One of the main functions of the heart and blood vessels is to supply the body with oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood. The ability of the heart to pump blood out to the body, called cardiac output or stroke volume, is determined by three characteristics, according to the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
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A puncture wound occurs when a sharp object penetrates the skin barrier. Nails are the culprit in 90 percent of puncture wounds, most often on the bottom of the foot, according to FamilyPracticeNotebook.com.
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Bile is a liquid containing cholesterol, bilirubin, bile salts and other substances. Gallstones, rock-like material within the gallbladder, form when there is too much cholesterol or bilirubin in the bile or if the gallbladder does not contract normally to expel the bile.
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White blood cells, or WBC, are produced in the bone marrow and are the disease-fighting cells of the body. According to MedLinePlus, a low WBC count, also called leukopenia or neutropenia, is when the concentration of white blood cells in the body are less than 4,500 cells per microliter of blood.
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Histamine is a substance produced by the body in response to allergic reactions that triggers immune response symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Antihistamines are a class of drugs that block the action of histamine and reduce these symptoms.
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Effexor is used to treat depression and belongs to a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs.According to MedlinePlus, Effexor increases the available amount of the brain messenger chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine.
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Open heart surgery is any kind of operation in which the heart is exposed through an incision in the chest. The most common open heart surgery in the United States is coronary artery bypass grafting, or CABG.
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