Cardiovascular Disease
Thanks to online-only health sites, sites operated by the National Institutes of Health and those of our country's top hospitals, clinics and nonprofit heart-health organizations, high-quality information on common and rare cardiovascular diseases are only a quick surf away. Use the Cardiovascular Disease Web Guide to find links to sites with verified, credible information.
Read a Spanish-language version of the Cardiovascular Disease Web Guide.
Read a Spanish-language version of the Cardiovascular Disease Web Guide.
Expand All Guide SectionsHow the Cardiovascular System Works
The term "cardiovascular system" refers to the functioning of the heart (cardio) and the ... read more »
Heart Disease Types
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease ... read more »
Vascular Disease Types
A vascular disease is any disease afflicting your circulatory system. According to the Cleveland Clinic ... read more »
Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis
If you or a loved one is suffering from a cardiovascular disease, you thankfully have the benefit of highly advanced and extremely effective diagnostic conditions for determining exactly what it is. Learn more about cardiovascular disease diagnosis with the sites below.
Insights for Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis
- WebMD's article, "Imaging the Heart: The New Frontier," discusses exciting technologies like CT scans, MRI, 3-dimensional echocardiography (3-D echo) and PET/CT that physicians are using to diagnose heart disease.
- Don't attempt to diagnose your own disease. If you think you're at risk or are experiencing symptoms, see your physician.
Top Sites for Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis
For an overview on diagnostic testing …
Texas Heart Institute
has information on diagnostic procedures geared toward patients. For each of the tests you'll find a description of how it works and what you can expect as a patient. In most cases, these descriptions are supplemented with photographs showing either the scanning equipment used or the images produced.
For echocardiography …
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
provides an overview of echocardiography, a procedure where sound waves are used to generate an image of the heart displaying any structural or functional abnormalities. The site covers the different types of echocardiography as well as what to expect before, during and after the procedure.
For electrocardiography …
Cleveland Clinic
has information about electrocardiography in its different forms. Using an electrocardiogram (EKG), physicians can monitor the electric activity of the heart and obtain a noninvasive view of its beating activity.
For coronary angiogram …
MedicineNet.com
has an overview of coronary angiogram, a procedure where the blood vessels are filled with a contrast material (a solution containing iodine for easy x-ray viewing) and the heart is x-rayed to reveal the severity of blockages in the coronary artery. The site discusses how the procedure is performed and includes a glossary of terms.
For computer imaging …
American Heart Association
covers the different imaging techniques doctors are using to produce cross-sections of the heart to measure calcium and monitor blood flow. Some of these procedures include Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT), Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).
Cleveland Clinic
has overviews of different x-ray procedures. Each procedure is outlined with a definition, how to prepare, what to expect and what to do after the procedure.
For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) …
MedlinePlus
has a description of how an MRI is conducted, how a patient can prepare, how it will feel, why it is performed and more. An MRI is a procedure where an image of the heart is generated through the use of powerful magnets and radio waves.
For magnetic resonance angiography …
MedlinePlus
describes MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) as an "MRI exam of the blood vessels," meaning a procedure where an image of the blood vessels is generated using magnets and radio waves. The site walks you through how the test is performed, how to prepare and what abnormal results mean.
For invasive tests …
Cleveland Clinic
describes how invasive tests require inserting catheters into the blood vessels of the heart and has overviews of the various invasive testing procedures: carotid angiography, cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology study, intravascular ultrasound and myocardial biopsy.
For cardiac catheterization …
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
has an overview of the procedure known as cardiac catheterization. Performed to diagnose and treat certain heart diseases, this procedure involves inserting a long, cylindrical tube into blood vessels in the arm, neck, or groin and threading it to the heart.
Cardiovascular Disease Treatment
Heart and vascular conditions can be treated through a variety of methods including medication, ... read more »
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Two factors playing an important role in your heart disease risk are diet and exercise. Unlike ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
