Cardiology
Is a Bypass the Same as Open Heart Surgery? Full Explanation
No, a bypass is not exactly the same as open heart surgery, though the two terms are often used interchangeably by patients and even in casual conversation. Open heart surgery is a broad medical category that refers to any operation…
Are Sock Marks a Sign of Heart Disease? Cause, Warning Signs
Sock marks are the indentation lines left on your skin after you remove tight-fitting socks, and in most cases they are completely harmless and fade within a few minutes. However, when these marks become deep, painful, or take hours to…
Why Would a Doctor Order an Ultrasound of the Heart? Guide
A doctor may order an ultrasound of the heart, medically known as an echocardiogram, to closely examine how well the heart is working. This painless imaging test uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart's chambers, valves,…
Can I Go to Urgent Care for Chest Pain? Know When to Act
In most cases, the honest answer is no — chest pain is one of the few symptoms where urgent care is not the safest first stop. Asking "can I go to urgent care for chest pain" usually means you are…
Does the Digestive System Work With the Circulatory System?
Your body runs on teamwork, and few partnerships matter more than the one between digestion and circulation. Every bite of food you eat is useless until it reaches your cells, and that journey depends entirely on your blood. So how…
Can Ativan Lower Blood Pressure? What You Need to Know
Many people taking lorazepam, sold under the brand name Ativan, want to know can Ativan lower blood pressure and whether this effect is something to worry about. The short answer is yes, Ativan can lower blood pressure, though this happens…
Lower Back Pain and Heart Attacks: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and When to Seek Help
The connection between lower back pain and heart attacks is not something most people think about, but in some cases, back pain can be an unexpected warning sign of a serious heart problem. While lower back pain is usually caused…