App videos provide explanations of heart and vascular problems

HOW MUCH: Free

WHAT’S GOOD: Discovering that you have a cardiac problem is a frightening experience for many people. Understanding the issue and how it can be treated may relieve stress and foster a positive attitude for living with the challenges it presents. That’s the goal of this commercial — and endorsement — free app, which was designed by cardiologists for use by patients and health-care professionals. There are four main topics: heart, rhythm, structure, and circulation. Each topic has short educational videos (generally two minutes or less) divided into three categories: condition, treatment and device. Conditions include plaque buildup, heart attack, heart failure, sleep apnea, arrhythmias, aortic stenosis and deep vein thrombosis. There also are many videos about procedures, treatments and devices, such as angiogram, angioplasty, EECP for angina, plaque removal, pacemaker implant, defibrillator implant and stents. Videos are updated regularly with new treatment options and devices. The narration, generally in layman’s terms, should be within the grasp of most users. There’s also a draw-on tool for professionals to mark up images for enhanced discussions with patients.

WHAT’S NOT: Although all the videos are high grade, some are purely illustrative and lack narration. Though you can follow the gist of what is happening in them, you may be left with unanswered questions.

BOTTOM LINE: Gets to the heart of the matter on cardiac issues.