What is Angina Pectoris Angina pectoris is a term that describes chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia – a condition in which the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle is insufficient. It usually occurs on exertion and is... (Continue reading)
The heart consists of four chambers: there are two at the top called the atria and two at the bottom known as the ventricles. The heart has its own pace maker called the sinoatrial (SA) node which is a small... (Continue reading)
The heart pumps blood in the body and transports it to various organs of the body through the arteries. The pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries is referred to as blood pressure. Hypertension or high... (Continue reading)
Anemia is a condition that affects the oxygen-carrying function of our blood; mainly by the red blood cell. Red blood cells are needed in our body as it is the substance that gives the blood its color and assist in... (Continue reading)
Vertigo is defined as “the sensation of spinning or whirling that occurs as a result of a disturbance in balance (equilibrium)”. Vertigo is described as a symptom, it is not a disease. Similar symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness and... (Continue reading)
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are described as “small, irregularly-shaped anuclear cells (i.e. cells that do not have a nucleus containing DNA), 2-3 µm in diameter which are derived from fragmentation of precursor megakaryocytes”; megakaryocytes are bone marrow cells and the platelets... (Continue reading)
Diabetes mellitus is often simply referred to as diabetes. It is characterized by an increase in the blood sugar level. It is a disease of the pancreas and may result from insufficient levels of insulin in the blood (type 1... (Continue reading)
“A stroke or ‘brain attack’ occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body) or a blood vessel (a tube through which the blood moves through the body) breaks,... (Continue reading)
Heart attack is the term given when the heart or cardiac muscle dies from lack of blood supply and is also known as myocardial infarction. Blood supply may be obstructed by a blockage of one or more of the coronary... (Continue reading)