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Heart Health and Aging

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Heart Health and Aging

Angina in Older Woman

Image by TheVisualMD

How the Heart Works

Anterior and Posterior view of the Human Heart

Image by TheVisualMD

How Does the Heart Work?

Your heart is a strong muscle that pumps blood to your body. A normal, healthy adult heart is about the size of your clenched fist. Just like an engine makes a car go, the heart keeps your body running. The heart has two sides, each with a top chamber (atrium) and a bottom chamber (ventricle). The right side pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The left side receives blood rich with oxygen from the lungs and pumps it through arteries throughout the body. An electrical system in the heart controls the heart rate (heartbeat or pulse) and coordinates the contraction of the heart's top and bottom chambers.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (7)

Anatomy of the heart

Video by Swedish/YouTube

Heart Anatomy - Right Ventricle - 3D Anatomy Tutorial

Video by AnatomyZone/YouTube

Heart Anatomy - Left Ventricle - 3D Anatomy Tutorial

Video by AnatomyZone/YouTube

Heart Anatomy - Right Atrium - 3D Anatomy Tutorial

Video by AnatomyZone/YouTube

Heart Anatomy - Left Atrium - 3D Anatomy Tutorial

Video by AnatomyZone/YouTube

Anatomy & physiology of the circulatory system (heart)

Video by Osmosis/YouTube

Human Heart Displaying Aorta and Coronary Artery

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2

3

Human Heart

1) Human Heart Displaying Aorta and Coronary Artery - 3D visualization based on scanned human data of an anterior view of the heart. 2) Coronary Arteries - Your heart is a hollow, muscular organ whose only job is to pump blood throughout your body. Because every cell in your body must have a never-ending supply of oxygenated blood, your heart never sleeps. It beats about 100,000 times a day, pumping 6 qts of blood through the 65,000 miles of vessels that comprise your circulatory system, 3 times every minute. 3) Heart Cross Section Revealing Valve and Nerve - 3D visualization based on scanned human data of a mid-coronal cut of the heart revealing the heart's nervous system. A natural pacemaker called the sinoatrial (SA) node is responsible for heart's natural cycle of rhythmic contractions. Embedding in the wall of the upper right atrium, it emits regular electrical pulses that race along nervelike cables through the atria, inducing them to contract. The signals pause slightly at a second node before branching left and right, subdividing into a network of modified muscles fibers in the walls of the ventricles.

Interactive by TheVisualMD

1:41

Anatomy of the heart

Swedish/YouTube

10:41

Heart Anatomy - Right Ventricle - 3D Anatomy Tutorial

AnatomyZone/YouTube

8:26

Heart Anatomy - Left Ventricle - 3D Anatomy Tutorial

AnatomyZone/YouTube

8:13

Heart Anatomy - Right Atrium - 3D Anatomy Tutorial

AnatomyZone/YouTube

3:01

Heart Anatomy - Left Atrium - 3D Anatomy Tutorial

AnatomyZone/YouTube

16:55

Anatomy & physiology of the circulatory system (heart)

Osmosis/YouTube

Human Heart

TheVisualMD

Understanding Heart Aging

Human Heart revealing coronary arteries, fat surrounding heart and Pericardium peeled back / Myocardial infarction

Healthy Human Heart / Myocardial infarction

Interactive by TheVisualMD

How Your Heart Changes with Age

People age 65 and older are much more likely than younger people to suffer a heart attack, to have a stroke, or to develop coronary heart disease (commonly called heart disease) and heart failure. Heart disease is also a major cause of disability, limiting the activity and eroding the quality of life of millions of older people.

Aging can cause changes in the heart and blood vessels. For example, as you get older, your heart can't beat as fast during physical activity or times of stress as it did when you were younger. However, the number of heartbeats per minute (heart rate) at rest does not change significantly with normal aging.

Changes that happen with age may increase a person's risk of heart disease. A major cause of heart disease is the buildup of fatty deposits in the walls of arteries over many years. The good news is there are things you can do to delay, lower, or possibly avoid or reverse your risk.

The most common aging change is increased stiffness of the large arteries, called arteriosclerosis (ahr-teer-ee-o-skluh-roh-sis), or hardening of the arteries. This causes high blood pressure, or hypertension, which becomes more common as we age.

High blood pressure and other risk factors, including advancing age, increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis (ath-uh-roh-skluh-roh-sis). Because there are several modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis, it is not necessarily a normal part of aging. Plaque builds up inside the walls of your arteries and, over time, hardens and narrows your arteries, which limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body. Oxygen and blood nutrients are supplied to the heart muscle through the coronary arteries. Heart disease develops when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to your heart muscle. Over time, the heart muscle can become weakened and/or damaged, resulting in heart failure. Heart damage can be caused by heart attacks, long-standing hypertension and diabetes, and chronic heavy alcohol use.

Age can cause other changes to the heart. For example:

There are age-related changes in the electrical system that can lead to arrhythmias—a rapid, slowed, or irregular heartbeat—and/or the need for a pacemaker. Valves—the one-way, door-like parts that open and close to control blood flow between the chambers of your heart—may become thicker and stiffer. Stiffer valves can limit the flow of blood out of the heart and become leaky, both of which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs or in the body (legs, feet, and abdomen).
The chambers of your heart may increase in size. The heart wall thickens, so the amount of blood that a chamber can hold may decrease despite the increased overall heart size. The heart may fill more slowly. Long-standing hypertension is the main cause of increased thickness of the heart wall, which can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm problem in older people.
With increasing age, people become more sensitive to salt, which may cause an increase in blood pressure and/or ankle or foot swelling (edema).

Other factors, such as thyroid disease or chemotherapy, may also weaken the heart muscle. Things you can't control, like your family history, might increase your risk of heart disease. But, leading a heart-healthy lifestyle might help you avoid or delay serious illness.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (6)

1:10

How Old Is Your Heart? Learn Your Heart Age!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube

6:23

British Heart Foundation - Cholesterol and heart disease

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

5:39

British Heart Foundation - One step at a time, Edith's heart failure story

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

7:02

British Heart Foundation - Type II diabetes and heart disease - YouTube

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

7:37

British Heart Foundation - High blood pressure and heart disease

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

1:30

British Heart Foundation - How does a healthy heart work?

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

Is Your Heart Older Than You?

Examples of actual age vs. heart age

Image by CDC

Heart Age: Is Your Heart Older Than You?

Her age is 53. But her heart is 75 years old because she smokes and has uncontrolled high blood pressure. She’s not alone because most American adults have a heart that is older than their actual age. One way to understand your risk for a heart attack or stroke is to learn your “heart age.” Heart age is the age of your heart and blood vessels as a result of your risk factors for heart attack and stroke. There are some things that put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke that you cannot change such as getting older or your family history; yet there are many others that you can change. If you smoke or have high blood pressure, your heart age will be much higher than your actual age. The most common reasons for a higher heart age that can be changed or managed are: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and diabetes. At any age, you can make your heart younger by making changes that reduce your risk. Even if you haven’t had a heart attack or stroke, most US adults have a heart age older than their actual age placing them at greater risk of having one.

What you can do:

Learn your heart age and how to improve it.
Start by choosing a risk factor or two that you’re ready to change, like smoking or high blood pressure, and focus on improving them first.
Work with your doctor to make heart healthy choices for a lower heart age.
Take action at any age to lower your heart age and keep it low over time.

1 in 2 men have a heart age 5 or more years older than their actual age.

2 in 5 women have a heart age 5 or more years older than their actual age.

About 3 in 4 heart attacks and strokes are due to risk factors that increase heart age.

US adults have hearts 7 years older than they should be.

Though there are other ways of looking at your risk for having a heart attack or stroke, heart age is an easy way for us to talk about it. You want a heart age that is the same or younger than your actual age. Using information from the Framingham Heart Study and data collected from every US state, CDC projections show that around 69 million US adults that haven’t had a heart attack or stroke, have a heart age that is 5 or more years older than their actual age. That’s about the number of people living in the 130 largest US cities combined. One in 2 men and 2 in 5 women have heart ages 5 or more years older than their actual age, with the average being 7 years older.

Having an ideal blood pressure (less than 120/80) lowers your heart age.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

What Is Heart Disease?

Normal Myocardium / Inflammation of the Myocardium (Myocarditis)

Normal Heart vs Myocarditis

Interactive by TheVisualMD

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis (ath-uh-roh-skluh-roh-sis), which is the buildup of fatty deposits, or plaques, in the walls of the coronary arteries over many years. The coronary arteries surround the outside of the heart and supply blood nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle. When plaque builds up inside the arteries, there is less space for blood to flow normally and deliver oxygen to the heart. If the flow of blood to your heart is reduced by plaque buildup or is blocked if a plaque suddenly ruptures, it can cause angina (chest pain or discomfort) or a heart attack. When the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen and blood nutrients, the heart muscle cells will die (heart attack) and weaken the heart, diminishing its ability to pump blood to the rest of the body.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (6)

1:11

British Heart Foundation - Heart disease is heartless

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

10:46

Heart Disease and Heart Attacks

Khan Academy/YouTube

5:40

British Heart Foundation - Family history and heart disease

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

7:37

British Heart Foundation - High blood pressure and heart disease

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

6:23

British Heart Foundation - Cholesterol and heart disease

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

Normal Heart / Heart Attack

TheVisualMD

Signs of Heart Disease

Heart attack symptoms differ in men and women

Image by TheVisualMD

Signs of Heart Disease

Early heart disease often doesn't have symptoms or the symptoms may be barely noticeable. That's why regular checkups with your doctor are important.

Contact your doctor right away if you feel any chest pain, pressure, or discomfort. However, chest pain is a less common sign of heart disease as it progresses, so be aware of other symptoms. Tell your doctor if you have:

Pain, numbness, and/or tingling in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back
Shortness of breath when active, at rest, or while lying flat
Chest pain during physical activity that gets better when you rest
Lightheadedness
Dizziness
Confusion
Headaches
Cold sweats
Nausea/vomiting
Tiredness or fatigue
Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, stomach, and/or neck
Reduced ability to exercise or be physically active
Problems doing your normal activities

Problems with arrhythmia are much more common in older adults than younger people. Arrhythmia needs to be treated. See a doctor if you feel a fluttering in your chest or have the feeling that your heart is skipping a beat or beating too hard, especially if you are weaker than usual, dizzy, tired, or get short of breath when active.

If you have any signs of heart disease, your doctor may send you to a cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in the heart.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (6)

22:22

How Heart Disease Signs and Symptoms are Different in Women | San Diego Health

Scripps Health/YouTube

1:33

Heart Disease in Women - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options for Women

Rehealthify/YouTube

1:41

Men & Women Differing Heart Symptoms

Lee Health/YouTube

3:33

How to Survive a Heart Attack: Symptoms and First Aid for Heart Attack

Tiny Medicine/YouTube

3:18

Heart Attack: Early Signs and Symptoms - Lakeview Hospital

MountainStar Health/YouTube

1:45

Symptoms of Heart Attack: Types of Heart Attacks

Cleveland Clinic/YouTube

How Is Heart Disease Diagnosed?

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

Image by U.S. National Library of Medicine

Medical Tests for Heart Disease

Your doctor will check your blood pressure and do a fasting blood test to check your cholesterol, a type of fatty substance that can contribute to plaques in your arteries. He or she might also do a blood test to check the levels of proteins that are markers of inflammation in the body and suggest you have an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This test looks at electrical activity in your heart. A chest x-ray will show whether your heart is enlarged or your lungs have fluid in them; both can be signs of heart failure. The doctor might do a blood test for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a hormone that increases in heart failure. If the cardiologist needs to determine your heart or valve function, he or she may order an echocardiogram, a painless test which uses sound waves to produce images of your heart in motion.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (7)

Assessing Blood Flow

Coronary artery disease (CAD)- clogged coronary arteries - can cause angina when blood flow is restricted, or heart attack when flow is severely reduced or completely blocked. If CAD is suspected, the most common initial tests to be given are electrocardiograms (EKGs), chest X-rays, blood tests, and "stress tests". If initial tests confirm the presence of heart disease, then additional tests may be performed. These could include coronary angiograms, echocardiograms, PET scans, and myocardial perfusion scans.

Image by TheVisualMD

Testing & Diagnosis

In testing for an arrhythmia, the doctor may question the patient about conditions that trigger the arrhythmia. Arrhythmia-inducing tests may then be performed so that the arrhythmia can be diagnosed. Passive testing doesn't seek to trigger the arrhythmia, only to monitor the heart in its usual state.

Image by TheVisualMD

NASA Experiment Support Scientist Matthew Roper demonstrating the 10-lead wire harness, electrode placement, and configuration of waist-worn Holter Monitor 2 hardware.

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10-lead wire harness, electrode placement, and configuration of waist-worn Holter Monitor

NASA Experiment Support Scientist Matthew Roper demonstrating the 10-lead wire harness, electrode placement, and configuration of waist-worn Holter Monitor 2 hardware.

Interactive by NASA

Application of Holter Monitor on Patient

A Holter monitor is a portable EKG that can be worn for a day or more. Because of its extended recording period, it can be useful for observing cardiac arrhythmias that would be difficult to identify in a shorter length of time. Several electrodes are place around the patient's chest in locations conducive to picking up heart beats. The electrodes connect to a device worn around the patient's neck that will keep a recorded log of all the electrical information as long as the electrodes are worn. A physician can then analyze the logs and make more informed decisions about the patient's heart condition.

Image by TheVisualMD

British Heart Foundation - Your guide to ECG (electrocardiogram), heart disease test

Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube

British Heart Foundation - Your guide to a cardiac MRI, heart disease test

Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube

British Heart Foundation - Your guide to an Echo (echocardiogram), heart disease test

Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube

Assessing Blood Flow

TheVisualMD

Testing & Diagnosis

TheVisualMD

10-lead wire harness, electrode placement, and configuration of waist-worn Holter Monitor

NASA

Application of Holter Monitor on Patient

TheVisualMD

2:32

British Heart Foundation - Your guide to ECG (electrocardiogram), heart disease test

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

3:41

British Heart Foundation - Your guide to a cardiac MRI, heart disease test

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

2:55

British Heart Foundation - Your guide to an Echo (echocardiogram), heart disease test

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

Blood Pressure Test

Blood Pressure Test

Also called: Blood pressure reading, Blood pressure screening, Systolic (maximum) pressure over diastolic (minimum) pressure

A blood pressure measurement is a test most often used to check for high blood pressure, a common condition that increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. The test can diagnose high blood pressure early, so it can be treated before it causes serious complications.

Blood Pressure Test

Also called: Blood pressure reading, Blood pressure screening, Systolic (maximum) pressure over diastolic (minimum) pressure

A blood pressure measurement is a test most often used to check for high blood pressure, a common condition that increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. The test can diagnose high blood pressure early, so it can be treated before it causes serious complications.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
mm Hg
90
121
130
140
Your result is Normal.
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure inside the body's arteries as the heart beats while pumping blood. It is the upper (higher) number of the two measuring blood pressure.
Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
mm Hg
60
81
90
Your result is Normal.
Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. It is the lower number of the two measuring blood pressure.
Related conditions
Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into your arteries. A blood pressure measurement is a test that measures the force (pressure) in your arteries as your heart pumps. Blood pressure is measured as two numbers:
- Systolic blood pressure (the first and higher number) measures pressure inside your arteries when the heart beats.
- Diastolic blood pressure (the second and lower number) measures the pressure inside the artery when the heart rests between beats.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects tens of millions of adults in the United States. It increases the risk of life-threatening conditions including heart attack and stroke. But high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms. A blood pressure measurement helps diagnose high blood pressure early, so it may be treated before it leads to serious complications.
A blood pressure measurement is most often used to diagnose high blood pressure.
Blood pressure that's too low, known as hypotension, is much less common. But you may get tested for low blood pressure if you have certain symptoms. Unlike high blood pressure, low blood pressure usually causes symptoms. These include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Cold, sweaty skin
- Pale skin
- Fainting
- Weakness
A blood pressure measurement is often included as part of a regular checkup. Adults 18 years and older should have their blood pressure measured at least once every two to five years. You should get tested every year if you have certain risk factors. You may be at higher risk if you:
- Are 40 years old or older
- Are overweight or have obesity
- Have a family history of heart disease or diabetes
- Take birth control pills
- Are Black/African American. Black/African Americans have a higher rate of high blood pressure than other racial and ethnic groups
You may need this test if you have symptoms of low blood pressure.
A blood pressure test includes the following steps:
- You will sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
- You will rest your arm on a table or other surface, so your arm is level with your heart. You may be asked to roll up your sleeve.
- Your provider will wrap a blood pressure cuff around your arm. A blood pressure cuff is a strap-like device. It should fit snugly around your upper arm, with the bottom edge placed just above your elbow.
- Your provider will inflate the blood pressure cuff using a small hand pump or by pressing a button on an automated device.
- Your provider will measure the pressure manually (by hand) or with an automated device.
  If manually, he or she will place a stethoscope over the major artery in your upper arm to listen to the blood flow and pulse as the cuff inflates and deflates.
  If using an automated device, the blood pressure cuff automatically inflates, deflates, and measures pressure.
- As the blood pressure cuff inflates, you'll feel it tighten around your arm.
- Your provider will then open a valve on the cuff to slowly release air from it. As the cuff deflates, blood pressure will fall.
- As the pressure falls, a measurement is taken when the sound of blood pulsing is first heard. This is the systolic pressure.
- As the air continues to be let out, the blood pulsing sound will start to go away. When it completely stops, another measurement is taken. This is the diastolic pressure.
This test only takes about one minute to complete.

Your results, also known as a blood pressure reading, will contain two numbers. The top or first number is the systolic pressure. The bottom or second number is the diastolic pressure. High blood pressure readings are also labeled by categories, ranging from normal to crisis. Your reading may show your blood pressure is:

Blood Pressure Category	Systolic Blood Pressure		Diastolic Blood Pressure
Normal	Less than 120	and	Less than 80
High Blood Pressure (no other heart risk factors)	140 or higher	or	90 or higher
High Blood Pressure (with other heart risk factors, according to some providers)	130 or higher	or	80 or higher
Dangerously high blood pressure - seek medical care right away	180 or higher	and	120 or higher

If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes and/or medicines to control your blood pressure. Your provider may also recommend that you regularly check your blood pressure at home with an automated blood pressure monitor. An at-home blood pressure monitor usually includes a blood pressure cuff and a digital device to record and display blood pressure readings.

Home monitoring is not a replacement for regular visits to your provider. But it can provide important information, such as whether treatment is working or your condition may have worsened. Also, home monitoring may make the test less stressful. Many people get nervous about getting their blood pressure taken at a provider's office. This is called "white coat syndrome." It can cause a temporary rise in blood pressure, making the results less accurate. For more information about home monitoring of blood pressure, talk to your provider.

If you were tested for low blood pressure, a blood pressure reading of 90 systolic, 60 diastolic (90/60) or lower is considered abnormal. Treatments for low blood pressure may include medicines and making certain changes to your diet.

If you were diagnosed with high blood pressure, your provider may recommend one or more of the following lifestyle changes.
- Exercise regularly. Staying active can help lower your blood pressure and also help manage your weight. Most adults should aim for 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Check with your provider before beginning an exercise program.
- Keep a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 pounds can lower your blood pressure.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetable, and whole grains. Limit foods high in saturated fat and total fat.
- Reduce salt in your diet. Most adults should have less than 1500 mg of salt per day.
- Limit alcohol use. If you choose to drink, limit yourself to one drink a day if you are a woman; two drinks a day if you're a man.
- Don't smoke.
1. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/measure.htm [accessed on Mar 24, 2019]
2. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure [accessed on Mar 24, 2019]
3. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/node/80139 [accessed on Mar 24, 2019]
4. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure [accessed on Mar 24, 2019]
5. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/01/experts-lower-high-blood-pressure-numbers [accessed on Mar 24, 2019]
6. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/01/blood-pressure-matters [accessed on Mar 24, 2019]
7. https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2017/11/09/11/41/2017-guideline-for-high-blood-pressure-in-adults [accessed on Mar 27, 2019]
8. https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2017/11/14/14/42/the-2017-high-blood-pressure-guideline-risk-reduction-through-better-management [accessed on Mar 27, 2019]

Additional Materials (50)

This browser does not support the video element.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is stated as two numbers that represent the highest and lowest pressure your heart attains during a single beat. The first or top number represents the pressure when your heart contracts: the systolic pressure. The second or bottom number represents the pressure when your heart rests between beats: the diastolic pressure.

Video by TheVisualMD

This browser does not support the video element.

What is Hypertension?

Go deep inside the human body to understand how your blood pressure works, as you travel into the vessels to see the damage that high blood pressure leaves in its wake. Listen to some of the world's top doctors, including renowned cardiologist Mehmet Oz, talk about why hypertension is "the silent killer" and how you can defend yourself against it.

Video by TheVisualMD

How blood pressure works - Wilfred Manzano

Video by TED-Ed/YouTube

What is blood pressure? | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

The Heart, Part 1 - Under Pressure: Crash Course A&P #25

Video by CrashCourse/YouTube

The Heart, Part 2 - Heart Throbs: Crash Course A&P #26

Video by CrashCourse/YouTube

Systole vs. Diastole | Match Health

Video by Match Health/YouTube

Lub Dub | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Understanding Blood Pressure | Human Anatomy and Physiology video 3D animation | elearnin

Video by Elearnin/YouTube

Regulation of blood pressure with baroreceptors | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Systolic murmurs, diastolic murmurs, and extra heart sounds - Part 1 | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Systolic murmurs, diastolic murmurs, and extra heart sounds - Part 2 | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

High Blood Pressure - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

Video by Rehealthify/YouTube

Blood Pressure Medicines - What You Need To Know

Video by Rehealthify/YouTube

High blood pressure - What is it?

Video by Healthchanneltv / cherishyourhealthtv/YouTube

Treating High Blood Pressure

Video by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube

Medicating for High Blood Pressure (HBP #3)

Video by Healthguru/YouTube

High Blood Pressure and Your Kidneys - A to Z Guide

Video by National Kidney Foundation/YouTube

Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System

Video by Mechanisms in Medicine/YouTube

5 Major Effects of High Blood Pressure - 3D Medical Animation

Video by kreativevistas/YouTube

High Blood Pressure Basics

Video by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube

Hypertension effects on the heart | Health & Medicine | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Hypertension

Video by GABAY MEDICAL library/YouTube

Hypertension and Stroke (Health Tip)

Video by Healthguru/YouTube

Medical Shock - The Correct Treatment

Video by justdoitguides/YouTube

Cardiogenic shock | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Consequences of High Blood Pressure (HBP #2)

Video by Healthguru/YouTube

Shock Explained in 120 Seconds | Treatment, Symptoms, Causes | Video

Video by Lifestyle by IK/YouTube

What is shock? | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Shock - hemodynamics | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

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Hypovolemic shock | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

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Syncope Diagnosed

Video by smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

Syncope Causes

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How the heart actually pumps blood - Edmond Hui

Video by TED-Ed/YouTube

Hypertension - High Blood Pressure, Animation

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British Heart Foundation - Your guide to 24 hour blood pressure and Holter monitoring tests

Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube

What are Palpitations

Video by smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

The Cardiac Cycle, Animation

Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube

Aldosterone raises blood pressure and lowers potassium | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

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Understanding Blood Pressure

Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube

SPRINT Participant Has Blood Pressure Measured

In this image: Mr. Curtis Minor, 58 year old AA Male who is taking part in the SPRINT study at Downtown Health Plaza with Miriam Baird, RN. A major NIH-funded clinical trial has discovered nuanced evidence linking brain and vascular health.

Image by National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Man getting Blood Pressure Reading

Some risk factors for prostate cancer are controllable, some aren't. Knowing what the risk factors are can help you to lower your chances of getting prostate cancer and to make decisions about beginning screening.

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Doctor Taking Woman's Blood Pressure

This image shows a female patient having blood pressure read by a male doctor and by using a blood pressure cuff in a clinical setting. Hypertension is often referred to as the \"silent killer,\" because it can cause no symptoms and go undetected for years. And as hypertension goes undiagnosed, the delicate linings of your blood vessels are being damaged, particularly those of the heart, the kidneys, and the eyes. Hypertension is another word for high blood pressure; it has nothing to do with whether a person is considered tense or high-strung. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force the blood exerts as it pushes against the walls of your arteries. Your blood pressure is measured by a blood pressure cuff that is wrapped around your upper arm. Originally the readings referred to the height of a displaced column of mercury, but as in thermometers, the mercury yardstick is giving way to digital technologies. The \"top\" or first number-systolic pressure-represents the blood's pressure as the heart is contracted. The \"bottom\" or second number-diastolic pressure-represents the blood's pressure in the vessels when the heart is relaxed. Normal blood pressure is in the range of 120 (systolic) over 70 (diastolic).

Image by TheVisualMD

Blood Pressure

Taking a person's blood pressure

Image by BruceBlaus

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is stated as two numbers that represent the highest and lowest pressure your heart attains during a single beat. The first or top number represents the pressure when your heart contracts: the systolic pressure. The second or bottom number represents the pressure when your heart rests between beats: the diastolic pressure.

Image by TheVisualMD

Blood Pressure Ranges

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is an important risk factor for strokes and heart attacks. A physician uses a sphygomomanometer to measure a patient's blood pressure by inflating a rubber cuff around his or her arm. The reading is shown on the scale represented in this image. Systolic pressure refers to the pressure in an artery when the heart beats, or contracts. This number is higher than the diastolic pressure, which is occuring when the heart is at rest, between beats. Average blood pressure for adults is 120/80, with the systolic pressure denoted over the diastolic pressure.

Image by TheVisualMD

Man with Visible Brain and Heart

The most obvious way in which your body manages blood flow and pressure is to change the heart rate. When the pulse rate goes up, in general, the pressure in the system goes up, which in turns drives the blood around the body more quickly. The blood vessels themselves also play an important role in pressure-management. Blood vessels are \"living pipes\". They're elastic and flexible and have special sensors called baroreceptors that monitor the ebb and flow of blood. Baroreceptors are actually nerve bundles that provide immediate feedback to the brain. With this information and depending on the needs of the moment, the arteries dilate and contract to help propel blood through the system. Blood can be diverted to muscles during exercise, for example, or away from the skin during cold weather to avoid heat loss. The arteries can contract to prevent blood loss due to injury or dilate to flood the face for that telling blush.

Image by TheVisualMD

Arm with Blood Pressure Cuff

This diagram represents the number of individuals affected with hypertension. The American Heart Association estimates that nearly one-third of Americans have hypertension.

Image by TheVisualMD

Keeping Blood Pressure Healthy

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Medicating High Blood Pressure

If lifestyle changes don’t reduce blood pressure to an acceptable level, doctors will generally prescribe antihypertensive medications. There are a number of different types of antihypertensives available. The most commonly prescribed include: Thiazide diuretics. Often the first drug prescribed, diuretics dilate blood vessels and also decrease fluid volume in the body by helping the kidneys to eliminate salt and water. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE inhibitors reduce hypertension by dilating arterioles (the smallest divisions of the arteries, linking the arteries and the capillaries). They do this by blocking the production of ACE, a naturally occurring substance that constricts blood vessels. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Like ACE inhibitors, ARBs dilate arterioles, but they accomplish this by preventing ACE from having any effect on the heart and blood vessels. ARBs are often prescribed for people who experience adverse side effects from ACE inhibitors.

Image by TheVisualMD

2:46

What is Blood Pressure?

TheVisualMD

3:36

What is Hypertension?

TheVisualMD

4:32

How blood pressure works - Wilfred Manzano

TED-Ed/YouTube

6:21

What is blood pressure? | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

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10:08

The Heart, Part 1 - Under Pressure: Crash Course A&P #25

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9:34

The Heart, Part 2 - Heart Throbs: Crash Course A&P #26

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1:35

Systole vs. Diastole | Match Health

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9:50

Lub Dub | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

2:49

Understanding Blood Pressure | Human Anatomy and Physiology video 3D animation | elearnin

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12:09

Regulation of blood pressure with baroreceptors | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

12:07

Systolic murmurs, diastolic murmurs, and extra heart sounds - Part 1 | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

14:39

Systolic murmurs, diastolic murmurs, and extra heart sounds - Part 2 | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

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1:46

High Blood Pressure - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

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1:11

Blood Pressure Medicines - What You Need To Know

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3:10

High blood pressure - What is it?

Healthchanneltv / cherishyourhealthtv/YouTube

3:00

Treating High Blood Pressure

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube

3:20

Medicating for High Blood Pressure (HBP #3)

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1:07

High Blood Pressure and Your Kidneys - A to Z Guide

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Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System

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5 Major Effects of High Blood Pressure - 3D Medical Animation

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High Blood Pressure Basics

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7:19

Hypertension effects on the heart | Health & Medicine | Khan Academy

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2:29

Hypertension

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1:04

Hypertension and Stroke (Health Tip)

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2:11

Medical Shock - The Correct Treatment

justdoitguides/YouTube

10:50

Cardiogenic shock | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

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3:03

Consequences of High Blood Pressure (HBP #2)

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2:02

Shock Explained in 120 Seconds | Treatment, Symptoms, Causes | Video

Lifestyle by IK/YouTube

7:15

What is shock? | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

7:40

Shock - hemodynamics | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

9:38

Hypovolemic shock | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

1:09

Syncope Diagnosed

smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

1:45

Syncope Causes

smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

4:28

How the heart actually pumps blood - Edmond Hui

TED-Ed/YouTube

3:49

Hypertension - High Blood Pressure, Animation

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

4:47

British Heart Foundation - Your guide to 24 hour blood pressure and Holter monitoring tests

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

3:15

What are Palpitations

smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

4:11

The Cardiac Cycle, Animation

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

13:18

Aldosterone raises blood pressure and lowers potassium | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

1:55

Understanding Blood Pressure

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

SPRINT Participant Has Blood Pressure Measured

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Man getting Blood Pressure Reading

TheVisualMD

Doctor Taking Woman's Blood Pressure

TheVisualMD

Blood Pressure

BruceBlaus

Blood Pressure

TheVisualMD

Blood Pressure Ranges

TheVisualMD

Man with Visible Brain and Heart

TheVisualMD

Arm with Blood Pressure Cuff

TheVisualMD

Keeping Blood Pressure Healthy

TheVisualMD

Medicating High Blood Pressure

TheVisualMD

Cholesterol Test

Cholesterol Test

Also called: Cholesterol Levels, Blood Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol

A cholesterol test is a blood test that measures the amount of each type of cholesterol and certain fats in your blood. Cholesterol is needed to carry out functions such as hormone and vitamin production. High cholesterol can put you at risk for heart disease.

Cholesterol Test

Also called: Cholesterol Levels, Blood Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol

A cholesterol test is a blood test that measures the amount of each type of cholesterol and certain fats in your blood. Cholesterol is needed to carry out functions such as hormone and vitamin production. High cholesterol can put you at risk for heart disease.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
mg/dL
200
240
Your result is Desirable.
While cholesterol levels can vary widely among healthy individuals, total cholesterol levels below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are considered most desirable.
Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
mg/dL
40
60
Your result is Desirable.
HDL levels between 40-50 mg/dL for men, and 50-60 mg/dl for women, are associated with average risk of heart disease. The higher HDL levels, the better.
Related conditions
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
mg/dL
100
130
160
190
Your result is Optimal.
The optimal level of LDL has changed over time and depends on the number of risk factors you have for heart disease and stroke. Generally, you want your LDL to be low. It's possible to have extremely low levels of LDL, but this is rare.
Related conditions
A cholesterol test is a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and certain fats in your blood. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in your blood and every cell of your body. You need some cholesterol to keep your cells and organs healthy.
Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. But you can also get cholesterol from the foods you eat, especially meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy products. Foods that are high in dietary fat can also make your liver produce more cholesterol.
There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol.
Too much LDL cholesterol in your blood increases your risk for coronary artery disease and other heart diseases. High LDL levels can cause the buildup of a sticky substance called plaque in your arteries. Over time, plaque can narrow your arteries or fully block them. When this happens, parts of your body don't get enough blood:
- If the blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can cause a heart attack.
- If the blood flow to the brain is blocked, it can cause a stroke.
- If the blood flow to the arms or legs is blocked, it can cause peripheral artery disease.
Other names for a cholesterol test: Lipid profile, Lipid panel
A cholesterol test gives you and your health care provider important information about your risk of developing heart disease. If your test shows you have high cholesterol, you can take steps to lower it. This may decrease your risk of developing heart problems in the future. A cholesterol test measures:
- LDL levels. Also known as the "bad" cholesterol, LDL is the main source of blockages in the arteries.
- HDL levels. Considered the "good" cholesterol, HDL helps get rid of "bad" LDL cholesterol.
- Total cholesterol. The combined amount of LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in your blood.
- Triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Some studies show that high levels of triglycerides may increase the risk of heart disease, especially in women.
- VLDL levels. Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is another type of "bad" cholesterol. High VLDL levels have been linked to plaque buildup in the arteries. VLDL isn't usually included in routine cholesterol tests because it's difficult to measure. About half of VLDL is triglycerides, so your VLDL level can be estimated as a percentage of your triglyceride level.
Your provider may order a cholesterol test as part of a routine exam. You may also have a cholesterol test if you have a family history of heart disease or if your risk for heart problems is high because of:
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Smoking
- Excess weight or obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- A diet high in saturated fat
Your age may also be a factor, because your risk for heart disease increases as you get older.

Cholesterol is usually measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. The information below will help you understand what your test results mean. In general, low LDL levels and high HDL cholesterol levels are good for heart health.

Total cholesterol

Total Cholesterol Level	Category
Less than 200mg/dL	Desirable
200-239 mg/dL	Borderline high
240mg/dL and above	High

LDL (bad) cholesterol

LDL (Bad) Cholesterol Level	LDL Cholesterol Category
Less than 100mg/dL	Optimal (best for your health)
100-129mg/dL	Near optimal
130-159 mg/dL	Borderline high
160-189 mg/dL	High
190 mg/dL and above	Very High

HDL (good) cholesterol

HDL (Good) Cholesterol Level	HDL Cholesterol Category
60 mg/dL and higher	Considered protective against heart disease
40-59 mg/dL	The higher, the better
Less than 40 mg/dL	A major risk factor for heart disease

The LDL listed on your results may say "calculated." This means that your LDL level is an estimate based on your total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides. Your LDL level may also be measured "directly" from your blood sample. Either way, you want your LDL number to be low.

A healthy cholesterol level for you may depend on your age, family history, lifestyle, and other risk factors for heart disease, such as high triglyceride levels. Your provider can explain what's right for you.

High cholesterol can lead to heart disease, the number one cause of death in the United States. You can't change some risk factors for high cholesterol, such as age and your genes. But there are actions you can take to lower your LDL levels and reduce your risk, including:
- Eating a healthy diet. Reducing or avoiding foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol can help reduce the cholesterol levels in your blood.
- Losing weight. Being overweight can increase your cholesterol and risk for heart disease.
- Staying active. Regular exercise may help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and raise your HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It may also help you lose weight.
Talk to your provider before making any major change in your diet or exercise routine.

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (12)

Total Cholesterol: Heart

The heart beats about 100,000 times a day, pumping blood through a vast system of arteries, veins and microscopic capillaries. While many risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including cholesterol levels, are related to lifestyle, others are largely genetic.

Image by TheVisualMD

Total Cholesterol: Heart and Liver

The liver produces most of the body's cholesterol in order to package fats in the form of lipoproteins. HDL is referred to as \"good\" cholesterol because it picks up excess cholesterol in the bloodstream and carries it back to the liver for disposal.

Image by TheVisualMD

Total Cholesterol: Thrombus

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) inside a blood vessel. If the clot is large or persistent enough, it can obstruct blood flow, which can starve tissue of oxygen-carrying blood. Most strokes are the result of thrombosis.

Image by TheVisualMD

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Lipids, Heart Health and Baselining Your Health

Your blood "knows" what you eat, meaning that the cardiovascular system is a sensitive barometer of a person's health, including diet. What individuals eat is reflected in their blood chemistry and the health of their heart, arteries and vessels. Fats (also known as lipids), for example, are vital to health and wellbeing throughout our lives and yet they are mostly associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. The problem is that not all fats (or cholesterol) are equal. They share basic chemical similarities, but they also have important differences, which, in turn, result in different roles and effects in the body. Tests that offer information on diet and heart health include total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol), high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol), and triglycerides.

Video by TheVisualMD

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What Is Atherosclerosis?

Voyage inside your body to see where cholesterol is made and how plaques form inside your arteries. Witness the inner workings of your own personal cholesterol factory: your liver. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Peter Fail, and other top experts talk about cholesterol-how it accumulates with other substances in your arteries as plaque, and what happens when plaques rupture. See exactly how tiny stents are inserted in blocked vessels, and view footage of actual bypass surgery. Discover how you can keep your arteries clear and flexible through lifestyle changes and medications.

Video by TheVisualMD

What cholesterol is and what cholesterol blood tests show

Video by Bupa Health UK/YouTube

Cholesterol Blood Test

Video by Baptist Health Physician Partners/YouTube

Cholesterol - what is it and how can you prevent high cholesterol?

Video by Healthchanneltv / cherishyourhealthtv/YouTube

Cholesterol Good and Bad

Video by The National Library of Medicine/YouTube

This browser does not support the video element.

What Is HDL and LDL Cholesterol?

This video explains the difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol. It also reveals what may occur when there are high levels of LDL in the body.LDL may stick to an artery's inner wall causing the build up of plaque, affecting blood flow. When an artery stiffens and constricts, aneurysm, heart attack, and stroke can occur.

Video by TheVisualMD

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Refined Carbohydrates and Atherosclerosis

Refined Carbohydrates and Atherosclerosis : In atherosclerosis, hard, fatty deposits called plaque build up inside your arteries. For decades it was thought that eating too many fatty foods, especially foods rich in cholesterol, was to blame for plaque accumulation.

Video by TheVisualMD

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Cardiovascular Inflammation

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. The most common cause of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries that leads to the hardening of arterial walls and the buildup of fatty deposits called plaques, or atheromas. Although the process of inflammation can be beneficial in other parts of the body, chronic inflammation within arterial walls is problematic as it seems to promote this underlying growth of plaque. The combination of arterial inflammation and the growth of plaque can lead to the rupture of the plaque, and result in a blood clot. Blood clots can lead to dangerous conditions such as heart attack or stroke.

Video by TheVisualMD

Total Cholesterol: Heart

TheVisualMD

Total Cholesterol: Heart and Liver

TheVisualMD

Total Cholesterol: Thrombus

TheVisualMD

2:46

Lipids, Heart Health and Baselining Your Health

TheVisualMD

3:10

What Is Atherosclerosis?

TheVisualMD

3:53

What cholesterol is and what cholesterol blood tests show

Bupa Health UK/YouTube

3:06

Cholesterol Blood Test

Baptist Health Physician Partners/YouTube

2:42

Cholesterol - what is it and how can you prevent high cholesterol?

Healthchanneltv / cherishyourhealthtv/YouTube

3:01

Cholesterol Good and Bad

The National Library of Medicine/YouTube

0:45

What Is HDL and LDL Cholesterol?

TheVisualMD

2:21

Refined Carbohydrates and Atherosclerosis

TheVisualMD

4:26

Cardiovascular Inflammation

TheVisualMD

Hs-CRP Test

Hs-CRP Test

Also called: High-sensitivity c-reactive protein, High-sensitivity CRP, Ultra-sensitive CRP, Cardiac CRP

The high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test is used to measure your heart disease risk even if you seem healthy. It can find much smaller changes in CRP levels than the regular CRP test.

Hs-CRP Test

Also called: High-sensitivity c-reactive protein, High-sensitivity CRP, Ultra-sensitive CRP, Cardiac CRP

The high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test is used to measure your heart disease risk even if you seem healthy. It can find much smaller changes in CRP levels than the regular CRP test.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
mg/L
1
3
10
Your result is Low.
You have a low risk of developing heart disease.
Related conditions
Your doctor may want to order this test if you have a suspected heart disease, or if you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This includes:
- Unbalanced diet
- Physical inactivity (sedentarism)
- Being overweight or obese
- More than 50 years of age in women
- More than 45 years of age in men
- Cigarette smoking
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Family history of early heart disease
- Previously diagnosed heart disease
Your doctor may also want to order this test in case that your blood analysis tests have shown increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, or decreased levels of HDL cholesterol.
The levels of hs-CRP test are related to the risk of heart disease, its results indicate:
- Low risk: 1.00 mg/L
- Average risk: 1.00 - 3.00 mg/L
- High risk: >3.00 mg/L
The levels of hs-CRP rise rapidly in the case of acute inflammation and decrease as the inflammation subsides.
1. MedicineNet. C-Reactive Protein CRP Test, Ranges, Symptoms, and Treatment. Melissa Conrad Stöppler. [accessed on Aug 14, 2018]
2. Kiran Musunuru et al. The use of high-sensitive protein in clinical practice. Published online 2008 Aug 19. [accessed on Aug 14, 2018]
3. Cleveland Clinic. Blood Tests to Determine Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: C-Reactive Protein. Reviewed by Dr. Leslie Cho. [accessed on Aug 14, 2018]
4. Mayo Clinic Mayo Medical Laboratories. Test ID: HSCRP CReactive Protein, High Sensitivity, Serum. [accessed on Aug 14, 2018]
5. LabTests Online. High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP). [accessed on Aug 14, 2018]
6. Pritikin Longevity Centre. What is high-sensitivity C-reactive protein? Can you lower it with food? [accessed on Aug 14, 2018]
7. Doc’s opinion. Blog About Heart Disease, Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle and Prevention of Disease. Hs-CRP. [accessed on Aug 14, 2018]
8. 120766: C-Reactive Protein (CRP), High Sensitivity ... | LabCorp [accessed on Oct 11, 2018]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (17)

CRP And Homocysteine Inflammation Markers, How Do They Relate To Coronary Artery Disease? - Dr. Lyel

Video by EmpowHER/YouTube

Chronic Inflammation: The Root Cause of a Multitude of Diseases

Video by Criticalbench/YouTube

Inflammation and Type 2 Diabetes

Video by WEHImovies/YouTube

Part I - Inflammation

Video by Armando Hasudungan/YouTube

Part II - Inflammation

Video by Armando Hasudungan/YouTube

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What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body's response to damage. It takes many forms. Chronic inflammation is common in overweight and obese people, because their fat cells manufacture damaging substances that trigger a reaction from the immune system's white blood cells. Keeping track of a key biomarker for inflammation, C-reactive Protein or CRP, helps doctors determine whether an overweight patient is at risk for such conditions as heart disease, dementia, diabetes, cancers, and more.

Video by TheVisualMD

C Reactive Protein: Liver and Heart

C-Reactive protein is synthesized by the liver in response to either signals from fat cells (adipocytes) or when there is inflammation throughout the body.

Image by TheVisualMD

C Reactive Protein: Fat cells

Researchers have found that fat cells trigger the production of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is why individuals who are overweight or obese tend to have chronically higher levels of CRP. High levels of CRP are sometimes treated with aspirin or statins.

Image by TheVisualMD

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Molecule

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver; infection and inflammation can trigger the release of CRP within hours. Elevated CRP levels are also seen after a heart attack or surgery. Levels can jump 1000-fold in response to acute inflammation, often rising before the appearance of pain, fever or other clinical symptoms. The high sensitivity version of the test (hs-CRP) measures the same molecule, but in very small amounts, and is used to assess the risk of heart disease in otherwise healthy people. The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a general test for inflammation in the body; it can indicate that inflammation is present, but cannot determine the location or cause. The test is sometimes used to monitor flare-ups of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. A version of the test called high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is used to evaluate a person's risk for heart disease.

Image by TheVisualMD

C-reactive Protein, Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver that is released into the bloodstream by inflammation. CRP levels also seem to be associated with an increased risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis, in which fatty deposits called plaque build up inside the arteries. For this reason, a high sensitivity C-reactive protein test (hs-CRP) is increasingly ordered along with other tests as part of a cardiovascular risk profile (other components of the profile include cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, glucose levels, lifestyle and family history).

Image by TheVisualMD

Phagocytosis - C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver that is released into the bloodstream by inflammation and infection as part of the body's immune response.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver that is released into the bloodstream by inflammation and infection as part of the body's immune response. White blood cells are also mobilized by the immune system and CRP is believed to enhance the activity of the white blood cells called macrophages. Each type of white blood cell has its own specialized immune functions; macrophages, for example, basically engulf and \"eat\" foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Macrophages in the spleen and the liver weed out old and defective red blood cells and break them into recyclables (iron, heme, and some globin) and wastes (such as bilirubin). The bilirubin is then used by the liver to produce bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to aid digestion.

Image by TheVisualMD

CRP High Sensitivity Cardiac Risk Assessment from Walk-in Lab

Video by Walk-In Lab LLC/YouTube

C-reactive Protein, Fat cells

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver that is released into the bloodstream by inflammation and infection as part of the body's immune response. Researchers have found, however, that fat cells also seem to trigger the production of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is why individuals who are overweight or obese tend to have chronically higher levels of CRP.

Image by TheVisualMD

What Can Give False Readings on an hs-CRP Test? : Health Tips

Video by ehowhealth/YouTube

CRP Indicates Heart Disease Risk Video - Brigham and Women's Hospital

Video by Brigham And Women's Hospital/YouTube

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Cardiovascular Inflammation

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. The most common cause of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries that leads to the hardening of arterial walls and the buildup of fatty deposits called plaques, or atheromas. Although the process of inflammation can be beneficial in other parts of the body, chronic inflammation within arterial walls is problematic as it seems to promote this underlying growth of plaque. The combination of arterial inflammation and the growth of plaque can lead to the rupture of the plaque, and result in a blood clot. Blood clots can lead to dangerous conditions such as heart attack or stroke.

Video by TheVisualMD

Inflammation In Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation (VIDEO)

Image by TheVisualMD

2:12

CRP And Homocysteine Inflammation Markers, How Do They Relate To Coronary Artery Disease? - Dr. Lyel

EmpowHER/YouTube

1:35

Chronic Inflammation: The Root Cause of a Multitude of Diseases

Criticalbench/YouTube

5:09

Inflammation and Type 2 Diabetes

WEHImovies/YouTube

8:27

Part I - Inflammation

Armando Hasudungan/YouTube

7:54

Part II - Inflammation

Armando Hasudungan/YouTube

1:57

What Is Inflammation?

TheVisualMD

C Reactive Protein: Liver and Heart

TheVisualMD

C Reactive Protein: Fat cells

TheVisualMD

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Molecule

TheVisualMD

C-reactive Protein, Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease

TheVisualMD

Phagocytosis - C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver that is released into the bloodstream by inflammation and infection as part of the body's immune response.

TheVisualMD

1:51

CRP High Sensitivity Cardiac Risk Assessment from Walk-in Lab

Walk-In Lab LLC/YouTube

C-reactive Protein, Fat cells

TheVisualMD

2:25

What Can Give False Readings on an hs-CRP Test? : Health Tips

ehowhealth/YouTube

3:37

CRP Indicates Heart Disease Risk Video - Brigham and Women's Hospital

Brigham And Women's Hospital/YouTube

4:26

Cardiovascular Inflammation

TheVisualMD

Inflammation In Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation (VIDEO)

TheVisualMD

Lipoprotein (A) Test

Lipoprotein (A) Test

Also called: Cholesterol Lp(a), Lp(a), Lp "Little a", lipoprotein (a) blood test

Lipoprotein(a) is a particle that carries cholesterol, proteins and fats in blood vessels. The level of Lp(a) is genetically inherited and not affected by lifestyle or treatment. Lp(a) test allows to assess the risk of heart disease.

Lipoprotein (A) Test

Also called: Cholesterol Lp(a), Lp(a), Lp "Little a", lipoprotein (a) blood test

Lipoprotein(a) is a particle that carries cholesterol, proteins and fats in blood vessels. The level of Lp(a) is genetically inherited and not affected by lifestyle or treatment. Lp(a) test allows to assess the risk of heart disease.

{"label":"Lipoprotein (A) Reference Range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"hideunits":false,"units":[{"printSymbol":"mg\/dL","code":"mg\/dL","name":"milligram per deciliter"}],"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":30},"text":"Some cholesterol and Lp(a) in your blood is normal.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"High","long":"High","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":30,"max":100},"text":"High levels of Lp(a) in blood are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or narrowed arteries supplying blood to vital organs.","conditions":["Atherosclerosis","Coronary artery disease","Heart attack","Peripheral vascular disease","Aortic stenosis","Thrombosis","Stroke"]}],"value":15}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
mg/dL
30
Your result is Normal.
Some cholesterol and Lp(a) in your blood is normal.
Related conditions
A lipoprotein (a) test measures the level of lipoprotein (a) in your blood. Lipoproteins are substances made of protein and fat that carry cholesterol through your bloodstream. There are two main types of cholesterol:
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol.
Lipoprotein (a) is a type of LDL (bad) cholesterol. A high level of lipoprotein (a) may mean you are at risk for heart disease.
You may need this test if you have:
- Heart disease, despite normal results on other lipid tests
- High cholesterol, despite maintaining a healthy diet
- A family history of heart disease, especially heart disease that has occurred at an early age and/or sudden deaths from heart disease
A high lipoprotein (a) level may mean you are at risk for heart disease. There are no specific treatments to lower lipoprotein (a). Your level of lipoprotein (a) is determined by your genes and is not affected by your lifestyle or by most medicines. But if your test results show a high level of lipoprotein (a), your health care provider may make recommendations to reduce other risk factors that can lead to heart disease. These may include medicines or lifestyle changes such as:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Weight Control
- Quitting smoking
- Getting regular exercise
- Reducing stress
- Lowering blood pressure
- Reducing LDL cholesterol
Certain situations and factors can affect your test results. You should not get a lipoprotein (a) test if you have any of these conditions:
- Fever
- Infection
- Recent and considerable weight loss
- Pregnancy
1. Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test: MedlinePlus Lab Test Information [accessed on Sep 09, 2018]
2. 120188: Lipoprotein(a) | LabCorp [accessed on Sep 09, 2018]
3. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/related-documents/L15045 [accessed on Sep 09, 2018]
4. Understand Inherited Lipoprotein(a) - Lipoprotein(a) Foundation [accessed on Sep 09, 2018]
5. LIPA - Clinical: Lipoprotein (a), Serum [accessed on Sep 09, 2018]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (10)

Lipids and Lipoproteins

Lipids and Lipoproteins

Image by TheVisualMD

Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase: Macrophage

Lp-PLA2 (or lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2) is an enzyme produced by specialized immune cells called macrophages that engulf and destroy pathogens, foreign particles, aging cells and biological debris.

Image by TheVisualMD

Lp-PLA2, Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. There is no single biomarker that can perfectly predict a person's risk of heart disease; half of all people who suffer heart attacks have normal cholesterol. This is why researchers have developed additional biomarkers for heart disease, such as Lp-PLA2 (or lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2), an enzyme linked to the inflammation of blood vessels. Individuals with high levels of Lp-PLA2 are at much higher risk of heart attack and stroke even if their cholesterol levels are normal.

Image by TheVisualMD

Lipoproteins

Lipid logistics: transport of triglycerides and cholesterol in organisms in form of lipoproteins as chylomicrons, VLDL, LDL, IDL, HDL.

Image by Peter Forster

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and Stroke

Video by Children's Stroke Foundation/YouTube

Lipoprotein(a) Foundation Thanks Bob Harper ...

Video by BusinessWire/YouTube

What Is Lipoprotein(a)?

Video by Rush University System for Health/YouTube

High Cholesterol Medical Animation (Hyperlipidemia)

Video by Silverback Video/YouTube

What is FH?

Video by NationalLipid/YouTube

Jeanine's Story

Video by Rush University System for Health/YouTube

Lipids and Lipoproteins

TheVisualMD

Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase: Macrophage

TheVisualMD

Lp-PLA2, Coronary heart disease

TheVisualMD

Lipoproteins

Peter Forster

4:09

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and Stroke

Children's Stroke Foundation/YouTube

2:20

Lipoprotein(a) Foundation Thanks Bob Harper ...

BusinessWire/YouTube

3:47

What Is Lipoprotein(a)?

Rush University System for Health/YouTube

1:19

High Cholesterol Medical Animation (Hyperlipidemia)

Silverback Video/YouTube

1:54

What is FH?

NationalLipid/YouTube

2:48

Jeanine's Story

Rush University System for Health/YouTube

Ceramides Test

Ceramides Test

Also called: Plasma Ceramides

The test measures blood concentrations of plasma ceramides, a class of lipids that are highly linked to cardiovascular disease processes. Ceramides are lipids and, like cholesterol, are carried by LDL and become embedded in the arterial wall of atherosclerotic plaques.

Ceramides Test

Also called: Plasma Ceramides

The test measures blood concentrations of plasma ceramides, a class of lipids that are highly linked to cardiovascular disease processes. Ceramides are lipids and, like cholesterol, are carried by LDL and become embedded in the arterial wall of atherosclerotic plaques.

{"label":"Ceramides Reference Range","scale":"lin","step":1,"hideunits":false,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"LR","long":"Lower risk","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":3},"text":"The ceramide risk score is calculated based on the results for all measured ceramides. Ceramides are complex lipids that play a central role in cell membrane integrity, cellular stress response, inflammatory signaling, and apoptosis.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"borderline","label":{"short":"MR","long":"Moderate risk","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":3,"max":7},"text":"A higher score is correlated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"IR","long":"Increased risk","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":7,"max":10},"text":"A higher score is correlated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.","conditions":["Atherosclerosis","Ischemic heart disease","Myocardial infarction","Hypertension","Stroke","Type 2 diabetes mellitus","Insulin resistance","Obesity"]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"HR","long":"Higher risk","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":10,"max":12},"text":"A higher score is correlated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and in one study, a score of greater than or equal to 10 was associated with more than twice the mortality risk at 18 years compared to scores less than or equal to two. ","conditions":["Atherosclerosis","Ischemic heart disease","Myocardial infarction","Hypertension","Stroke","Type 2 diabetes mellitus","Insulin resistance","Obesity"]}],"value":2}[{"normal":0},{"borderline":0},{"abnormal":0},{"abnormal":1}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
3
7
10
Your result is Lower risk.
The ceramide risk score is calculated based on the results for all measured ceramides. Ceramides are complex lipids that play a central role in cell membrane integrity, cellular stress response, inflammatory signaling, and apoptosis.
Related conditions
1. Mayo Clinic: Ceramides, Plasma [accessed on Nov 10, 2020]
2. Ceramides: A class of lipids with links to heart disease. Mayo Clinic. [accessed on Nov 10, 2020]
3. Mark Nicholls, Plasma ceramides and cardiac risk, European Heart Journal, Volume 38, Issue 18, 7 May 2017, Pages 1359–1360, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehx205 [accessed on Nov 10, 2020]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Brain Natriuretic Peptide Tests

Brain Natriuretic Peptide Tests

Also called: BNP, NT-proBNP, Natriuretic Peptide Test, N-Terminal Pro B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Test

Natriuretic peptide tests measure levels of BNP or NT-proBNP in a sample of your blood. Natriuretic peptides are proteins that your heart and blood vessels make. High levels of either substance in the blood can be a sign of heart failure.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide Tests

Also called: BNP, NT-proBNP, Natriuretic Peptide Test, N-Terminal Pro B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Test

Natriuretic peptide tests measure levels of BNP or NT-proBNP in a sample of your blood. Natriuretic peptides are proteins that your heart and blood vessels make. High levels of either substance in the blood can be a sign of heart failure.

{"label":"BNP reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"hideunits":false,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":100},"text":"B-type natriuretic peptide test reference values can widely vary according to a person\u2019s sex and age.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"High","long":"High","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":100,"max":500},"text":"High levels of BNP indicate heart failure.","conditions":["Congestive heart failure","Left ventricular hypertrophy","Acute myocardial infarction","Coronary angioplasty","Hypertension","Kidney disease"]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"pg\/mL","code":"pg\/mL","name":"picogram per milliliter"}],"value":50,"disclaimer":"Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are \"within normal limits.\""}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
pg/mL
100
Your result is Normal.
B-type natriuretic peptide test reference values can widely vary according to a person’s sex and age.
Related conditions
{"label":"NT-proBNP reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"hideunits":false,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":100},"text":"NT-proBNP test reference values can widely vary according to a person\u2019s sex and age.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"High","long":"High","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":100,"max":500},"text":"High levels of NT-proBNP indicate heart failure.","conditions":["Congestive heart failure","Left ventricular hypertrophy","Acute myocardial infarction","Coronary angioplasty","Hypertension","Kidney disease"]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"pg\/mL","code":"pg\/mL","name":"picogram per milliliter"}],"value":50,"disclaimer":"Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are \"within normal limits.\""}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
pg/mL
100
Your result is Normal.
NT-proBNP test reference values can widely vary according to a person’s sex and age.
Related conditions
Natriuretic peptides are proteins that your heart and blood vessels make. Natriuretic peptide tests measure the amount of these proteins in a sample of your blood. They are mainly used to help confirm or rule out heart failure in people who have symptoms.
Heart failure is also called congestive heart failure. If you have this condition, your heart has trouble pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to meet your body's needs.
Two types of natriuretic peptides can be measured to check for possible heart failure. Your health care provider will decide which of these peptides to test:
- Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a protein that's a type of hormone. A hormone is a chemical messenger in your bloodstream that controls the actions of certain cells or organs. BNP has "brain" in its name because that's where researchers first discovered it. Your heart makes and releases BNP into your bloodstream when it's working harder than normal to pump blood.
  The BNP tells your blood vessels to open wider and your kidneys to get rid of water and salt through urine (pee). This helps reduce the workload on your heart by lowering blood pressure and reducing the amount of blood your heart has to pump.
- N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a protein that's an "ingredient" for making the BNP hormone. Like BNP, your heart makes larger amounts of NT-proBNP when it has to work harder to pump blood.
It's normal to have some BNP and NT-proBNP in your bloodstream. But higher than normal levels for your age and sex may be a sign of heart failure.
Other names: brain natriuretic peptide, NT-pro B-type natriuretic peptide test, B-type natriuretic peptide, N terminal proBNP
A BNP test or an NT-proBNP test is mainly used to help diagnose or rule out heart failure in a person who is having symptoms. Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of heart failure, but other conditions can cause the same type of breathing problems.
If a person with shortness of breath has normal BNP or NT-proBNP levels, heart failure can usually be ruled out. If high BNP or NT-proBNP levels are found, other tests will usually be done to confirm that heart failure is causing the symptoms.
For people who have already been diagnosed with heart failure, the test may be used to:
- Find out how serious their heart condition is
- Predict the chances that their condition will get worse
- Check if an increase in symptoms means that heart failure has gotten worse
In certain cases, the test may also be used to monitor the heart health of people who:
- Have had a heart attack
- Have a heart condition that suddenly reduces the flow of blood to the heart, such as unstable angina
You may need a BNP test or an NT-proBNP test if you have symptoms that could mean you have heart failure. These include:
- Feeling short of breath
- Swelling in your abdomen (belly), feet, legs, and/or veins in your neck
- Fatigue and/or general weakness
- Coughing
- Inability to sleep lying flat
- Needing to urinate (pee) a lot, especially at night
- Loss of appetite and nausea
If you have already been diagnosed with heart failure, your provider may order one of these tests to learn more about your condition.
The meaning of your test results will depend on your age, sex, medical history, family history, and the results of other tests. Ask your provider to explain what the results of your BNP or NT-proBNP test say about your health and how this information may affect your treatment.
A BNP or NT-proBNP test alone can't diagnose the cause of your symptoms. But in general, if you have symptoms that could be caused by heart failure:
- Normal results on a BNP or NT-proBNP usually mean that you're unlikely to have heart failure. Your provider may order other tests to find out what's causing your symptoms.
  If you have obesity, your weight may affect the accuracy of your test results, making your levels lower than they really are. If your provider suspects heart failure, you may have other heart health tests even if your BNP or NT-proBNP levels are normal.
- Higher than normal levels of BNP or NT-proBNP mean that you could have heart failure. Your provider will probably order other heart health tests to help make a final diagnosis.
In most cases, the higher the level of your test results, the more serious your heart failure may be. But other health conditions can increase BNP and NT-proBNP levels. That's why your medical history is important for understanding whether high test results mean you have heart failure.
Other conditions that can cause high levels of BNP and NT-proBNP include:
- Kidney failure
- Other types of heart disease, including conditions that affect your heart valves or heart muscle
- Certain lung disorders, including a blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolism) and high blood pressure in your lungs (pulmonary hypertension)
If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
1. Natriuretic Peptide Tests (BNP, NT-proBNP): MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Jan 19, 2024]
2. Brain natriuretic peptide test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Jan 19, 2024]
3. Brain Natriuretic Peptide Test (BNP and NT-proBNP) - Testing.com. Jan 21, 2022 [accessed on Jan 19, 2024]

Additional Materials (2)

Heart Revealing Blood in Left Ventricle

TheVisualMD

Human Heart with Enlarged Left Ventricle

TheVisualMD

Troponin Test

Troponin Test

Also called: Cardiac Troponin, cTn, Cardiac-Specific Troponin, Troponin (I or T)

A troponin test measures the level of troponin in a sample of your blood. Troponin is a protein that's found in the cells of your heart muscle. High troponin levels may be a sign of a heart attack.

Troponin Test

Also called: Cardiac Troponin, cTn, Cardiac-Specific Troponin, Troponin (I or T)

A troponin test measures the level of troponin in a sample of your blood. Troponin is a protein that's found in the cells of your heart muscle. High troponin levels may be a sign of a heart attack.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
ng/L
47
Your result is Normal.
Normal troponin levels in the blood are usually so low, they can't be found on most blood tests. If your results show normal troponin levels for 12 hours after chest pain has started, it's unlikely that your symptoms were caused by a heart attack.
Related conditions
{"label":"Troponin T reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"hideunits":false,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":22},"text":"Normal troponin levels in the blood are usually so low, they can't be found on most blood tests. If your results show normal troponin levels for 12 hours after chest pain has started, it's unlikely that your symptoms were caused by a heart attack.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"High","long":"High","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":22,"max":100},"text":"Mild increases in troponin levels indicate some heart damage while very high increases in troponin levels are usually related to heart attack.","conditions":["Myocardial infarction (heart attack)","Abnormally fast heart beat","Pulmonary hypertension","Pulmonary embolus","Congestive heart failure","Coronary artery spasm","Myocarditis","Strenuous exercise","Trauma to heart","Cardiomyopathy"]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"ng\/L","code":"ng\/L","name":"nanogram per liter"}],"value":11,"disclaimer":"Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are \"within normal limits.\""}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
ng/L
22
Your result is Normal.
Normal troponin levels in the blood are usually so low, they can't be found on most blood tests. If your results show normal troponin levels for 12 hours after chest pain has started, it's unlikely that your symptoms were caused by a heart attack.
Related conditions
A troponin test is mainly used to:
- Confirm if a person is having a heart attack or recently had a heart attack. This is the most common reason for troponin testing. The test is usually done in the emergency room of a hospital along with other heart tests, such as an EKG (also called an ECG or electrocardiogram).
- Diagnose and monitor unstable angina. Angina is chest pain that happens if part of the heart muscle doesn't get as much blood as it needs. Unstable angina is a type of angina that happens at any time, even during rest. It's a medical emergency because it can lead to a heart attack.
- Check heart health after a surgery that could damage the heart. In this case, a troponin test may be done before and after surgery so that the results can be compared.
You may need a troponin test if you have symptoms of a heart attack. The symptoms can start slowly or suddenly. They may be mild or intense, and they can come and go over several hours. They include:
- Chest pain, heaviness, or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or above your belly button
- Trouble breathing when resting or doing light physical activity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling unusually tired for no reason, sometimes for days
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Sweating a lot for no reason
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
If you have symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Quick medical attention could save your life.
You may also need troponin testing if you're having surgery that could affect your heart.
To understand the results of a troponin test for chest pain and/or other symptoms of a heart attack, your provider will consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other tests.
In general:
- If your first troponin test results are normal, you'll probably be retested during the next 12 hours. That's because increased troponin levels usually don't show up for about 2 to 3 hours after a heart attack begins. So, results from a later test may show higher than normal troponin levels. In the meantime, the results of other tests and exams will help your provider know whether to start treatment for a heart attack right away.
- If your troponin test results show normal troponin levels 12 hours after your symptoms began, you probably did not have a heart attack.
- If your test results show higher than normal amounts of troponin in your blood, it usually means you have some damage in your heart muscle. Your provider will consider all the information about your condition to diagnose whether a heart attack caused the damage. Very high troponin levels most often mean you've had a heart attack.
Higher than normal troponin levels don't always mean you've had a heart attack. They can be caused by unstable angina many other conditions that can damage the heart, including:
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), especially a heartbeat that's too fast
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Infection or inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- Heart surgery
- Intense exercise over a long time, such as running a marathon
- Chest injuries
- Chronic kidney disease
- A blood clot in your lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Sepsis
- A severe COVID-19 infection
If you have high troponin levels, but your provider doesn't think you've had a heart attack, you may have other tests to find the cause.
If you have questions about your test results, talk with your provider.
1. Troponin Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Jan 18, 2024]
2. Troponin Test (cTN) - Testing.com. Apr 12, 2022 [accessed on Jan 18, 2024]

Additional Materials (13)

Myocardial infarction - Post-infarction ventricular septal defect

Post-infarction echocardiographic views of ventricular septal defect

Image by Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator; C. Carl Jaffe, MD, cardiologist

Traumatized Muscle Tissue

This is a scanning electron microscope image of traumatized muscle tissue taken from a soldier injured during Operation Enduring Freedom. It shows a red blood cell (false color) entangled in nanofibrous extracellular matrix. Highly fibrotic regions such as these are thought to precede bone formation during abnormal wound healing, leading to heterotopic ossification, the formation of bone in locations outside the skeleton, such as soft tissue.

Image by Gregory Christopherson, Ph.D. and Leon Nesti, M.D., Ph.D., NIAMS Cartilage Biology and Orthopaedics Branch

Myocardial infarction - Post-infarction ventricular septal defect

Post-infarction ventricular septal defect, short axis echocardiography view

Image by Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator; C. Carl Jaffe, MD, cardiologist

Myocardial infarction

Inferior wall infarction, short axis echocardiography view

Image by Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator; C. Carl Jaffe, MD, cardiologist

Angiogram Revealing Coronary Blockage

Doctors use angiograms as an effective imaging tool for visualizing and locating blockages or inconsistencies in blood flow. Contrast dye is used to illuminate the interior of the coronary arteries as blood passes through them. This angiogram reveals blockage in the left main coronary artery, supplying the left side of the heart. The left ventricle of the heart is responsible for exerting a powerful force pushing blood out from the heart, through the aorta, to be delivered throughout the entire body. The patient may be at serious risk of heart disease, including heart attack. If the heart does not have the blood supply it needs to perform its job of pumping volumes of blood to the entire body, organ systems will not be able to function.

Image by TheVisualMD

Heart Attack Caused by Ischemia

Thromboembolisms can cause heart attacks. A clot may lodge in one of the heart's coronary arteries (the arteries that supply the heart muscle tissue with blood) and block blood flow. The tissue becomes starved of oxygen (a condition called ischemia) and is damaged or dies.

Image by TheVisualMD

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Blockage Leads to Heart Attack

Risk factors increase the likelihood that you'll develop cardiovascular disease, and the more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing it. Fortunately, most of these risk factors are within your control, like high cholesterol and high blood pressure levels, being overweight, smoking, lack of exercise, overconsumption of alcohol, unmanaged diabetes, and stress. Factors you can't control include genetics and aging.

Video by TheVisualMD

This browser does not support the video element.

Understanding Heart Attacks

Watch Dr. Mehmet Oz and other renowned cardiologists as they talk about this major killer, known in the medical world as a "myocardial infarction." Step inside the human body in a way that lets you completely understand what a heart attack is all bout, how and why they happen, what to do in the event of a heart attack, and how you can take steps to avoiding one.

Video by TheVisualMD

How tropomyosin and troponin regulate muscle contraction | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by Khan Academy/YouTube

Troponin I Nursing Considerations, Normal Range, Nursing Care Lab Values Nursing

Video by NURSINGcom/YouTube

Complications after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Troponin Test

Video by DrER.tv/YouTube

Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a), Heart Attack

LDL, HDL and total cholesterol have become standard biomarkers for heart disease. And yet half of all people who suffer heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels. For that reason, researchers have looked for other biomarkers that might help identify people at risk for cardiovascular disease. Lp(a) is a lipoprotein that closely resembles LDL, and like LDL, elevated levels of Lp(a) are associated with a higher risk of heart disease. Unlike LDL, however, Lp(a) levels are believed to be largely genetic.

Image by TheVisualMD

Myocardial infarction - Post-infarction ventricular septal defect

Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator; C. Carl Jaffe, MD, cardiologist

Traumatized Muscle Tissue

Gregory Christopherson, Ph.D. and Leon Nesti, M.D., Ph.D., NIAMS Cartilage Biology and Orthopaedics Branch

Myocardial infarction - Post-infarction ventricular septal defect

Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator; C. Carl Jaffe, MD, cardiologist

Myocardial infarction

Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator; C. Carl Jaffe, MD, cardiologist

Angiogram Revealing Coronary Blockage

TheVisualMD

Heart Attack Caused by Ischemia

TheVisualMD

0:23

Blockage Leads to Heart Attack

TheVisualMD

3:52

Understanding Heart Attacks

TheVisualMD

9:22

How tropomyosin and troponin regulate muscle contraction | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Khan Academy/YouTube

2:42

Troponin I Nursing Considerations, Normal Range, Nursing Care Lab Values Nursing

NURSINGcom/YouTube

9:08

Complications after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

4:58

Troponin Test

DrER.tv/YouTube

Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a), Heart Attack

TheVisualMD

Electrocardiogram

Electrocardiogram

Also called: EKG, ECG

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test that measures electrical signals in your heart. An abnormal EKG can be a sign of heart damage or disease.

Electrocardiogram

Also called: EKG, ECG

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test that measures electrical signals in your heart. An abnormal EKG can be a sign of heart damage or disease.

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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
Your result is Normal.
EKG results are normal with a consistent heartbeat and rhythm.
Related conditions
An electrocardiogram (EKG) test is a simple, painless, and quick test that records your heart's electrical activity. Each time your heart beats, an electrical signal travels through your heart. The signal triggers your heart's four chambers to contract (squeeze) in the proper rhythm so that your heart can pump blood to your body.
An EKG recording of these signals looks like wavy lines. Your provider can read these lines to look for abnormal heart activity that may be a sign of heart disease or damage.
An EKG can show:
- How fast your heart is beating
- Whether the rhythm of your heartbeat is steady or irregular
- The strength and timing of the electrical signals passing through each part of your heart
Sometimes information from an EKG can help measure the size and position of your heart's chambers.
An EKG is often the first test you'll have if you have signs of a heart condition. It may be done in your provider's office, an outpatient clinic, in a hospital before surgery, or as part of another heart test called a stress test.
An EKG test is also called an ECG. EKG is based on the German spelling, elektrokardiogramm. EKG may be preferred over ECG to avoid confusion with an EEG, a test that measures brain waves.
An EKG test is used to help diagnose and monitor many types of heart conditions and their treatment. These conditions include:
- Arrhythmia
- Cardiomyopathy
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart valve diseases
- Congenital heart defects
EKG tests are mainly used for people who have symptoms of a heart condition or have already been diagnosed with a heart condition. They are not generally used to screen people who don't have symptoms unless they have an increased risk of developing heart disease. Your provider can explain your risk for heart disease and let you know if need to have an EKG test. In certain cases, your provider may have you see a cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in heart diseases.
You may need an EKG test if you have symptoms of a heart condition, including:
- Chest pain
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- A decrease in your ability to exercise
You may also need an EKG to:
- Find out if you had a heart attack in the past but didn't know it
- Monitor your heart if you have a known heart condition
- Check how well your heart treatment is working, including medicine and/or a pacemaker
- Check your heart health:
  Before having surgery
  If you have an increased risk for developing heart disease because:
  Heart disease runs in your family
  You have another condition, such as diabetes, that makes your risk higher than normal
An EKG test only takes a few minutes. It generally includes these steps:
- You will lie on an exam table.
- A provider will place several electrodes (small sensors that stick to your skin) on your arms, legs, and chest. The provider may need to shave body hair to make sure the electrodes stay on.
- The electrodes are attached by wires to a computer or a special EKG machine
- You will lie very still while your heart's electrical activity is recorded on a computer or printed on paper by an EKG machine.
An EKG is a "snapshot" of your heart's activity over a very short time. If you have heart symptoms that come and go, a regular EKG may not catch the problem. In that case, your provider may recommend that you wear a small portable EKG monitor that can record your heart for days or longer while you do your normal activities. You may also need a longer EKG recording if your provider wants to check how well your heart is working after a heart attack or to see if treatment is helping you.
There are many types of long-term EKG monitors. The two main groups are Holter monitors, which can be worn for up to two days, and event monitors, which may record your heart activity for weeks to years depending on the type.
A Holter monitor is about the size of a small camera. You usually wear it on a belt or strap around your neck for a day or two. Wires under your clothes attach to electrodes that stick to your chest. The monitor records your heart's electrical signals the whole time you're wearing it. You may be asked to keep a diary of your symptoms during the test period. After the test period, you remove the monitor and return it according to the instructions. A provider will review the recording of your heart's electrical activity from the monitor.
An event monitor records your heart's electrical activity when you press a button or when the device detects abnormal heart activity. There two main types of event monitors:
- Event monitors that you wear or carry with you. You wear some monitors on your chest or wrist. Other monitors are designed to carry. If you have symptoms, you hold the monitor to your chest. These event monitors may be used for weeks to months. Some of them wirelessly transmit information about your heart to a provider. Others must be returned so a provider can examine the recorded information.
- Event monitors that are inserted under the skin of your chest. These are called implantable event monitors. They are put under your skin during minor surgery that's often done in a doctor's office. These monitors can track your heart's electrical activity for years. You may need this type of EKG monitor if you had a stroke or frequent fainting, and your provider hasn't found the cause. Implantable monitors wirelessly transmit the information they record so your provider can regularly check it.
1. Electrocardiogram: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Mar 09, 2023]
2. Electrocardiogram: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Feb 04, 2019]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (35)

How to Read an Electrocardiogram (ECG): Introduction – Cardiology | Lecturio

Video by Lecturio Medical/YouTube

Major Types of Heart Block

Video by Jeff Otjen/YouTube

How An ECG Works

Video by LivingHealthyChicago/YouTube

This browser does not support the video element.

What are Arrhythmias?

Your heart is electric. In this video you'll see how your heart's electrical system works, and what happens when it malfunctions. Voyage inside the human body as Dr. Mehmet Oz and others explain the dangers of heart arrhythmias, including tachycardia, bradycardia, and atrial fibrillation.

Video by TheVisualMD

12 Lead ECG Explained, Animation

Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube

Bundle Branch Block, Animation.

Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube

QRS Transitional Zone. See link for real voice update in description!

Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube

ECG Interpretation Basics - ST Segment Changes. See link for real voice update in description!

Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube

Cardiac Axis Interpretation. See link for real voice update in description!

Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube

Electrical system of the heart | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Cardiovascular | EKG Basics

Video by Ninja Nerd/YouTube

Cardiovascular | EKG's

Video by Ninja Nerd/YouTube

Normal sinus rhythm on an EKG | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Cardiac Conduction System and Understanding ECG, Animation.

Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube

Willem Einthoven and the ECG - Stuff of Genius

Video by Stuff of Genius - HowStuffWorks/YouTube

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A useful tool for determining whether a person has heart disease, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. An ECG, which is painless (no electricity is sent through the body), is used to measure damage to the heart, how fast the heart is beating and whether it is beating normally, the effects of drugs or devices used to control the heart (such as a pacemaker), and the size and position of the heart chambers.

Image by TheVisualMD

Cardiac cycle

Cardiac Cycle vs Electrocardiogram

Image by OpenStax College

Medical Checkups

Image by TheVisualMD

Electrocardiogram

Electrocardiograms (EKGs) are the most commonly given test used to diagnose coronary artery disease. They record the heart's electrical activity and show evidence of angina or heart attack.

Image by TheVisualMD

electrocardiogram-illustration made up from Medications

https://pixabay.com/en/electrocardiogram-blood-pressure-ekg-2858693/

Image by GDJ

Electrocardiogram

A normal tracing shows the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave. Also indicated are the PR, QT, QRS, and ST intervals, plus the P-R and S-T segments.

Image by CNX Openstax

What To Expect After an Electrocardiogram

Normal ECG/EKG complex with labels

Image by Derivative: Hazmat2 Original: Hank van Helvete

Cardiac Stress Test

The image shows a patient having a stress test. Electrodes are attached to the patient's chest and connected to an EKG (electrocardiogram) machine. The EKG records the heart's electrical activity. A blood pressure cuff is used to record the patient's blood pressure while he walks on a treadmill.

Image by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Relationship between the Cardiac Cycle and ECG

Initially, both the atria and ventricles are relaxed (diastole). The P wave represents depolarization of the atria and is followed by atrial contraction (systole). Atrial systole extends until the QRS complex, at which point, the atria relax. The QRS complex represents depolarization of the ventricles and is followed by ventricular contraction. The T wave represents the repolarization of the ventricles and marks the beginning of ventricular relaxation.

Image by CNX Openstax

The Electric Heart

Image by TheVisualMD

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

Electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test used to measure the electrical activity of the heart.

Image by U.S. National Library of Medicine

Comparison of Arrhythmia and Normal ECG

As the muscle tissue in an overstressed heart expands, it tears and scars. The resulting tissue - hardened and marred - does not conduct electricity well. The result is that the system can no longer be relied on to deliver the carefully synchronized pattern of jolts needed to keep the heart pumping smoothly. Doctors call it \"arrhythmia.\" The heart is literally \"skipping a beat.\" This can be measured by an electrocardiogram (ECG). In some cases, arrhythmia can mean simply that the heartbeat is too fast or too slow - a bothersome but not necessarily life-threatening condition. In the worst cases, the arrhythmia indicates a potentially lethal instability in the heart's electric system. The signals that control the heart's contractions get crossed and the heart spasms. If not corrected immediately, this fibrillation of the heart is often fatal. In the U.S., more than 1,000 people die every day from sudden cardiac death, or cardiac arrest.

Image by TheVisualMD

Heart Revealing Chamber and Valve

Your heart beats faster or slower depending on information from your brain, which monitors your body's need for blood. However, the basic rhythm of your heart is automatic; it does not depend on signals from your brain. Your heart cells can generate their own electrical signals, which trigger the contractions and cause the entire heart to pump in synchrony. A specialized bundle of muscle and nerve cells called the sinoatrial node (SA node) sits at the top of the right atrium and is the pacemaker of the heart. It generates the signal for the atria to contract and send blood to the ventricles. A similar node - the atrioventricular or AV node - sits at the atrioventricular septum near the bottom of the right atrium and relays the signal from the SA node to the ventricles to contract and pump blood out of the heart. An electrocardiogram (ECG) measures the electrical signals given off by these two nodes and their conduction through the heart. By looking at the frequency and the height of the peaks and valleys of these signals on an ECG, healthcare professionals get a very good idea of how well the electrical system of your heart is working.

Image by TheVisualMD

Electrocardigram

An electrocardiogram (EKG) detects and records the heart's electrical activity. When the electrical impulse passes through the atria a small peak is recorded (P), followed by a steep spike as it erupts through the ventricles (R), and then another small peak (T) as the wave passes through and the heart repolarizes (recharges) itself for the next beat.

Image by TheVisualMD

Electro- cardiogram

Electrocardiograms, or EKGs, record the electrical activity of the heart. Since injured heart muscle conducts electrical impulses abnormally, the EKG shows if the patient has had or is having a heart attack. It is usually the first test performed.

Image by TheVisualMD

SinusRhythmLabels

Schematic diagram of normal sinus rhythm for a human heart as seen on ECG. In atrial fibrillation, however, the P waves, which represent depolarization of the atria, are absent.

Image by Agateller (Anthony Atkielski)

How To Use an Automated External Defibrillator

The image shows a typical setup using an automated external defibrillator (AED). The AED has step-by-step instructions and voice prompts that enable an untrained bystander to correctly use the machine.

Image by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Who Needs an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator?

Lead II (2) ECG EKG strip of an AICD ICD converting a patient back into thier baseline cardiac ryhthm. The AICD fires near the end of the strip, where the straight line is seen.

Image by Public Domain

Cardiac Cycle

CG Animated Human Heart cut section showing the atria, ventricles and valves, synced with wiggers diagram.

Image by DrJanaOfficial/Wikimedia

Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels

The beating of the heart is regulated by an electrical impulse that causes the characteristic reading of an ECG. The signal is initiated at the sinoatrial valve. The signal then (a) spreads to the atria, causing them to contract. The signal is (b) delayed at the atrioventricular node before it is passed on to the (c) heart apex. The delay allows the atria to relax before the (d) ventricles contract. The final part of the ECG cycle prepares the heart for the next beat.

Image by CNX Openstax

9:53

How to Read an Electrocardiogram (ECG): Introduction – Cardiology | Lecturio

Lecturio Medical/YouTube

9:23

Major Types of Heart Block

Jeff Otjen/YouTube

2:45

How An ECG Works

LivingHealthyChicago/YouTube

3:27

What are Arrhythmias?

TheVisualMD

3:27

12 Lead ECG Explained, Animation

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

3:48

Bundle Branch Block, Animation.

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

3:50

QRS Transitional Zone. See link for real voice update in description!

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

1:24

ECG Interpretation Basics - ST Segment Changes. See link for real voice update in description!

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

3:32

Cardiac Axis Interpretation. See link for real voice update in description!

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

9:43

Electrical system of the heart | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

52:29

Cardiovascular | EKG Basics

Ninja Nerd/YouTube

20:37

Cardiovascular | EKG's

Ninja Nerd/YouTube

8:53

Normal sinus rhythm on an EKG | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

3:45

Cardiac Conduction System and Understanding ECG, Animation.

Alila Medical Media/YouTube

1:46

Willem Einthoven and the ECG - Stuff of Genius

Stuff of Genius - HowStuffWorks/YouTube

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

TheVisualMD

Cardiac cycle

OpenStax College

Medical Checkups

TheVisualMD

Electrocardiogram

TheVisualMD

electrocardiogram-illustration made up from Medications

GDJ

Electrocardiogram

CNX Openstax

What To Expect After an Electrocardiogram

Derivative: Hazmat2 Original: Hank van Helvete

Cardiac Stress Test

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Relationship between the Cardiac Cycle and ECG

CNX Openstax

The Electric Heart

TheVisualMD

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

U.S. National Library of Medicine

Comparison of Arrhythmia and Normal ECG

TheVisualMD

Heart Revealing Chamber and Valve

TheVisualMD

Electrocardigram

TheVisualMD

Electro- cardiogram

TheVisualMD

SinusRhythmLabels

Agateller (Anthony Atkielski)

How To Use an Automated External Defibrillator

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Who Needs an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator?

Public Domain

Cardiac Cycle

DrJanaOfficial/Wikimedia

Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels

CNX Openstax

What Is Blood Pressure?

This browser does not support the video element.

What is Blood Pressure?

Video by TheVisualMD

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as the heart pumps blood. When a health care professional measures your blood pressure, they use a blood pressure cuff around your arm that gradually tightens. The results are given in two numbers. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, is the pressure caused by your heart contracting and pushing out blood. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure when your heart relaxes and fills with blood.

A blood pressure reading is given as the systolic blood pressure number over the diastolic blood pressure number. Blood pressure levels are classified based on those two numbers.

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is systolic blood pressure lower than 90 or diastolic blood pressure lower than 60. If you have low blood pressure, you may feel lightheaded, weak, dizzy, or even faint. It can be caused by not getting enough fluids, blood loss, some medical conditions, or medications, including those prescribed for high blood pressure.
Normal blood pressure for most adults is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80.
Elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure between 120 and 129 with a diastolic pressure of less than 80.
High blood pressure is defined as 130 or higher for the first number, or 80 or higher for the second number.

For older adults, often the first number (systolic) is 130 or higher, but the second number (diastolic) is less than 80. This problem is called isolated systolic hypertension and is due to age-related stiffening of the major arteries. It is the most common form of high blood pressure in older adults and can lead to serious health problems in addition to shortness of breath during light physical activity, lightheadedness upon standing too fast, and falls.

One reason to visit your doctor regularly is to have your blood pressure checked and, if needed, plan how to manage your blood pressure.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (9)

Heart Cycle in Systole / Heart Cycle in Diastole

Systole and Diastole

Systole - Period of contraction of the HEART, especially of the HEART VENTRICLES. Diastole - Post-systolic relaxation of the HEART, especially the HEART VENTRICLES. There are two phases of the cardiac cycle: systole and diastole. Systole is the phase during which the heart contracts, pushing blood out of the left and right ventricles, into the systemic and pulmonary circulation respectively. The ventricles fill with more and more blood until the pressure is great enough against the semilunar valves that they open, allowing the blood to enter the aorta and pulmonary trunk. Systolic pressure is the blood pressure felt in your arteries when your heart beats. Blood pressure is denoted as a fraction, with the systolic pressure being the top number. Blood pressure higher than the average of 120/80 enters the range of hypertension.

Interactive by TheVisualMD

Blood Pressure & Mean Arterial Pressure - MEDZCOOL

Video by Medzcool/YouTube

Isolated systolic hypertension - Most common hypertension among elderly

Video by Kote's Medical Animations/YouTube

Blood pressure measurement - OSCE guide

Video by Geeky Medics/YouTube

Stages of hypertension | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube

Low Blood Pressure Hypotension-Home Health Corner

Video by AmeriStaff Nursing Services/YouTube

Understanding Blood Pressure

Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube

High Blood Pressure Basics

Video by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube

British Heart Foundation - How to measure your own blood pressure

Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube

Systole and Diastole

TheVisualMD

2:16

Blood Pressure & Mean Arterial Pressure - MEDZCOOL

Medzcool/YouTube

4:13

Isolated systolic hypertension - Most common hypertension among elderly

Kote's Medical Animations/YouTube

2:43

Blood pressure measurement - OSCE guide

Geeky Medics/YouTube

6:14

Stages of hypertension | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine/YouTube

9:28

Low Blood Pressure Hypotension-Home Health Corner

AmeriStaff Nursing Services/YouTube

1:55

Understanding Blood Pressure

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

1:32

High Blood Pressure Basics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube

1:44

British Heart Foundation - How to measure your own blood pressure

British Heart Foundation/YouTube

What Is Heart Attack?

What Is a Heart Attack?

Image by TheVisualMD

What Is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood in one or more of the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle, suddenly becomes blocked, and a section of heart muscle can’t get enough oxygen. The blockage is usually caused when a plaque ruptures. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, either by a medicine that dissolves the blockage or a catheter placed within the artery that physically opens the blockage, the section of heart muscle begins to die.

Heart attacks are a leading killer of both men and women. Each year, more than 1 million people in the United States have a heart attack, and about half of them die. Half of those who die do so within 1 hour of the start of symptoms and before reaching the hospital.

Look up the definitions of unfamiliar heart health terms in the Heart Health Glossary.

A heart attack is an emergency. Learn the warning signs of a heart attack. The signs can include:

Crushing chest pain or pressure and/or discomfort or pain elsewhere in the upper body, neck, or arms
Nausea
A cold sweat
Fainting or lightheadedness
Shortness of breath

If you or someone you know might be having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away. Also call 9-1-1 if you are taking prescription drugs for angina (chest pain) and the pain doesn’t go away as usual after you take the medication. You need to take an ambulance to the hospital as soon as possible. Do not try to drive yourself, and do not have someone else drive you unless there is no ambulance service where you live. While waiting for the ambulance, the patient can be given one regular strength or baby aspirin and told to chew and swallow it if possible.

The sooner you get to a hospital, the more emergency medical professionals can do to stop any heart damage and prevent deadly heart rhythm problems, heart failure, and death. If blood flow in the blocked artery can be restored quickly, permanent heart damage may be prevented. Yet, many people do not seek medical care for 2 hours or more after symptoms start.

The good news is that excellent treatments are available for heart attacks. These treatments—which work best when given right after symptoms occur—can save lives and prevent disabilities.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (11)

Acute Myocardial Infarction - Heart Attack

Video by markivmedcom/YouTube

What causes a heart attack?

Video by multiedmedical/YouTube

Symptoms of Heart Attack: Types of Heart Attacks

Video by Cleveland Clinic/YouTube

What Causes a Heart Attack

Video by smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

How is a Heart Attack Diagnosed

Video by smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

How is a Heart Attack Treated

Video by smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

Elizabeth Banks in "Just a Little Heart Attack"

Video by American Heart Association/YouTube

What causes a heart attack?

Video by Heart Foundation NZ/YouTube

Women experiencing symptoms due to blockage of coronary arteries

Image by TheVisualMD

Heart Attack

Over time, LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of the coronary arteries and form hard plaques, reducing blood supply to the heart. This stiffening and narrowing of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. Sometimes the surface of a plaque ruptures, releasing substances that make platelets stickier and encouraging clots to form on the surface of the plaque. The clot can block the flow of blood through the already-narrowed artery entirely. Without blood, heart muscle tissue starts to die in what's termed a "myocardial infarction" a heart attack.

Image by TheVisualMD

Atheroma - Plaque Attack

Plaque Attack : Plaques can build up in any of your body's arteries. When they accumulate in your coronary arteries-the vessels that feed your heart-they can reduce blood supply and cause angina (chest pain), or cut supply off completely, producing a heart attack.

Image by TheVisualMD

2:18

Acute Myocardial Infarction - Heart Attack

markivmedcom/YouTube

2:54

What causes a heart attack?

multiedmedical/YouTube

1:45

Symptoms of Heart Attack: Types of Heart Attacks

Cleveland Clinic/YouTube

3:03

What Causes a Heart Attack

smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

2:10

How is a Heart Attack Diagnosed

smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

2:40

How is a Heart Attack Treated

smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

3:14

Elizabeth Banks in "Just a Little Heart Attack"

American Heart Association/YouTube

3:56

What causes a heart attack?

Heart Foundation NZ/YouTube

Women experiencing symptoms due to blockage of coronary arteries

TheVisualMD

Heart Attack

TheVisualMD

Atheroma - Plaque Attack

TheVisualMD

What Is Heart Failure?

Depiction of a person suffering from heart failure

Image by https://www.myupchar.com

What Is Heart Failure?

Heart failure is a serious but common condition. In heart failure, the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart gets weaker, or if it gets more difficult to adequately fill the heart with blood between heartbeats. It can affect either the right, the left, or both sides of the heart. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped working or is about to stop working.

When heart failure affects the left side of the heart, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. When heart failure affects the right side of the heart, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. When the heart is weakened by heart failure, fluid can back up into the lungs, and fluid builds up in the feet, ankles, and legs. People with heart failure often experience tiredness and shortness of breath.

In people over age 65, heart failure is also caused by a thickened and stiff heart muscle that relaxes too slowly, causing fluid to back up into the lungs when the heart is stressed, such as during physical activity. Long-term hypertension and obesity are risk factors for this type of heart failure. Symptoms include shortness of breath when active, at rest, and while lying flat, as well as swelling in the legs and feet. Although the heart muscle is not damaged or weak in this type of heart failure, it can be a very debilitating condition if not treated.

Heart failure is caused by other diseases or conditions that damage the heart muscle, such as coronary heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Treating these problems before the heart muscle is damaged can prevent heart failure.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (8)

6:29

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Explained - MADE EASY

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Congestive Heart Failure Animation

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1:53

Rise Above Heart Failure: Get the Facts

American Heart Association/YouTube

3:29

How is Heart Failure Treated

smallcogbigmachine/YouTube

2:12

How Do You Treat Congestive Heart Failure

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6:23

Medication of Heart Failure – Cardiology | Lecturio

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Prevent and Living with Congestive Heart Failure

CDC

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure?

NHLBI, NIH

Can Heart Disease Be Prevented?

The Cardiovascular Continuum

Image by TheVisualMD

What Can I Do to Prevent Heart Disease?

There are many steps you can take to keep your heart healthy.

Try to be more physically active. Talk with your doctor about the type of activities that would be best for you. If possible, aim to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Every day is best. It doesn't have to be done all at once.

Start by doing activities you enjoy—brisk walking, dancing, bowling, bicycling, or gardening, for example. Avoid spending hours every day sitting.

If you smoke, quit. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Smoking adds to the damage to artery walls. It's never too late to get some benefit from quitting smoking. Quitting, even in later life, can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer over time.

Follow a heart-healthy diet. Choose foods that are low in trans and saturated fats, added sugars, and salt. As we get older, we become more sensitive to salt, which can cause swelling in the legs and feet. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fiber, like those made from whole grains. Get more information on healthy eating from NIA. You also can find information on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Patterns.

Keep a healthy weight. Balancing the calories you eat and drink with the calories burned by being physically active helps to maintain a healthy weight. Some ways you can maintain a healthy weight include limiting portion size and being physically active. Learn more about how to maintain a healthy weight from NIA.

Keep your diabetes, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol under control. Follow your doctor's advice to manage these conditions, and take medications as directed.

Cholesterol
High blood cholesterol levels can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries. Your doctor can check the level of cholesterol in your blood with a blood test. You must be fasting overnight or for 8 hours before this blood test. This will tell you your overall or total cholesterol level as well as LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("healthy" cholesterol), and triglycerides (another type of fat in the blood that puts you at risk for heart problems).

Don't drink a lot of alcohol. Men should not have more than two drinks a day and women only one. One drink is equal to:

One 12-ounce can or bottle of regular beer, ale, or wine cooler
One 8- or 9-ounce can or bottle of malt liquor
One 5-ounce glass of red or white wine
One 1.5-ounce shot glass of distilled spirits like gin, rum, tequila, vodka, or whiskey

Manage stress. Learn how to manage stress, relax, and cope with problems to improve physical and emotional health. Consider activities such as a stress management program, meditation, physical activity, and talking things out with friends or family.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (6)

3:37

Cardiovascular Continuum

TheVisualMD

0:53

Be Active — Keep Your Heart Healthy!

NHLBI/YouTube

10:59

How to eat a heart-healthy diet

Sunnybrook Hospital/YouTube

1:55

How Exercise Improves Heart Health – Healthfirst Healthy Living

Healthfirst/YouTube

0:43

Quit Smoking to Keep your Heart Healthy

NHLBI/YouTube

1:01

Mayo Clinic Minute: Heart-healthy diet for women

Mayo Clinic/YouTube

The Future of Research

The Cardiovascular Continuum

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Cardiovascular Continuum 1) Childhood and adolescence (0-20 years) 2) Adulthood (21-40) 3) Middle Age (41-60)

Interactive by TheVisualMD

The Future of Research on Aging and the Heart

Adults age 65 and older are more likely than younger people to suffer from cardiovascular disease, which is problems with the heart, blood vessels, or both. Aging can cause changes in the heart and blood vessels that may increase a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

To understand how aging is linked to cardiovascular disease so that we can ultimately develop cures for this group of diseases, we need to first understand what is happening in the healthy but aging heart and blood vessels. This understanding has advanced dramatically in the past 30 years.

Today, more than ever, scientists understand what causes your blood vessels and heart to age and how your aging cardiovascular system leads to cardiovascular disease. In addition, they have pinpointed risk factors that increase the odds a person will develop cardiovascular disease. They are learning much more about how physical activity, diet, and other lifestyle factors influence the "rate of aging" in the healthy heart and arteries. The aging of other organ systems, including the muscles, kidneys, and lungs, also likely contributes to heart disease. Research is ongoing to unravel how these aging systems influence each other, which may reveal new targets for treatments.

In the future, interventions or treatments that slow accelerated aging of the heart and arteries in young and middle-aged people who seem to be healthy could prevent or delay the onset of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disorders in later life. Some interventions that we already know slow the rate of aging in the heart and arteries include healthy eating, exercise, reducing stress, and quitting smoking. The more we understand the changes that take place in cells and molecules during aging, for example, the closer we get to the possibility of designing drugs that target those changes. Gene therapies can also target specific cellular changes and could potentially be a way to intervene in the aging process. While waiting for these new therapies to be developed, you can still enjoy activities, like exercise and a healthy diet, that can benefit your heart.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Additional Materials (3)

1:23

Researchers try to slow aging to cure heart disease

WISN 12 News/YouTube

1:59

The Importance of Research for Heart Disease Prevention and Treatment

NHLBI/YouTube

4:55

Heart Disease Research and Treatment, a Conversation with Dr. Wu

Stanford Health Care/YouTube

Heart Health Glossary

Marvel of the Cardiovascular System

Image by TheVisualMD

Heart Health Glossary

Angina

Angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is chest pain or discomfort that occurs if an area of your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain also can occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina pain may even feel like indigestion.

Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia (ah-RITH-me-ah) is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.

Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis (ahr-teer-ee-o-skluh-roh-sis) is when the large arteries become stiffer and less elastic as you get older. These changes are caused by deposits of collagen and scar tissue as well as a decrease in the molecules that make the arterial wall flexible and elastic. These changes result in high blood pressure, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, and disease of the kidneys, brain, and eyes.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (ath-uh-roh-skluh-roh-sis), which is a type of arteriosclerosis, describes the buildup of plaque within the arterial wall. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body. While aging changes, such as arteriosclerosis (or increased arterial stiffness), increase the risk of atherosclerosis, aging changes do not directly cause atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is the term for all types of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels, including coronary heart disease (plaque accumulation in arteries), which can cause heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease.

Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) (also known as coronary artery disease or heart disease) is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram, also called an ECG or EKG, is a simple, painless test that detects and records your heart's electrical activity. This test helps to diagnose a heart attack or arrhythmia.

Heart attack

A heart attack (also known as myocardial infarction) happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart muscle can't get enough oxygen. If blood flow isn't restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die.

Heart failure

Heart failure (also known as congestive heart failure) is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. In some cases, the heart can't fill with enough blood. In other cases, the heart can't pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force. Some people have both problems.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a common disease in which blood flows through blood vessels (arteries) at higher-than-normal pressures.

Stroke

A stroke occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a portion of the brain is blocked. Without oxygen, brain cells start to die after a few minutes. Sudden bleeding in the brain also can cause a stroke if it damages brain cells.

Sudden cardiac arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) (also known as cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death) is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. If this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be started immediately if SCA is witnessed. The heart rhythm can be restored by an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

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