Inside your chest, there’s a special blood tube called the left internal mammary artery (LIMA). It runs down near your breastbone and helps bring blood to your chest. This artery is really strong and doesn’t clog up easily. Because of that, doctors often use it like a “spare pipe” when someone’s heart needs a bypass….
The left ventricle (LV) is the thick-walled, cone-shaped chamber of the heart responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood into the systemic circulation via the aorta. Positioned at the bottom left of the heart, it receives blood from the left atrium through the mitral valve, then contracts forcefully to generate the high pressures necessary to propel blood…
A heart attack happens when one of the blood tubes that feed your heart gets blocked, so the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen. It’s like when a garden hose gets pinched and the water can’t flow. The blocked part of your heart can start to hurt and die, causing chest pain and shortness of…
Atrial fibrillation is when the top parts of your heart (the atria) shake instead of beating smoothly. This makes the heartbeat irregular and sometimes very fast, like a drum that can’t keep a steady beat. It can make you feel like your heart is fluttering, or you’re out of breath, tired, or dizzy. Because the…
Activated clotting time is a simple test that tells doctors how fast your blood makes a clot. They take a tiny sample of your blood, mix it with a special substance to start clotting, and see how many seconds it takes to form a clot. It is used during surgeries where you’re given blood thinners…
Acute coronary syndrome means your heart muscle isn’t getting enough blood because an artery is suddenly blocked by a clot. Think of it like a garden hose getting pinched—the part after the pinch can’t get water. When this blockage happens in your heart, it can cause chest pain or even a heart attack. Warning signs…
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) happens when the big blood tube in your belly, called the aorta, gets weak and swells like a balloon. This tube normally carries blood from your heart down to your legs and organs. As some people get older, smoke, or have high blood pressure, the wall of the tube can…
Unveiling the Gut-Heart Connection: How Your Microbiome Affects Cardiovascular Health Have you ever wondered how the health of your gut impacts your heart? Imagine gaining insight into how the trillions of microorganisms residing in your digestive system influence your cardiovascular well-being. By understanding these intricate connections, you can make informed decisions that enhance your heart…
(Important Note: At Heart Surgery Gifts, we are committed to providing helpful information and resources. To support our work, we may include affiliate links to products and services that we believe can be valuable to you. Clicking on these links may result in us earning a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you…
(Important Note: At Heart Surgery Gifts, we are committed to providing helpful information and resources. To support our work, we may include affiliate links to products and services that we believe can be valuable to you. Clicking on these links may result in us earning a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you…