Educational health information to improve your well-being.
Posts in Heart
1 in 3 Americans Have Hypertension. Do You?
May 7, 2018
Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, is often a silent killer. The disorder can quietly damage your body for years before symptoms develop. Left uncontrolled, high blood pressure may cause disabilities, a poor quality of life, or even be fatal. Hypertension may also be called the silent killer since nearly half of people that go untreated die of heart disease and another third die of stroke. Understanding this important health indicator is essential for good health. Understanding Blood Pressure Blood pressure is defined as the pressure of the blood pushing against the walls...Continue Reading
FDA to Cut Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes
April 23, 2018
Smoking causes more deaths each year than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, and firearm-related incidents combined. Because of this, the FDA is working to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, the portion that causes the smoker to become addicted. What are the real health risks of smoking, and why is the legislation being processed now? An Overview of Smoking An estimated 37.8 million adults in the United States currently smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including more than 41,000...Continue Reading
The Effects of Stress on Heart Health
February 20, 2018
Whether it's an unexpected bill, a flat tire, or an argument with your spouse, stress is a regular part of the human experience. Do you pop your top or stay super chill when you're confronted with stressful issues? Are you someone who strives to take everything in stride or do the veins in your forehead start to pulse at the mere hint of an obstacle in your path? How you deal with stress can affect your quality of life and shorten your lifespan. Everyone experiences and reacts to stress in different ways. Of course, sustained levels of stress and how you deal with it can adversely affect your...Continue Reading
What is Door-to-Balloon Time & Why is it Important?
February 15, 2018
At least one million Americans suffer from heart attacks every year, and quite a few don't survive. One of the biggest barriers to survival is getting the right treatment promptly. Fortunately, recent developments in emergency care for individuals suffering from a heart attack has helped to improve overall patient outcomes. The number of deaths from heart attacks has been reduced as well. Door-to-balloon time has played an enormous part in reducing the number of heart attack fatalities. What is Door-to-Balloon Time? Door-to-balloon time refers to the time it takes for a heart attack victim to...Continue Reading
4 Reasons Why Too Much Sugar Increases Heart Disease Risks
February 13, 2018
Adding sugar to food makes food sweeter and tastier. Sweet treats are delicious, but consuming too much sugar on a regular basis is not healthy. In fact, eating too much sugar can be downright deadly. Even people who are not obese are at higher risk of developing heart disease due to increased sugar consumption. Limiting sugar intake is the best way to ensure heart health. Here are four reasons why eating too much sugar increases your risks of dying from heart disease: Sugar Increases Your Blood Pressure Yes, sugar may be worse for your blood pressure than salt. Open Journal, an academic...Continue Reading
Cardiology 101: An Overview of the Stenting Process
February 8, 2018
A stent is a slender, metal mesh-like tube placed inside the coronary artery. The device is designed to act as a scaffold or support to prevent the vessel from narrowing. This helps to improve circulation to the heart and reduces pain caused by angina. In many cases, stenting is used along with balloon angioplasty. Most patients undergoing balloon angioplasty have stents inserted as well. Stents can be used in many parts of the body—not just the heart. Stents can be placed in the carotid arteries, aorta, and peripheral arteries in the legs. What Happens Before a Stenting? This procedure is...Continue Reading
Cardiology 101: Understanding Heart Stents
February 6, 2018
Stents are slender, expandable, metallic mesh tubes that act as scaffolding to maintain blood flow in the artery by preventing arteries from re-narrowing upon completion of the balloon angioplasty procedure. Stents help reduce the risk of heart attack and are much easier for patients to go through as opposed to other procedures such as cardiac catheterization. Who Requires Stents? Individuals with a buildup of plaque in a localized area of an artery may benefit from a stent. Your doctor will let you know if you're a candidate for this procedure. What Happens Before the Procedure? Your...Continue Reading
Goals for the care of Cardiovascular Disease
February 5, 2018
Great strides have been made in the last several years for the care of those with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Immediate action to enter emergency medical care continues to be the number one goal to save lives. Even 15 minutes can be the difference between death and disability, and returning to a fulfilling life. The second goal is primary and secondary prevention of the causes surrounding CVD and reducing these risk factors. Goal #1: Immediate Action Two of the most common reasons of cardiovascular emergencies are heart attack and stroke. The cause for a heart attack or stroke is similar...Continue Reading
Cardiology 101: What is Congestive Heart Failure?
February 2, 2018
If you've been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), you may be feeling apprehensive. CHF can be a scary and confusing diagnosis. It can be caused by genetics, high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, infections, or heart attack. The good news is Congestive Heart Failure doesn't have to be a death sentence. By altering your lifestyle to minimize the impact CHF has on your health you can take back control of your life instead of letting CHF define you. What is Congestive Heart Failure Your heart's job is to pump old, oxygen-poor blood from your body and to the lungs for oxygenation,...Continue Reading
Nearly 50% of Americans Have High Blood Pressure. Could You?
January 5, 2018
When you go to the doctor, more than likely your appointment starts with a check of your vital signs – temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure. We're all striving to fall within the healthy range in these areas. However, a recent announcement by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology changes the range for what's considered healthy. This new guideline means that 46% of Americans, nearly half the population, is now diagnosed with high blood pressure. The New Normal Previous guidelines define high blood pressure as a systolic reading of 140 or more...Continue Reading