Multimedia

Cardiac Catheterization
Often called cardiac cath, this procedure can diagnose certain heart conditions and provide valuable information about your heart function. It may be performed to assess the coronary arteries, heart valves, and function of the heart muscle. A cardiac cath may also help determine the need for future heart surgery or other treatments.

Coronary Angioplasty
Coronary angioplasty is a procedure used to treat blockages that occur in the heart’s blood vessels. Coronary artery disease, or CAD, may occur when coronary arteries become obstructed by a buildup of fatty material or plaque. View this animation to see how this life-saving technique works.

Diabetes Detective: Examining the Evidence
Research tells us it’s possible to prevent or delay the development of diabetes. View the Diabetes Detective to discover the facts that everyone needs to know.

Diabetes Detective: Uncovering the Complications
Diabetes can affect vital organs such as the eyes, the heart and blood vessels, the kidneys, and the nerves. Research demonstrates that taking preventive action can slow progression of this disease. View Diabetes Detective: Uncovering the Complications to discover ways to positively affect your health.

Stent Placement
Stents can help keep the heart’s arteries open and prevent a heart attack. Coronary artery disease, or CAD, may occur when coronary arteries become obstructed by a buildup of fatty material or plaque. Stents, or small tubes, are placed to help open these vessels.

Heart Disease Risk Factors Clinical Wizard
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States. Research has found that the risk of developing heart disease not only increases with the number of risk factors, but also with the level of severity of each risk factor. One of the ways you can help prevent heart disease is by knowing your risk factors. Learn more by participating in our Heart Disease Risk Factors Multimedia Interactive Program.

Chest X-ray
A chest X-ray is used to examine the chest and the organs and structures located in the chest. Chest x-rays may be used to assess the lungs and the heart.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)
One way to treat blocked or narrowed arteries is to bypass the blocked portion of the coronary artery with another piece of blood vessel.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
This procedure may be used to assess the heart muscle under stress. Dobutamine is a medication that causes the heart to beat faster and will mimic the effects of exercise on the heart.

Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram can measure heart structures, such as the heart's pumping chambers, the size of the heart itself, and the thickness of the heart walls.

Electrocardiogram
Electrodes are placed on the chest, arms, and legs. When the electrodes are connected to an ECG machine, the electrical activity of the heart is measured and interpreted.

Electrophysiological Studies
An electrophysiological study tests the heart's electrical system. A small, plastic catheter is inserted through a vein in the groin and is threaded into the heart.

Exercise Echocardiogram
Detailed information on exercise echocardiogram, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, and after care

Exercise Electrocardiogram
An exercise ECG can assess the heart's response to stress or exercise. The ECG is monitored while a person is exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike.

Holter Monitor
The Holter monitor is a type of electrocardiogram (ECG) used to monitor the ECG tracing continuously for a period of 24 hours or longer.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Insertion
An ICD monitors the heart's electrical activity and responds with either anti-tachycardia pacing or shock therapy to prevent sudden cardiac arrest.

Pacemaker
A pacemaker is a small electronic device implanted in the chest to help regulate electrical problems with the heart.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)
PET is a type of nuclear medicine procedure. A tiny amount of a radioactive substance is used to help examine a particular tissue.

Resting Myocardial Perfusion Scan Podcast
A resting myocardial perfusion scan is used to assess the blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium) and to determine what areas of the myocardium have decreased blood flow.

Signal-Averaged Electrocardiogram
Signal-averaged ECG is one of several procedures used to assess the potential for irregular heart rhythms in certain medical situations.

Tilt Table Procedure
A tilt table procedure may be used to evaluate a person who has symptoms of syncope (fainting). Syncope may occur rarely to frequently, depending on the cause.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram
During this procedure, a transducer is inserted down the esophagus. This provides a clearer image of the heart because the sound waves do not have to pass through skin, muscle, or bone.

Ultrafast Computed Tomography (Ultrafast CT Scan)
Ultrafast CT scans can take multiple images of the heart within the time of a single heartbeat, thus providing much more detail about the heart's function and structures.

Valvuloplasty
In valvuloplasty, a catheter is placed in a heart valve, and a large balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated until the flaps of the valve are opened.

Cardiac Arrhythmias
The beating of your heart is very organized, taking its cue from a built-in electrical system. A normal heart rate is regular, at 60 to 100 beats per minute. An arrhythmia is any kind of abnormal heartbeat—too fast, too slow, or irregular. This video explains different arrhythmias and what you should do if you have one.

Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization procedure can diagnose a variety of heart conditions and determine the health of your coronary arteries, heart valves, and heart muscle. View this video to learn what happens during this procedure and various treatment options.

Cardiac Rehabilitation
Physical activity is healthy for your heart—even after you've had a heart attack or bypass surgery. It's important to start out slowly, under the supervision of cardiac rehab specialists. In this video, you'll learn what's involved in cardiac rehab and how it can benefit your health in the long term.

Cardiac Stress Tests
A cardiac stress test may be ordered if you have or are suspected of having coronary artery disease. This test evaluates your heart’s response to stress or exercise. Watch this video and learn what to expect before, during, and after this procedure. Other types of stress tests will also be presented.

Cholesterol Screening
Your body needs cholesterol to make hormones and to keep your cells healthy. Cholesterol comes from two sources: your liver and your diet. However, if your diet exceeds the body’s need for cholesterol or saturated fats, your cholesterol level in your blood will increase. This video discusses treatments and lifestyle changes that may be prescribed by your doctor.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
This procedure, a common type of open heart surgery, is one way to treat blockages in the arteries of the heart. Watch the video and learn about the surgery and what you can expect during recovery and rehabilitation.

Heart Failure
Heart failure is a condition in which your heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to meet your body’s needs. This video explains the different types of heart failure, and the treatments that can help you manage your condition and live a healthy life.

Holter Monitor
The Holter monitor is a type of electrocardiogram (ECG) used to monitor the ECG tracing continuously for a period of 24 hours or longer.

Obesity
People can become obese by taking in more calories than they burn. Obesity also appears to be influenced by genetics. This video discusses the health risks associated with obesity and what treatment and lifestyle changes are commonly recommended.

Pacemakers
You may need a pacemaker if you have an abnormal heartbeat. To understand how a pacemaker works, watch this video. It will also help you learn how to care for and live with your pacemaker.

Smoking Cessation, Relapse Prevention
A relapse happens when you return to smoking after a period of quitting—usually after the first three months. Most people experience several relapses before quitting for good. This video discusses situations that can trigger a relapse and offers a range of coping skills and behavior changes to get you back on track.

Smoking Cessation, Stages of Change
Cigarette smoking is the single leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. But because of the physical and psychological addiction to nicotine, smokers find it quite difficult to quit. This video offers important reasons to stop smoking and a framework of change to help you achieve your goal.