Heart & Cardiac

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) happens when blood flow to a part of the heart is suddenly blocked — usually by a blood clot forming on a cholesterol plaque in one of the coronary arteries. Without blood flow, heart muscle starts to die within minutes.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently raised pressure in the arteries. It usually has no symptoms — which is why it is called the "silent killer." Untreated, it silently damages the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes over years.

Bleeding from a wound usually stops with simple first aid. Bleeding from elsewhere — inside the body, or from the gut, urinary tract, airway, or a bleeding disorder — needs medical attention.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance in your blood. Your body needs some cholesterol to build cells and make hormones, but too much — particularly the wrong kind — builds up in artery walls and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Edema (oedema) is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues. It most often shows up in the feet, ankles, and legs, but can affect the hands, face, or any part of the body.

Malaria is a serious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. India has a significant malaria burden, with transmission concentrated in specific states and tribal areas — though national case numbers have dropped substantially with control programmes.

Chest pain has many causes — some minor, some immediately life-threatening. Because the consequences of missing a serious cause are so severe, chest pain always deserves careful assessment.

Ischaemic stroke happens when a blood vessel supplying part of the brain becomes blocked — usually by a clot. Brain cells die within minutes without blood flow.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is generally defined as blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg. Unlike high blood pressure, low BP is only a concern when it causes symptoms or is caused by an underlying problem.

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm — the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Some arrhythmias are harmless; others can cause serious symptoms or life-threatening events including cardiac arrest and stroke.

Diabetic foot refers to foot problems that develop in people with diabetes — from numbness and dryness to ulcers, infection, and sometimes amputation. Good foot care and early medical attention can prevent the serious complications.

Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes abnormal haemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen). This leads to anaemia — sometimes mild, sometimes severe enough to require regular blood transfusions.