Health Knowledge
Evidence-based health information from international medical institutions and clinical research.
- Vital Signs
- Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease
- Risk Factors
Health 101
Vital Signs
What is Vital Sign?
Vital Signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions such as heart rate, respiration rate, body temperature, and blood pressure.
Why monitor Vital Signs?
Vital Signs are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems. (Source: Johns Hopkins University)
Blood Pressure
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body.
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day, but it can damage your heart and cause health problems if it stays high for a long time. (Source: US CDC)
Heart Disease
What is heart disease?
The term "heart disease" refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
Sometimes heart disease may be "silent" and not diagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia. When these events happen, symptoms may include: Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Arrhythmia: Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations). Heart failure: Shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins.
Risk Factors
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of people in the United States (47%) have at least one of these three risk factors. Two several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including: Diabetes Overweight and obesity Unhealthy diet Physical inactivity Excessive alcohol use
