Educational health information to improve your well-being.
Posts in Heart
Cardiac Disease and COVID-19
April 21, 2020
Most of the attention about morbidity and mortality associated with the COVID infection has focused on lung issues, respiratory failure, and ventilator requirement. The physicians from Augusta Health Cardiology, including Medical Director Dave Varma, MD, want to make sure patients with heart disease are aware that there are some cardiovascular implications of this infection also. First, there is the tendency for patients to put off attention to heart disease and their cardiac health during the time of this pandemic. We want to emphasize that patients who are suffering from an acute heart...Continue Reading
Keeping Rhythm: The Basics of Heart Murmurs
February 18, 2020
We all know the rhythmic thumping sound of a heartbeat. However, a heartbeat sounds differently in people with heart murmurs. It's estimated that 45% children and 10% of adults will experience a heart murmur at some point in their lives. Heart murmurs are common but can differ in severity, cause, and treatment. A heart murmur is an abnormal sound of blood flowing between heartbeats. It usually sounds like a whooshing, swishing, or extra thumping sound. Heart murmurs are not classified as a disease. In fact, most heart murmurs normally harmless. However, in some instances a heart murmur can...Continue Reading
Take an Inside Look at Vascular Health
February 13, 2020
Your body has an extensive superhighway of capillaries, veins, and arteries that make sure blood is delivered throughout your body. However, blockages can disrupt this essential process and cause dangerous health consequences. When capillaries, veins, or arteries in the legs, arms, neck, and kidneys are in danger, health professionals specializing in vascular care can help. Common Vascular Diseases Vascular diseases can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening, but treatment is available. Make sure to contact your doctor if you have unexplained symptoms. Common vascular diseases you should...Continue Reading
Heart Healthy Gifts for Your Valentine
February 12, 2020
When Valentine’s Day rolls around, there are hearts everywhere! Whether or not you’re into getting heart-shaped cards and gifts for your valentine, it’s a good reminder to take care of your sweetheart’s heart health. Here are some gift ideas for your special someone that both they and their heart will enjoy! Dark Chocolate Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like a box of chocolates, right? Well chocolate lovers, rejoice! You and your sweetheart can actually help your heart stay healthy with your sweet tooth. The cacao beans chocolate is made of is “choc” full of flavanols, which are good...Continue Reading
An Overview of Heart Disease in America
February 11, 2020
Heart disease is the number one killer in America, full stop. It’s not the deadliest disease, it’s the leading cause of death in the United States—with cancer being the only thing that comes close to challenging the top spot. It is indiscriminate, affecting people of all races, genders, and socio-economic standings. Even as prevalent as heart disease is in America, however, there still exist many misconceptions about the disease, and there are a number of preventative steps that can be taken to help cut down on your chances of being affected by heart disease. Defining Heart Disease Heart...Continue Reading
Warning Signs of Heart Attacks in Men and Women
February 6, 2020
About 630,000 Americans die each year from heart disease—that’s about 1 in 4 deaths. It is the leading cause of death for both men and women and can cause other complications, such as heart attacks. But if one were to imagine what a heart attack looked like, they almost always envision a man clutching his chest in pain before falling to their knees. It’s such an enduring image that some people assume that women aren’t victims of heart attacks at all. The truth is women are also at risk for heart attack—and are more likely to have a longer hospital stay after a heart attack occurs. Here, we...Continue Reading
5 Fascinating Heart Facts
February 4, 2020
February is American Heart Month—in recognition, we wanted to share with you some facts about our favorite muscle. Hearts by the numbers The average person has a resting heart rate of between 60 and 100 beats per minute. That means that over the course of the day, your heart will have beat between 86,000 and 144,000 times. Over the course of a year, that’s well over 30 and 50 million individual beats. That’s a lot of work over the course of the year! It’s about the size of your fist You’ve probably heard that the human heart is about the size of a fist, but did you also know that the metaphor...Continue Reading
7 Habits for a Healthy Heart
August 26, 2019
When you want to describe someone as a good person you say they have “a good heart.” During an accident, when we check to see if someone is okay, we check their heartbeat. When we feel incredible sadness, we say our hearts are broken. Our condition can be defined by the condition of our hearts and nowhere is that truer than in examining our overall health. Heart disease is the number one killer in America. By fighting back against the contributors to heart disease, we build ourselves into being healthier people overall. In order to do that, we’ve prepared a list of seven habits that can...Continue Reading
Meet Dr. Sternberg
September 10, 2018
It's Saturday morning in New York. Two ten-year-old boys, one named Kenneth, await their grandfather's arrival. This Saturday morning routine is both familiar and exciting. It's the day they get to go on rounds with their grandfather, a dedicated physician, at Columbia Mount Sinai In New York City. It's the late 1960's, an era where physicians were largely hands-on, relying on the cornerstones of patient examinations and diagnostics, instead of the technologies of today. This close proximity to the medical profession was nothing new for Kenneth who came from a very long line of doctors. In...Continue Reading
Going Strong After 50: Staying Healthy Later in Life
September 6, 2018
September is Healthy Aging Month, and we're celebrating the important milestone of being 50 years old and over! At this point in life, you've gained hard-earned wisdom and have much to offer. To continue a good quality of life, taking a proactive role in maintaining your health is more important than ever. It's time to make sure you're doing everything possible to stay vibrant, active, and going strong! Stay Heart Smart Your heart ages along with you. After 50 years old, your heart may grow larger, and your heart rate may slow down slightly. Blood vessels and arteries tend to harden a bit too...Continue Reading