SEARCH

Aortic stenosis means your aortic valve has a problem opening. The left ventricle has to work harder to push the blood through the valve. In some cases, this extra work will make the muscle of the ventricle thicken. This type of stenosis can quickly get worse.

Aortic insufficiency means your aortic valve has problems closing. Blood leaks back through the valve. Extra blood may cause the ventricle to stretch. A stretched ventricle doesn't squeeze as well. In time, the heart won't move blood the way it should.

Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart valve problem. It's usually not serious. With this problem, the valve bulges slightly back into the atrium when it closes. This may allow a tiny amount of blood to leak.

Risk factors are things that make you more likely to have a disease or condition. Find out about risks you might have for high blood pressure and which ones you can change.

Learn about the kidneys--where they're located, how they filter waste from the blood, and their other roles in keeping the body healthy.

The kidneys' main job is to clean the blood. They filter wastes and excess fluids from thousands of pints of blood each day. Learn about their other roles as well.

Hemodialysis is a type of treatment for kidney failure (also called end-stage kidney disease or ESRD). It uses a machine that holds a filter called a dialyzer. As blood flows through the dialyzer, waste is removed and fluid and chemicals are balanced. Hemodialysis treatments are usually done at a special dialysis center.

A varicocele is when the veins in your scrotum are enlarged. Your doctor may advise surgery or another procedure to close off the enlarged veins. Read on for more details about these treatments.

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that can lead to blurry, distorted vision or even blindness. It happens when diabetes harms blood vessels on the retina at the back of the eye.