Atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease (CAD), plays a major role in the leading cause of death in this country: heart attack. Learn more about this disease and a common procedure used to treat it.
Detailed information on a cardiac catheterization procedure, including how the procedure is performed, reasons for the procedure, and pre- and post-evaluation instructions
Did you know that electrical currents flow throughout your body? Because the strongest of these travels through your heart, doctors are able to monitor your heart by placing electrical sensors on the surface of your skin. They do this by giving you an electrocardiogram -- abbreviated either ECG or EKG (from the original German spelling of the word).
When you feel chest pain from blocked arteries, you might see an interventional cardiologist for treatment.
The cardiac stent is an important tool for opening arteries narrowed by heart disease. New guidelines from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions call for doctors to evaluate patients carefully to determine whether a stent is appropriate and whether it should be a bare metal stent or one coated with slow-release medication.