If you are having severe pain, crushing, squeezing, or pressure in your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or if the pain moves into your neck, left shoulder, arm, or jaw, go immediately to a hospital emergency department. Do not drive yourself. Call 911 for emergency transport. Chest

Coronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease, or simply, heart disease, is the No. 1 killer in America, affecting more than 13 million Americans. Coronary artery disease is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, producing blockages in the vessels which nourish the heart itself. Atherosclerosis occurs when the arteries become

Chest Pain and Heart Failure If you are having severe pain, crushing, squeezing, or pressure in your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or if the pain moves into your neck, left shoulder, arm, or jaw, go immediately to a hospital emergency department. Do not drive yourself. Call

An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia. A heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia. Most arrhythmias are

The heart has two halves, a left and a right, each with two chambers — the atrium and the ventricle. Between the chambers are the heart valves which ensure the blood runs only in one direction. There are also heart valves situated between the ventricles and the major arteries —

Venous insufficiency occurs when forward flow through the veins is obstructed, as in the case of a blood clot, or if there is backward leakage of blood flow through damaged valves. What are the symptoms of venous insufficiency? In healthy veins, there is continuous flow of blood from the limbs

Spider veins are small red, blue or purple veins on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are larger distended veins that are located somewhat deeper than spider veins. Arteries bring blood from the heart to the extremities, veins, which have one-way valves, channel blood back to the heart. If

Varicose Veins What’s the difference between Spider Veins and Varicose Veins? Spider veins are small red, blue or purple veins on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are larger distended veins that are located somewhat deeper than spider veins. Arteries bring blood from the heart to the extremities, veins,

The skin changes associated with chronic venous insufficiency are sometimes called venous stasis dermatitis and are the result of long term venous reflux, swelling and increased pressure in the veins. Eventually the constant increased pressure and swelling causes the skin to become damaged and inflamed (cellulitis) The skin eventually becomes

Leg edema is a result of excess interstitial fluid accumulating in one or both legs. It may affect just the foot and ankle or extend to the thigh and may be slight or dramatic and pitting or nonpitting. Leg edema may result from venous disorders, trauma, and certain bone and