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Anaphylaxis |
A life-threatening type of allergic reaction characterized by wheezing, difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the lips, eyes, throat or tongue and even cramps, nausea and diarrhea.
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Antiplatelet aggregation action |
Inhibition of the platelets’ ability to clump together to form a blood clot.
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Blood clot |
A clump that forms in the blood when it coagulates, made up of platelets and other substances.
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Blood pressure |
A measure of the force applied against the wall of the arteries as blood is pumped through them.
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Body mass index (BMI) |
A measure of your height / weight ratio. It is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in metres.
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Cardiovascular disease |
Disease of the heart or blood vessels. Includes heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure and angina, among others.
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Cerebral arteries |
Arteries (blood vessels) that supply blood to the brain.
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Cholesterol |
A soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the blood. It is used to help form cell membranes and hormones and to perform other essential body functions. However, high cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease.
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Coronary arteries |
The arteries (blood vessels) that supply blood to the heart
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Diastolic blood pressure |
The pressure of the blood between heart beats, the second number of a blood pressure reading.
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Endorphins |
The body’s natural painkillers. Small proteins that work to better your mood, combat stress, speed up healing and stimulate the immune system.
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Fasting |
Abstinence from food for a certain length of time.
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Gestational diabetes |
Diabetic state of abnormally high blood glucose levels that starts or first becomes apparent during pregnancy. It usually starts in 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy and blood glucose levels usually return to normal after delivery.
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High density lipoprotein (HDL) |
“Good” cholesterol, lipoproteins that carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver where it is eliminated from the body. A high HDL level seems to protect the body against heart attack and stroke.
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Hyperglycemia |
State of abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood.
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Hypoglycemia |
State of abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood, can lead to a state of shock.
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Insulin |
An hormone that help the body convert glucose into the energy needed for daily life.
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Ischemia |
A lack of blood supply or flow to a given area of the body.
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Lipoprotein |
Organic compound comprised of protein and fatty substances called lipids, which include fatty acids and cholesterol. Lipoproteins are responsible for cholesterol transport throughout the body.
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Low density lipoprotein (LDL) |
“Bad” cholesterol, lipoproteins that are the main cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL builds up in the blood, it can lead to plaque formation that can block the arteries and lead to heart attack or stroke.
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Myocardial infarction |
A heart attack. Heart muscle dies as a result of an inadequate blood supply. Often occurs when a blood clot forms in the coronary arteries, reducing the blood supply to the heart, especially when the arteries have been narrowed by cholesterol build-up (atherosclerosis).
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Obesity |
Excess body weight, defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m2. Those with a BMI between 27 and 30 kg/m2 are considered overweight but not obese.
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Pancreas |
Organ that is responsible for the secretion of digestive enzymes and of the insulin and glucagon hormones that help regulate glucose levels in the body.
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Platelet aggregation inhibitor |
Substance that inhibits the aggregation or clumping of platelets to form a blood clot.
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Platelets |
Components of the blood that are necessary for normal blood clotting. They clump together to form blood clots that plug small holes in the arteries. If a clot forms unnecessarily, this may lead to deficient blood flow resulting in heart attack or stroke.
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Pruritis |
(Itching). A tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin which causes a desire to scratch the affected area.
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Saturated fat |
Fats or lipids which contain the maximum amount of hydrogen for the amount of carbon present. They are usually solid at room temperature and they are more stable than unsaturated fats, meaning that they do not combine readily with oxygen. They contribute to high blood cholesterol levels and are present in both animal and vegetable sources of food.
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Systolic blood pressure |
The maximum pressure exerted by the heart when it contracts, the first number of a blood pressure reading.
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Transient ischemic attack (TIA) |
A small stroke, a temporary disturbance in the blood supply to the brain resulting in a sudden, brief decrease in brain function that lasts only a few minutes or hours (less than 24hours, usually less than 1 hour).
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Unsaturated fat |
Fats or lipids which contain at least one unsaturated bond, one place where hydrogen can still be added. They are usually liquid at room temperature and will combine more readily with oxygen than saturated fats. There are two types, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Polyunsaturated fats tend to help your body get rid of newly formed cholesterol. Thus, they can help reduce cholesterol build-up.
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Vascular disease |
Disease of the blood vessels such as hypertension, ischemia and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), among others.
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