Category Archives: Heart Health

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) happens when the heart does not receive enough oxygenated blood, so parts of the heart muscle get damaged or die. The most common cause is arterial blockage due to a buildup of plaque in the arteries. When a part of the plaque ruptures inside of the artery, a blood clot ...click here to read more

A new study has found that stress and certain lifestyle habits are linked to heart rhythm disorders (atrial fibrillation). Atrial fibrillation is particularly harmful because it increases the risk of blood clotting, stroke, and heart failure. The study included over 6,500 adults without heart disease who were rated based on seven factors that relate to ...click here to read more

High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, so it’s important to keep your numbers in check. LDL cholesterol clogs up your arteries and makes them stiff, so your heart has to work harder as a result. This is problematic because over time this extra strain can cause damage and even trigger a heart ...click here to read more

Heart arrhythmia is when there is a problem with the heart’s electrical impulses that coordinate heartbeats, resulting in a rapid heartbeat or a slow one. Feeling like a heart fluttering, oftentimes arrhythmia is not indicative of anything serious. In other cases, a heart arrhythmia is a sign of a problem that requires medical treatment. To ...click here to read more

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a post-stroke complication. If paralysis or loss of muscle control occurs on one side of the face, then talking and swallowing can become challenging. In some cases, patients may have difficulty speaking, understanding speech, putting speech together, or writing. A speech and language therapist can work with a patient in ...click here to read more

Heart failure after a heart attack may be reduced with Mediterranean-style diet. There have already been numerous studies demonstrating the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which consists of fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains, minimal sugar, and a glass of wine. It’s a known fact that people who experience heart failure after a heart attack ...click here to read more

Cardiomegaly (enlarged heart) isn’t a disease on its own, but rather a symptom of another condition. An enlarged heart can be seen on X-ray images, but additional tests are required to determine the exact cause of cardiomegaly. Cardiomegaly can be temporary or chronic, depending on its underlying cause. In many cases, cardiomegaly is a treatable ...click here to read more

Heart valve disease refers to a group of conditions preventing the heart valves from properly functioning. It disrupts circulation and may turn into a life-threatening condition. When heart valve disease is spotted early on, the function of the heart valve can be successfully restored with treatment. The heart has four main valves, known as the ...click here to read more

Heart attack or heart disease risk may be increased with raised yellow patches of skin around the eyelids. These yellow patches around the eye often signify high cholesterol. The condition is also referred to as xanthelasma. Although cholesterol deposits around the eyes may not always signify high cholesterol, it’s still important to check your blood ...click here to read more

Balance problems are a common experience for people following a stroke. Insufficient co-ordination and stability can make people feel unsteady and lead to falls and lack of confidence. Thankfully, there are exercises that can help stroke sufferers regain balance. The impact of stroke on balance can be complex, but we know that the brain sends ...click here to read more

Sudden cardiac arrest refers to the sudden and unexpected loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness. It’s important to note that sudden cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack. In a heart attack, blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest often results from a disturbance of electrical activity in the heart ...click here to read more

Delirium after cardiac surgery is linked to prolonged loss of cognitive function. The findings of the study suggest that interventions to prevent delirium in advance of surgery could help cardiac patients avoid long-term cognitive consequences. Co-lead author Jane Saczynski explained, “Our findings now suggest that postoperative delirium, once thought of as an acute, transient cognitive ...click here to read more

High blood pressure is a frequent topic of discussion as it is associated with an increased risk of a heart attack and stroke. But low blood pressure is often left out, even though this condition comes along with its own complications. Low blood pressure doesn’t have a clear-cut definition, because what is considered low for ...click here to read more

Heart failure risk in older adults may increase with high protein diet and processed red meat intake. For their study, the researchers reviewed self-reported diets of 103,878 women over the age of 50. Of the participants, 1,711 went on to develop heart failure. The researchers found that high intake of dietary protein was associated with ...click here to read more