coronary

Heartbeat

Heartbeat

The heartbeat is usually a regular rhythm, but when disturbed it becomes irregular and is felt as palpitations. Find out about extra beats and arrhythmias and when to visit the doctor.

Blood and bleeding

Blood and bleeding

Blood makes up about 8 per cent of a person's body weight. In a normal-sized adult, there are about 5 litres of it. Blood is not a single substance, but a suspension of several components, held together in a straw-coloured fluid called plasma.

Heart failure overview

Heart failure overview

Heart failure is when your heart can’t effectively pump blood around your body, but it doesn’t mean your heart is about to stop or fail completely – you can live with heart failure for many years.