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233 HealthJournals

Heart and blood vessel anatomy

The heart pumps blood through a network of arteries, veins and capillaries that carries oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body. Its anatomy runs from the heart's chambers, valves and electrical activity to the coronary arteries and the aorta, and to how the heart forms before birth.

Heart and blood vessel diseases and disorders

Heart and blood vessel diseases, together called cardiovascular disease, affect the heart's muscle, valves and rhythm or the vessels that carry blood. They range from coronary heart disease and heart failure to atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, aneurysms and deep vein thrombosis.

Heart-healthy diets and nutrition

Heart-healthy diets limit sodium and saturated fat and favor vegetables, fruit, whole grains and fish. They include the DASH eating plan and the Mediterranean, low-cholesterol, vegetarian and vegan diets, and the role of fats, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in heart health.

Heart disease causes and risks

Heart disease has many risk factors, and some of them can be changed. They include smoking, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and alcohol use disorder, along with metabolic syndrome, inflammation, long COVID and loneliness in older adults.

Heart disease signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of heart disease range from chest pain and angina, a pressure or squeezing in the chest, to heart palpitations and heart murmurs. They also include the warning signs of a heart attack and of a transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke.

Heart disease tests

Heart disease tests show how well the heart works and look for problems before or after symptoms appear. They include electrocardiograms, echocardiography, stress testing, coronary angiography and Holter monitors, along with blood tests, vital signs and regular checkups.

Heart disease medicines

Heart disease medicines help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and prevent the blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke. They include statins and other cholesterol medicines, blood pressure medicines, blood thinners and aspirin.

Heart health in pregnancy

Pregnancy puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels as blood volume rises. It can bring high blood pressure, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, blood clots and stroke, and existing heart disease in women can affect a pregnancy.

Heart health in specific populations

Heart disease can look different in women, older adults, children and different communities. Topics include heart attack in women, high blood pressure in older adults, high cholesterol and obesity in children, and heart health for African American, Hispanic, Asian American and American Indian people.

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