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Heart and Circulation

Learn about your heart and blood circulation

Photo of older married couple sitting on bench

It's not always easy to tell if you're having problems with blood vessels in your heart and your body. You can't feel plaque building up in your arteries. That's a scary thought for anyone who is concerned about high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Plaque buildup can have long-term effects on your heart and blood flow. And it doesn't just affect your heart. Plaque buildup can happen in your leg arteries too. Our topics can help you see what tests, lifestyle changes, and treatments are right for you.

To learn more, explore these topics:

More Information

Health Topics
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Acute Coronary Syndrome Alan's Story: Coping With Change After a Heart Attack Alcohol and Heart Disease Alcohol Increases the Risk of Cold Injury Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy Allen Test American Heart Association Healthy Diet Guidelines Anesthesia Anesthesia: Malignant Hyperthermia Response Angina Angioplasty for Coronary Artery Disease Angioplasty for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Angioplasty for Peripheral Arterial Disease of the Legs Anticoagulants: What to Do if You Miss a Dose Aortic Aneurysm Aortic Dissection Aortic Valve Regurgitation Aortic Valve Regurgitation: Deciding About Surgery Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery Aortic Valve Stenosis Aortic Valve Stenosis Complications Aortic Valve Stenosis: Treatment When You Have Other Heart Problems Aortobifemoral Bypass for Peripheral Arterial Disease Arrhythmias and Sexual Activity Arrhythmias: Foods That Affect Heart Rate Arturo's Story: Getting Support for Making a Change Aspirin Atherectomy for Coronary Artery Disease Atherosclerosis Atrial Fibrillation Atrial Fibrillation and Daily Life Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Balloon Valvotomy for Mitral Valve Stenosis Balloon Valvuloplasty for Aortic Valve Stenosis Birth Control Pills, Hormone Therapy, and Coronary Artery Disease Blood Clots in the Leg Veins Blood Pressure Numbers: When to Get Help Blood Pressure Screening Blood Tests for Preeclampsia Bradycardia (Slow Heart Rate) Brain Aneurysm: Endovascular Coil Embolization Cardiac Arrest Cardiac Cachexia Cardiac Device Monitoring Cardiac Output Cardiac Rehabilitation Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase I: In the Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase II: Hospital to Home Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase III: Outpatient Program Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV: Long-Term Lifestyle Change Cardiac Rehabilitation Team Cardiac Rehabilitation: Medicine and Exercise Cardiac Rehabilitation: Monitoring Your Body's Response to Exercise Cardiac Rehabilitation: Weight and Resistance Training Cardiomyopathy Cardiovascular Syphilis Carotid Artery Stenting Carotid Endarterectomy for TIA and Stroke Catheter Ablation for a Fast Heart Rate Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Central Venous Catheters Change in Heartbeat Chest Problems Chilblains (Perniosis) Cholesterol and Stroke Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Eating Fish and Fish Oil Cholesterol in Children and Teens Classification of Heart Failure Cold Exposure: Ways the Body Loses Heat Comparing Nicotine Replacement Methods Compression Stockings for Deep Vein Thrombosis Compression Stockings for Varicose Veins Congenital Heart Defect Types Congenital Heart Defects Congenital Heart Defects in Adults Congenital Heart Defects That Cause Aortic Valve Stenosis Congenital Heart Defects: Caring for Your Child Congenital Heart Defects: Complications Congenital Heart Defects: Exercise and Sports Congenital Heart Defects: Pregnancy Congenital Heart Defects: Prostaglandins and Prostaglandin Inhibitors Coronary Arteries and Heart Function Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: How It Is Done Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: How to Prepare Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Recovering in the Hospital Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Self-Care for Recovery Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: The Recovery Process Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: What to Expect After You Go Home Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Day One of Recovery Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Minimally Invasive Methods Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: When You Arrive at the Hospital Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Your Medical Team Coronary Artery Disease Coronary Artery Disease Risk Screening Coronary Artery Disease: Eating Fish to Lower Your Risk Coronary Artery Disease: Helping a Loved One Coronary Artery Disease: Roles of Different Doctors Corticosteroid Treatment for Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis DASH Diet Sample Menu Deep Vein Thrombosis Depression and Coronary Artery Disease Diabetes: Amputation for Foot Problems Diastolic Heart Failure Dilated Cardiomyopathy Diuretics and Potassium Supplements Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo Driving a Car After a Stroke Drug-Eluting Stents Eclampsia (Seizures) and Preeclampsia Electrical Cardioversion (Defibrillation) for a Fast Heart Rate Electrical Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation Electrical System of the Heart Endocarditis Endovascular Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Exercising to Prevent a Stroke Fainting Familial Lipid Disorders Family History of Heart Disease Fast Heart Rate Femoral-Tibial Bypass Surgery for Peripheral Arterial Disease Femoropopliteal Bypass (Fem-Pop Bypass) for Peripheral Arterial Disease Fournier's Gangrene General Anesthesia Genetic Test for Clopidogrel Headaches in Children Health Tracking Forms and Checklists Heart Arrhythmias and Exercise Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Heart Attack: How to Prevent Another One Heart Block Heart Disease: Prevention Myths Heart Failure Heart Failure and Sexual Activity Heart Failure and Sleep Problems Heart Failure Complications Heart Failure Stages Heart Failure Symptoms Heart Failure Types Heart Failure: Avoiding Colds and Flu Heart Failure: Compensation by the Heart and Body Heart Failure: Disease Management Programs Heart Failure: Eating a Healthy Diet Heart Failure: Less Common Symptoms Heart Failure: Tips for Caregivers Heart Failure: Tips for Easier Breathing Heart Murmur Heart Rhythm Problems and Driving Heart Rhythm Problems: Diary of Symptoms Heart Rhythm Problems: How to Travel Safely Heart Rhythm Problems: Symptoms Heart Tests: When Do You Need Them? Heart Transplant Heart Valve Disease Heart Valve Disease and Pregnancy Heart Valve Replacement Surgery Heart Valve Replacement Surgery: Life After Surgery Heart Valve Replacement Surgery: Minimally Invasive Methods Heart Valve Replacement: How to Prepare Heart Valve Surgery: Recovery Heart-Healthy Eating Heart-Healthy Lifestyle HELLP Syndrome and Preeclampsia Helping a Loved One After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Hemorrhagic Stroke High Blood Pressure High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy High Blood Pressure in African Americans High Blood Pressure Treatment Guidelines High Blood Pressure: Nutrition Tips High Cholesterol High Cholesterol Treatment Guidelines Based on Heart Attack Risk High Cholesterol: Effect of Food on Cholesterol High Cholesterol: Healthy Food Choices High Cholesterol: How a Dietitian Can Help High Triglycerides High-Output Heart Failure How the Heart Works How to Find Sodium Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Types Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Risk of Sudden Death Hypothermia and Cold Temperature Exposure Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) Inherited Blood-Clotting Problems Interactive Tool: Are You at Risk for a Heart Attack? Interactive Tool: Are You Ready to Quit Smoking? Interactive Tool: How Does Smoking Affect Your Lifespan? Interactive Tool: How Does Smoking Increase Your Risk of Heart Attack? Interactive Tool: How Much Is Smoking Costing You? Interactive Tool: What Is Your Risk for a Stroke if You Have Atrial Fibrillation? Interactive Tool: What Is Your Target Heart Rate? Interactive Tools Intermittent Claudication Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Ischemia Isolated Systolic High Blood Pressure Izzy's Story: Living With the DASH Diet Joan's Story: Coping With Depression and Anxiety From Heart Failure Joe's Story: Taking Charge With the TLC Plan Joyce's Story: Feeling Better With a Pacemaker Kawasaki Disease Kawasaki Disease: Criteria to Diagnose Laparoscopic Surgery Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins Leg Amputation Leg Problems, Noninjury Leriche's Syndrome Linda's Story: Quitting Smoking Improves Cholesterol Lipid Panel Living With More Than One Health Problem Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) Low-Dose Aspirin Therapy Lyme Disease Malignant High Blood Pressure Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation Medicines to Prevent Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Heart Failure Mediterranean Diet Metabolic Syndrome Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Mitral Valve Disease: Heart Rhythm Problems Mitral Valve Prolapse Mitral Valve Prolapse: Children Who Play Sports Mitral Valve Regurgitation Mitral Valve Regurgitation and Exercise Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Repair or Replace the Valve? Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Severity Mitral Valve Repair Surgery (Commissurotomy) for Mitral Valve Stenosis Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery Mitral Valve Stenosis Mitral Valve Stenosis: Repair or Replacement? Modify Recipes for a Heart-Healthy Diet Monitoring and Medicines for Heart Failure Monitoring During Anesthesia Myxoma Tumors of the Heart Nicotine Gum Nicotine Inhaler Nicotine Patches Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Open Repair Surgery for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Organ Transplant Pacemaker for Atrial Fibrillation Pacemaker for Bradycardia Pacemaker for Heart Failure (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) Paget's Disease and Heart Failure Paradoxical Embolism Passing Out (Syncope) Caused by Arrhythmias People Who Need Antibiotics to Prevent Endocarditis Pericarditis Peripheral Arterial Disease and Exercise Peripheral Arterial Disease of the Legs Peripheral Arterial Disease: Pulse and Blood Pressure Measurement Physical Therapy Planning to Be an Organ Donor Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis Postoperative Problems Post-Thrombotic Syndrome Preeclampsia Preeclampsia: Checkups and Monitoring Preeclampsia: Creatinine Clearance Test Pregnancy and Chronic High Blood Pressure Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure: Questions for Your Doctor Pregnancy and the Increased Risk of Developing Blood Clots Pregnancy: Tips for Dealing With Bed Rest Pregnancy: Varicose Veins Pregnancy-Related Problems Prehypertension Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) Pressure Injuries From Scuba Diving Pressure Sores Pressure Sores: Conditions That Affect Healing Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis From Travel Procedural Sedation Procedures That May Require Antibiotics to Prevent Endocarditis Pulmonary Embolism Questions About Varicose Vein Treatment Quick Tips: Self-Care for Heart Failure Quick Tips: Taking Charge of Your Angina Quit-Smoking Programs Quitting Smoking Quitting Smoking: How Family and Friends Can Help Quitting Smoking: How Support Groups Can Help Quitting Smoking: Temptations and Cravings Quitting Smoking: Your Social Life Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Raynaud's Phenomenon Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Resuming Sexual Activity After a Heart Attack Rheumatic Fever and Heart Problems Right-Sided Heart Failure Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease Risks and Benefits of Medicines for Heart Failure Risks of Smoking Cigars and Pipes Scleroderma Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins Secondary High Blood Pressure Sex and Your Heart Shock Sick Sinus Syndrome Signs of Abnormal Bleeding Skin Grafting for Venous Skin Ulcer Sleep Apnea Complications Smoking and Coronary Artery Disease Smoking and Stroke Risk Smoking Fewer Cigarettes Smoking Journal Smoking Triggers Smoking: Choosing a Good Time to Quit Smoking: Health Risk for Family Members Smoking: Heart Attack and Stroke Risks Smoking: Impotence and Fertility Problems Sodium and High Blood Pressure SPECT Image of the Heart Spinal Cord Injury: Autonomic Dysreflexia Stroke Stroke and TIA: Who Is Affected Stroke Rehabilitation Stroke Risk and Carotid Endarterectomy Stroke Symptoms Stroke: Behavior Changes Stroke: Bladder and Bowel Problems Stroke: Changes in Emotions Stroke: Common Disabilities Stroke: Dealing With Depression Stroke: Getting Dressed Stroke: Hesitant or Impulsive? Stroke: How to Prevent Another One Stroke: Life-Threatening Complications Stroke: Memory Tips Stroke: Perception Changes Stroke: Preventing Injury in Affected Limbs Stroke: Speech and Language Problems Stroke: The Unaffected Side Stroke: Your Rehabilitation Team Supraventricular Tachycardia Swelling During Pregnancy Symptoms of an Aneurysm Systolic Heart Failure Teen Smokers: Reasons to Quit Temporal Artery Biopsy The Aorta Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet for High Cholesterol Thrombolytic Medicines for Pulmonary Embolism Thrombolytics for Deep Vein Thrombosis Tilt Table Test Tips for Success With the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet TLC Diet Sample Menu Tony's Story: Taking Medicine for High Cholesterol Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Triggers of Sudden Heart Failure Turning Off Your ICD Types of Bradycardia Types of Supraventricular Tachycardia Tyrell's Story: Taking Pills for High Blood Pressure Using Nitroglycerin for Angina Vagal Maneuvers for a Fast Heart Rate Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Varicose Veins Varicose Veins Home Treatment Varicose Veins: Phlebectomy or Stab Avulsion Varicose Veins: Radiofrequency Ablation Vein Ligation and Stripping Venous Insufficiency Venous Skin Ulcer Venous Skin Ulcers: Home Treatment Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) for Heart Failure Ventricular Tachycardia Ventriculogram Warfarin and Vitamin K Weakness and Fatigue Weight and Coronary Artery Disease What to Do if Your Cardiac Device Is Recalled When to Have a Cholesterol Test Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome Women and Coronary Artery Disease

Medical Tests
Ambulatory Electrocardiogram Angiogram Angiogram of the Head and Neck Angiogram of the Lung Arterial Blood Gases Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test Cardiac Blood Pool Scan Cardiac Catheterization Cardiac Enzyme Studies Cardiac Perfusion Scan Catecholamines in Blood Catecholamines in Urine Chest X-Ray Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Body Computed Tomography Angiogram (CT Angiogram) Coronary Calcium Scan C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Doppler Ultrasound Echocardiogram Electrocardiogram Electrophysiology Study Exercise Electrocardiogram Home Blood Pressure Test Homocysteine Lyme Disease Test Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Pericardial Drainage Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Pulse Measurement Venogram

Medications
Adenosine for Fast Heart Rates Aldosterone Receptor Antagonists: Diuretics for Heart Failure Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) for High Blood Pressure Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors for Coronary Artery Disease Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors for Heart Failure Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors for High Blood Pressure Antiarrhythmic Medicines for Atrial Fibrillation Antiarrhythmic Medicines for Fast Heart Rates Antiarrhythmics for Congenital Heart Defects Anticoagulants for Coronary Artery Disease Anticoagulants for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Anticoagulants for Heart Valve Disease Anticoagulants for Pulmonary Embolism Anticoagulants Other Than Warfarin for Atrial Fibrillation Antiplatelet Medicine for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Antiplatelet Medicine for Peripheral Arterial Disease Antiplatelet Medicines for Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Aspirin and Antiplatelets for Coronary Artery Disease Aspirin for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Aspirin for Peripheral Arterial Disease Beta-Blockers for Atrial Fibrillation Beta-Blockers for Coronary Artery Disease Beta-Blockers for Fast Heart Rates Beta-Blockers for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Beta-Blockers for Heart Failure Beta-Blockers for High Blood Pressure Beta-Blockers for Mitral Valve Prolapse Bile Acid Sequestrants for High Cholesterol Bupropion (Zyban) for Quitting Smoking Calcium Channel Blockers for Atrial Fibrillation Calcium Channel Blockers for Coronary Artery Disease Calcium Channel Blockers for Fast Heart Rates Calcium Channel Blockers for Heart Failure Calcium Channel Blockers for High Blood Pressure Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors for High Cholesterol Cilostazol for Peripheral Arterial Disease Corticosteroids for Polymyalgia Rheumatica or Giant Cell Arteritis Digoxin for Atrial Fibrillation Digoxin for Congenital Heart Defects Digoxin for Fast Heart Rates Digoxin for Heart Failure Direct Renin Inhibitors for High Blood Pressure Diuretics for Congenital Heart Defects Diuretics for Heart Failure Diuretics for High Blood Pressure Fibric Acid Derivatives for High Cholesterol Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Hydralazine for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Labetalol for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins for Deep Vein Thrombosis Magnesium Sulfate for Seizure Prevention During Pregnancy Methyldopa for Chronic Hypertension During Pregnancy Morphine for Heart Attack Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Quitting Tobacco Nicotinic Acid for High Cholesterol Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Nitrates for Coronary Artery Disease Nitrates for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Other Medicines for High Blood Pressure Oxygen Therapy for Heart Failure Pentoxifylline for Venous Skin Ulcers Rivaroxaban for Deep Vein Thrombosis Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Depression and Pain After a Stroke Statins and Statin Combinations for High Cholesterol Thrombolytics for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) for Stroke Unfractionated Heparin for Deep Vein Thrombosis Varenicline (Chantix) for Quitting Smoking Vasodilators for Congenital Heart Defects Vasodilators for Heart Failure Vasodilators for Mitral Valve Regurgitation Warfarin for Atrial Fibrillation Warfarin for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Make a Wise Decision
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test? Aortic Valve Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery? Aspirin: Should I Take Daily Aspirin to Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke? Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Take an Anticoagulant to Prevent Stroke? Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Try Electrical Cardioversion? Atrial Fibrillation: Which Anticoagulant Should I Take To Prevent Stroke? End-of-Life Care: Should I Receive CPR and Life Support? Heart Disease Risk: Should I Have a Coronary Calcium Scan? Heart Disease: Should I Have an Angiogram? Heart Disease: Should I Have Angioplasty for Stable Angina? Heart Disease: Should I Have Bypass Surgery? Heart Failure: Should I Get a Pacemaker (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy)? Heart Failure: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)? Heart Problems: Should I Have Catheter Ablation? Heart Rate Problems: Should I Get a Pacemaker? Heart Rhythm Problems: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)? Heart Valve Problems: Should I Choose a Mechanical Valve or Tissue Valve to Replace My Heart Valve? High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine? High Cholesterol: Should I Take Statins? Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery? Quitting Smoking: Should I Use Medicine? Stroke: Should I Have Carotid Endarterectomy? Stroke: Should I Move My Loved One Into Long-Term Care? Varicose Veins: Should I Have a Surgical Procedure?

Take Action
Blood Thinners Other Than Warfarin: Taking Them Safely Compression Stockings: How to Use Them Healthy Eating: Cutting Unhealthy Fats From Your Diet Healthy Eating: Eating Less Sodium Heart Disease: Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet Heart Disease: Exercising for a Healthy Heart Heart Disease: Walking for a Healthy Heart Heart Failure: Activity and Exercise Heart Failure: Avoiding Medicines That Make Symptoms Worse Heart Failure: Avoiding Triggers for Sudden Heart Failure Heart Failure: Checking Your Weight Heart Failure: Taking Medicines Properly Heart Failure: Watching Your Fluids Heart Problems: Living With a Pacemaker Heart Problems: Living With an ICD High Blood Pressure: Checking Your Blood Pressure at Home High Blood Pressure: Taking Medicines Properly High Blood Pressure: Using the DASH Diet High Cholesterol: Raising Your HDL Level High Cholesterol: Using the TLC Diet Low-Salt Diets: Eating Out Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen at Home Warfarin: Taking Your Medicine Safely

Credits

By:

Healthwise Staff

Last Revised: August 24, 2011

Medical Review:

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.