Lipids cannot dissolve in plasma unless the body first renders them water-soluble by combining them with specific proteins. The resultant particles are called lipoproteins. These come in several sizes and vary in the amounts of cholesterol and triglyceride they contain. Cholesterol is carried mainly in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and to lesser extent in high … Read more
Hyperlipidaemia is the medical term for too much fat in the blood. Lipids, or fats, are normal constituents of the watery part of the blood, known as plasma. There are several different types of lipid but only two need concern us here, cholesterol and triglyceride. Cholesterol is an important constituent of all our cells. Part … Read more
As stated earlier, the patient makes the first diagnosis. It is the doctor’s job to determine whether the palpitations are normal and require no treatment or abnormal in which case appropriate treatment can be given. The frequency and duration of the attacks can be relevant and a description of the patient’s sensations with the palpitations … Read more
Tachycardias (rapid beating) If ectopic beats come in runs and occur rapidly they are called tachycardias, taking their name from the site of origin of the ectopic e.g., atria, AV node or ventricular tachycardias. These tachycardias cause symptoms because the heart rate is increased to approximately 200 beats a minute. At this rate the heart … Read more
The heart has four chambers, two upper ones called the atria and two lower ones called the ventricles. The whole heart works electrically by a very small surge of current which is controlled by the pacemaker (the sinus node). The pacemaker lies in the right atrium and generates rhythmical electrical impulses which pass through both … Read more
“I’m very worried doctor, I’ve got these terrible palpitations.” Doctors often see patients who express this anxiety. What are palpitations? Palpitations are an awareness of the heart-beating either rapidly. missing beats or thumping in the chest. We have all experienced palpitations because they occur in everyday life. Emotion, exercise, fever, stomach upsets, alcohol ingestion and … Read more
Coronary Heart Disease -the facts by D G Julian and C Marley pwed by Oxford University Press. Heart Disease -what it is and how it is treated by John Wallwork and Rob Stepney published by Blackwell. Exercise for Life free chapter published by the British Heart Foundation, 14 Fitzhardinge Street, London WIH 4DH. The Light-Hearted … Read more
Raised blood pressure also increases the risk of stroke. It is now routine for adults to have their blood pressure measured at intervals when they visit their general practitioner. If you haven’t had it measured within appointment to see your doctor or the last 2 or 3 years it is worth making an practice nurse, … Read more
First, remember that your risk depends on the combination of all the risk factors mentioned above. Even if your blood pressure is slightly raised, for example, your risk may be no more than average if most or all of the other characteristics ar favourable. This conclusion applies especially to the blood cholesterol level, which is … Read more
How far you need to take up the suggestions in this chapter obviously depends partly on your risk of a heart attack. In the United Kingdom, no one is completely safe from the possibility of a heart attack. But the risk does differ considerably from one person to another according to a number of characteristics. … Read more