Cardiomyopathy -This disease can set in when the heart muscle becomes inflamed and does not work as well as it should.
Cholesterol - The liver makes this substance, which is also found in animal products, such as meat and eggs; too much in the body can lead to coronary artery disease.
Coronary Artery Disease - Fatty materials that build up in the wall of the coronary artery can causes narrowing of the artery, leading to this disease.
Diabetes - This disease occurs when the body does not produce the right amount of insulin, which is the hormone that allows cells to absorb sugar from the bloodstream.
Diastolic Pressure - This is the measurement of the pressure of blood inside the arteries when the heart is at rest; it is also the bottom number in a blood pressure reading. (Systolic pressure is pressure when the heart is contracting; it is the top number in a reading.)
Dyspnea - Dyspnea is difficulty breathing and can be a sign of more serious problems.
Dysrhythmias, Arrhythmias - These disorders cause irregular heartbeats.
Edema - The swelling that most commonly happens in the legs, ankles and feet.
Ejection Fraction - The percentage of blood pumped from the heart with each contraction or beat.
Fiber - A substance found in plant foods, also called "roughage" or "bulk," which helps with digestion and may also help lower blood cholesterol.
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol - This particle in the blood carries cholesterol and helps reduce atherosclerosis; often referred to as "good" cholesterol.
Heart Attack - A heart attack occurs when part of the heart muscle dies because of a sudden decrease in blood flow to that area of the heart.
Heart Failure/Congestive Heart Failure - When the heart has weakened and is not able to adequately pump blood, excessive fluid is retained, which can lead to swelling of the legs and ankles, as well as congestion in the lungs.
Hypertension - High blood pressure (the pressure of blood inside the arteries when the heart beats).
Insulin - Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas that helps the body use glucose (sugar) as a source of energy.
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol - This particle in the blood contains cholesterol and is thought to be responsible for atherosclerosis, also known as "bad" cholesterol.
Myocardial Infarction - A heart attack, or when a part of the heart muscle dies because of a sudden decrease in blood flow to that area of the heart.
Pulmonary Edema - Fluid build-up in lung tissue, which is often caused by congestive heart failure.
Saturated Fat - A type of fat mainly found in animal-based foods and usually solid at room temperature, such as butter, lard, meat fat, solid shortening, palm and coconut oils; it tends to raise blood cholesterol levels.
Sodium - A mineral that directly affects the body's water balance.
Stress Test - The stress test is used to examine the function of the heart.
Systolic Pressure - This is the amount of pressure of blood inside arteries when the heart contracts, which is the top number in a blood pressure reading. (Diastolic pressure is pressure when the heart is at rest; it is the bottom number in a reading.)
Triglycerides - These fats are normally present in the blood; they come from food, excessive weight gain, consuming too much fat, alcohol or carbohydrates and may lead to increased blood triglyceride levels.
Cholesterol - The liver makes this substance, which is also found in animal products, such as meat and eggs; too much in the body can lead to coronary artery disease.
Coronary Artery Disease - Fatty materials that build up in the wall of the coronary artery can causes narrowing of the artery, leading to this disease.
Diabetes - This disease occurs when the body does not produce the right amount of insulin, which is the hormone that allows cells to absorb sugar from the bloodstream.
Diastolic Pressure - This is the measurement of the pressure of blood inside the arteries when the heart is at rest; it is also the bottom number in a blood pressure reading. (Systolic pressure is pressure when the heart is contracting; it is the top number in a reading.)
Dyspnea - Dyspnea is difficulty breathing and can be a sign of more serious problems.
Dysrhythmias, Arrhythmias - These disorders cause irregular heartbeats.
Edema - The swelling that most commonly happens in the legs, ankles and feet.
Ejection Fraction - The percentage of blood pumped from the heart with each contraction or beat.
Fiber - A substance found in plant foods, also called "roughage" or "bulk," which helps with digestion and may also help lower blood cholesterol.
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol - This particle in the blood carries cholesterol and helps reduce atherosclerosis; often referred to as "good" cholesterol.
Heart Attack - A heart attack occurs when part of the heart muscle dies because of a sudden decrease in blood flow to that area of the heart.
Heart Failure/Congestive Heart Failure - When the heart has weakened and is not able to adequately pump blood, excessive fluid is retained, which can lead to swelling of the legs and ankles, as well as congestion in the lungs.
Hypertension - High blood pressure (the pressure of blood inside the arteries when the heart beats).
Insulin - Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas that helps the body use glucose (sugar) as a source of energy.
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol - This particle in the blood contains cholesterol and is thought to be responsible for atherosclerosis, also known as "bad" cholesterol.
Myocardial Infarction - A heart attack, or when a part of the heart muscle dies because of a sudden decrease in blood flow to that area of the heart.
Pulmonary Edema - Fluid build-up in lung tissue, which is often caused by congestive heart failure.
Saturated Fat - A type of fat mainly found in animal-based foods and usually solid at room temperature, such as butter, lard, meat fat, solid shortening, palm and coconut oils; it tends to raise blood cholesterol levels.
Sodium - A mineral that directly affects the body's water balance.
Stress Test - The stress test is used to examine the function of the heart.
Systolic Pressure - This is the amount of pressure of blood inside arteries when the heart contracts, which is the top number in a blood pressure reading. (Diastolic pressure is pressure when the heart is at rest; it is the bottom number in a reading.)
Triglycerides - These fats are normally present in the blood; they come from food, excessive weight gain, consuming too much fat, alcohol or carbohydrates and may lead to increased blood triglyceride levels.