Category Archives: Heart Attack and Stroke

A new study has found that people living in poorer areas have a higher risk of stroke, compared to those in wealthier neighborhoods. The study included nearly 25,000 Americans with no prior history of stroke. During the follow-up of over seven years, 929 of the participants had a stroke. The researchers found that men and ...click here to read more

Stroke rehabilitation often involves exercises to improve post-stroke recovery. This is because many motor skills can become affected after a stroke depending on the area of the brain is affected. For example, patients may need to redevelop their ability to walk or even use their hands. Stroke rehabilitation is often conducted alongside a physiotherapist who ...click here to read more

After a stroke, complications can arise including paralysis, difficulty talking, memory loss, and changes in blood pressure. These post-stroke complications can impact a person’s daily living and overall quality of life. The type of complications experienced after stroke are determined by the part of the brain affected during the stroke as well as the severity ...click here to read more

Left arm pain or shoulder pain can be a common symptom of an impending heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked as a result of plaque buildup along the arteries. When blood flow is interrupted, part of the heart muscle can get damaged and, depending on severity, ...click here to read more

Atrial fibrillation patients with high blood pressure face higher stroke risk. The risk of stroke was found to be 50 percent higher among atrial fibrillation patients with uncontrolled blood pressure. The findings suggest that hypertension should be closely monitored in atrial fibrillation patients in order to reduce the risk of stroke, among other complications. The ...click here to read more

Stroke and chronic kidney disease risk increases with Southern-style diet of processed meats and friend foods. The Southern diet is characterized by fried and fatty foods, which by now we know can contribute to poor heart health. Researchers from the University of Alabama examined data from over 17,000 individuals over the age of 45 residing all ...click here to read more

Silent stroke and Parkinson’s disease may be linked, according to research findings. A silent stroke does not present any outward symptoms indicating that it has taken place. It occurs when the blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked for a short amount of time. In most cases, patients won’t even know that they have suffered ...click here to read more

Potassium-rich foods may lower stroke risk in postmenopausal women. Senior author Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller said, “Previous studies have shown that potassium consumption may lower blood pressure. But whether potassium intake could prevent stroke or death wasn’t clear. Our findings give women another reason to eat their fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of ...click here to read more

In chronic stroke patients, yoga may help improve balance and prevent falls. A small pilot study showed that group yoga can provide benefits to stroke patients no longer receiving rehabilitation care. Lead researcher Arlene Schmid said, “For people with chronic stroke, something like yoga in a group environment is cost effective and appears to improve ...click here to read more

A heart attack can be a life-threatening event, and that is why recognizing the signs and symptoms is so important to be able to obtain immediate medical attention and prevent complications. A heart attack occurs when there is not enough oxygenated blood flowing to the heart. If blood flow is not restored quickly, the heart ...click here to read more

Stroke risk may be lowered by drinking coffee and green tea, and following a healthy diet and lifestyle. Lead author of the study Yoshihiro Kokubo said, “This is the first large-scale study to examine the combined effects of both green tea and coffee on stroke risks. You may make a small but positive lifestyle change ...click here to read more

Erectile dysfunction patients on the Mediterranean diet may lower heart attack and stroke risk. Lead researcher Dr. Athanasios Angelis explained, “Erectile dysfunction is not a symptom of ageing, it is a bad sign from the body that something is wrong with the vasculature. In 80 percent of cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by vascular problems ...click here to read more

Some behavioral science experts now believe that heart disease patients should be examined closely for signs of anxiety and depression, as new evidence suggests it can be linked to a higher risk of stroke and death in this group of people. New research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association shows that people ...click here to read more

Stroke risk and recovery are linked to sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. Based on study findings, researchers recommend that patients who have experienced a stroke or mini-stroke should be screened for sleep disorders. Study author Dirk M. Hermann said, “Although sleep disorders are common after a stroke, very few stroke patients are tested ...click here to read more