What is renal artery stenosis?

Renal artery stenosis is a narrowing of the artery that carries blood to the kidney. It may occur in one or both arteries and its branches. When the artery is fully blocked then it is known as renal artery occlusion. As the artery narrows it reduces the blood flow to the kidney and this gradually compromises kidney function and even structure. As with narrowing of other arteries in the body, it tends to occur as a consequence of atherosclerosis where fatty plaques build up in the artery wall. Eventually blockage arises with a blood clot. Renal artery stenosis more often occurs in older patients and may account for about one-fifth of kidney diseases in people older than 50 years.

continue reading Renal Artery Stenosis (Narrow Kidney Artery)

The heart wall has three layers and the thickest of these is the middle muscular layer. This is known as the myocardium. It is also the most active part of the wall since the heart is a pump that contracts and relaxes to circulate blood. Even a minor injury or damage of the heart muscle can affect blood circulation, lead to serious complications or rapidly progress to death.

What is myocardial rupture?

Myocardial rupture is a tear that occurs in the muscle layer of the heart wall. The tear can occur in the inner walls which divides the heart into separate chambers or on the outer wall which keeps the circulating blood within the heart. A myocardial rupture can also involve the tiny muscles that pull on the heart valves, the cords connected to these muscles and the heart valves, or even the flaps of the heart valves itself. The outlook for a myocardial rupture depends on where the tear occurs. Sometimes death is almost instant despite prompt medical attention. At other times medical treatment can prove to be life saving. However, the overall outlook for a myocardial rupture is poor.

continue reading Myocardial Rupture (Heart Muscle Tear)

Tumors are abnormal growths and the word elicits much fear in people. We have all heard of tumors in the skin, stomach and bowels, throat or lungs, bone and the bladder. We also know that tumors can occur anywhere in the body but what most people do not know is that tumors may even occur in the heart. Although uncommon, these tumors can have serious consequences and even prove to be fatal.

What are cardiac tumors?

A cardiac tumor is any abnormality in cell growth within the heart tissue. It can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Most cardiac tumors are benign but in the heart it is just as serious as malignant tumors (cancer). These benign tumors can seriously affect heart function even when small and with the heart being a vital organ, the smallest of benign tumors can be life threatening. With blood constantly through the heart, a benign tumor can break off and travel through the bloodstream (embolus) until it blocks a smaller blood vessel elsewhere in the body. Malignant tumors (cancers) destroy the heart as it grows and spreads. It is also more likely to break off, travel through the bloodstream and lodge elsewhere in the body where it will cause cancer.

continue reading Cardiac Tumors (Heart Cancer and Benign Growth)

What is telangiectasia?

Telangiectasia is the visibly widened blood vessels on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. Most cases are not associated with any disease and apart from the cosmetic impact, it does not cause any long term problems. This is known as primary essential telangiectasia and is not due to any structural abnormality or disease process at the site. Bleeding is rare with primary essential telangiectasia.

There are certain forms of diseases and deformities of the blood vessels that can also be considered as primary telangiectasia. In some cases telangiectasia may arise with certain underlying disorders not specific to the blood vessels and it is then referred to as secondary telangiectasia. The disease process may cause the blood vessels to be very fragile and rupture easily. This causes bleeding under the skin and nosebleeds when the vessels in the nasal lining are broken.

continue reading Telangiectasia (Tiny Visible Blood Vessels on the Skin)

The veins in the leg return oxygen-deficient blood laden with wastes back to the liver and heart for processing. There are two systems of veins in the lower leg – the superficial veins and the deep veins. The superficial veins lies just a short distance under the skin and empty into the deep veins. A common vein problem seen in the superficial veins is where it becomes enlarged – dilated (stretched) and tortuous (twisted) – known as varicose veins. The deep veins sit deeper in the leg covered by muscle and fascia. It carries the blood to the thigh which then travels to the trunk. A common and very serious problem that can arise in these deep veins is when a blood clot partially or completely blocks the vein. This can be dangerous if the clot dislodges from here and blocks an artery of the lung which can be fatal.

continue reading Deep Venous Thrombosis (Leg Vein Clot), DVT Pictures, Symptoms