A stroke is to the brain what a heart attack is to the heart. It occurs when blood flow and oxygen are suddenly interrupted in parts of the brain, leading to potential brain damage and loss of function. Stroke symptoms can include paralysis, numbness or weakness (often on one side of the body), confusion, dizziness, […]

What Is Heart Disease? Heart disease is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. These conditions can interfere with the heart’s ability to function efficiently and, if left unmanaged, may lead to serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. Common forms of […]

Understanding Blood Pressure Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the blood vessels. It is created by the rhythmic contractions of the heart, which move a constant volume of blood through a closed circulatory system. When blood pressure rises above normal levels, it is referred to as hypertension (high […]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder in which the atria of the heart beat irregularly and often very rapidly. Normally, the heart contracts in a coordinated rhythm, but in atrial fibrillation, electrical signals in the atria become uncoordinated. This causes the atria to quiver, or fibrillate, rather than produce a strong, regular […]