

Regular Exercise
Exercise is any activity requiring physical exertion done for the sake of health. Activities range from walking and yoga to lifting weights and martial arts .  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine