Blood clots can occur in the venous and arterial vascular system. Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract and uterus. Risk factors for causes of blood clots include

• high blood pressure and cholesterol,
• diabetes,
• smoking, and
• family history.

Symptoms of a blood clot depend on the location of the clot. Some blood clots are a medical emergency. Blood clots are treated depending upon the cause of the clot. Blood clots can be prevented by lowering the risk factors for developing blood clots.

Coronary heart disease or coronary heart disease (CAD) screening tests can be used to potentially prevent a heart attack or cardiac event in a person without heart disease symptoms, and can assist in diagnosing heart disease in individuals with heart disease symptoms. Examples of coronary heart disease tests include:

• electrocardiogram (ECC, EKG),
• exercise stress test,
• radionuclide stress test,
• stress echocardiography,
• pharmacologic stress test,
• CT coronary angiogram, and
• coronary angiogram.

Elevated homocysteine levels (hyperhomocysteinemia) is a sign that the body isn't producing enough of the amino acid homocysteine. The condition may be genetic (inherited) called homocystinuria. Homocystinuria is a somewhat rare genetic (inherited) condition that includes symptoms like developmental delays, osteoporosis, blood clots, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and visual abnormalities died at an early age. There are other causes of the condition like alcoholism.

Supplementing the diet with folic acid and possibly vitamins B6 and B12 supplements can lower homocysteine levels. Currently there is no direct proof that taking folic acid and B vitamins to lower homocysteine levels prevent heart attacks and strokes. Talk to your doctor if you feel you need to have your homocysteine blood levels checked.

• paralysis of the vocal cords,
• difficulty swallowing thin liquids,
• difficulty breathing,
• and drug reactions.

• damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve,
• bleeding or hematoma,
• problems maintaining calcium levels in the blood,
• need for further and more aggressive surgery,
• need for a limited or total thyroidectomy,
• prolonged pain,
• impaired healing,
• and recurrence of the tumor.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and brain. While there are many causes of peripheral vascular disease, doctors commonly use the term peripheral vascular disease to refer to peripheral artery disease (peripheral arterial disease, PAD), a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms, and legs become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis. Peripheral artery disease symptoms include:

• Intermittent Leg pain while walking
• Leg pain at rest
• Numbness in the

Treatment for peripheral artery disease includes: lifestyle measures, medication, angioplasty, and surgery.

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary by stage (trimester).  The earliest pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include

breast swelling and tenderness,

• nausea and sometimes vomiting,
• fatigue, and
• bloating.

Second trimester symptoms include

•  backache,
• weight gain,
• itching, and
• possible stretch marks.

Third trimester symptoms are

• additional weight gain,
• heartburn,
• hemorrhoids,
• swelling of the ankles,
• fingers, and face,
• breast tenderness, and
• trouble sleeping.

Eating a healthy diet, getting a moderate amount of exercise, also are recommended for a healthy pregnancy. Information about the week by week growth of your baby in the womb are provided.

A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain caused by either a blood clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic). Symptoms of a stroke may include

• weakness,
• numbness,
• double vision or vision loss,
• confusion,
• vertigo, and
• difficulty speaking or understanding speech.

A physical exam, imaging tests, neurological exam, and blood tests may be used to diagnose a stroke. Treatment may include administration of clot-busting drugs, supportive care, and in some instances, neurosurgery. The risk of stroke can be reduced by controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and stopping smoking.