In complete heart block the top and bottom of the heart stop communicating, and a backup rhythm takes over. It is serious, and it is also among the most fixable problems in cardiology.
Most people leave hospital with a DOAC and a thin explanation of what it does. Here is what apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran actually do, what to expect, and the few situations that need action.
Blood pressure that stays high despite three or more medications has a name, and in most cases an explanation. What clinicians check first, why spironolactone is usually the fourth medicine added, and how narrow the role of renal denervation really is.
Most people are home within hours of a coronary angiogram, but knowing what to expect from the TR band, the results conversation, and the days after makes a real difference.
Vascepa, known as Vazkepa in Australia, is a prescription omega-3 medication. In the REDUCE-IT trial it reduced serious cardiovascular events by 25% in high-risk patients already on a statin. Here is who it is for and how it differs from fish oil.
Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac around the heart. The pain is sharp, worse lying flat, better sitting forward, and alarming enough to mimic a heart attack. Here is what causes it and what the evidence supports.
Being told you have heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction can be confusing. Here is what ejection fraction means and why the distinction matters for treatment.
Being told you need a pacemaker can feel like a significant moment. In practice it is one of the most established procedures in cardiology, and for a heart beating too slowly the difference it makes is usually large and quick.
A simple, non-invasive CT scan that detects calcified plaque in the arteries years before symptoms appear. If you or someone you know has been referred for a calcium score, this guide explains exactly what it measures, what your result means, and what to do next.
Explore the full guide
Understand how your heart works, the anatomy, the rhythm, and what keeps it beating well.
Explore Special FocusHeart disease affects women differently. Our dedicated guide covers symptoms, risks, and what to watch for.
Explore ReferencePlain-language definitions of cardiology terms, from arrhythmia to valve disease, explained clearly.
Explore Patient SafetyThe symptoms that should never be ignored and why getting checked is always the right decision.
Explore Patient GuideMake the most of every appointment. The right questions to ask about your diagnosis, tests, and treatment.
Explore DownloadsDownloadable charts, checklists and guides to help you understand your heart health and prepare for appointments.
Explore
47,000+ subscribers · Latest videos
Causes, symptoms, tests and treatments. Everything you need to know.
Explore →Downloadable charts, guides and tools for your heart health.
Explore →Plain-language definitions of cardiology terms, explained clearly.
Explore →
By Professor Peter Barlis, Interventional Cardiologist and Founding Editor, Heart Matters. Published by Wiley.
Buy on AmazonFrom heart-healthy recipes to guides on exercise, sleep, and managing stress, our Live Well section puts the practical side of cardiovascular health in one place.
Explore Live Well
