Angina pectoris is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort caused by coronary artery disease. It happens when the heart muscle doesn't get as much blood as it needs. This is usually because one or more of the heart's arteries is narrowed or blocked, also known as ischaemia. Definition of the pathology
Arteritis is an inflammation of your arteries that damages the walls of your blood vessels and reduces blood flow to your organs. There are different types of arteritis. The symptoms and complications depend on which arteries are affected and how badly they are damaged. Definition of the pathology
Atherosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body (arteries) become thick and stiff - sometimes restricting blood flow to organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. But over time, the walls of the arteries can harden, a condition commonly known as atherosclerosis. Definition of the pathology
An arrhythmia occurs when the electrical signals that tell the heart to beat don't work properly. Your heart may beat too fast or too slow. Or the pattern of the heartbeat may be irregular. An arrhythmia can feel like a fluttering, pounding or racing heartbeat. Some arrhythmias are harmless. Definition of the pathology
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition that occurs when your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. This can happen if your heart can't fill up with enough blood. It can also happen if your heart is too weak to pump properly. Definition of the pathology
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher). It is common but can be serious if left untreated. People with high blood pressure may not have any symptoms. The only way to know is to have your blood pressure checked. Definition of the pathology
Hypotension occurs when blood pressure is much lower than normal. This means that the heart, brain and other parts of the body may not get enough blood. Normal blood pressure is usually between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. The medical term for low blood pressure is hypotension. Definition of the pathology
Myocardial infarction (MI), colloquially known as a "heart attack", is caused by reduced or complete loss of blood flow to a portion of the heart muscle. Myocardial infarction can be "silent" and go undetected, or it can be a catastrophic event leading to haemodynamic deterioration and sudden death. Definition of the pathology
Phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein near the surface of the skin. It is not usually serious and often goes away within a week or two. Click here for a natural treatment protocol. Definition of the pathology
Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition that causes reduced blood flow to the fingers. In some cases it also causes reduced blood flow to the ears, toes, nipples, knees or nose. Spasms of the blood vessels occur in response to cold, stress or emotional upset. Definition of the pathology
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain are damaged or killed. A stroke can cause permanent brain damage, long-term disability or even death. Definition of the pathology
Thrombosis occurs when blood clots block a vein or artery. Symptoms include pain and swelling in a leg, chest pain or numbness on one side of the body. Complications of thrombosis can be life-threatening, such as stroke or heart attack. Definition of the pathology
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don't allow blood to return to your heart. Normally, the valves in your veins ensure that blood flows towards your heart. But if these valves don't work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to pool (accumulate) in your legs. Definition of the pathology
Venous ulcers are leg ulcers caused by problems with blood flow (circulation) in your leg veins. Normally, when you get a cut or scrape, your body's healing process starts working to close the wound. In time, the wound will heal. However, ulcers may not heal without proper treatment. Definition of the pathology
