Category Archives: Heart Health

When a heart attack hits most people, expect two things to happen: they get a sudden pain in their chest or back and the intense pain travels down their arm. But before such a devastating effect happens, there may be warning signs long in advance. A heart attack may be the apex of congestive heart ...click here to read more

It’s funny how much we love spending to make us healthier. We’re always on the lookout for foods to eat, supplements to take, and pills to do this, that, and the other. And all of those things can be extremely helpful in making you healthy. But imagine there was one food or supplement that had ...click here to read more

The occurrence of gum disease has been linked to a hardening of large arteries in the brain and severe artery blockages, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2020. The preliminary research included two studies that raise the possibility that treating gum disease alongside other stroke risk factors could reduce ...click here to read more

New research has identified a pathological change that appears to link chronic kidney disease to progressive heart disease. Navkaranbir Bajaj, M.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his team found this link for the first time being tested in humans. Approximately 14 percent of the U.S. adult population has chronic kidney disease, so ...click here to read more

Cholesterol levels are a top concern among Americans focused on heart health. Whether you’re using statin medications or lifestyle measures to reduce it, can LDL get too low? Your body needs cholesterol, even the bad stuff. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is the stuff doctors are concerned about. Small particles can accumulate on arterial walls and ...click here to read more

A plant-based, lower protein diet may be the key to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers from Penn State University have determined that diets with reduced sulfur amino acids were associated with a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease. Sulfur amino acids appear in protein-rich foods such as meats, dairy, nuts, and soy. Amino acids ...click here to read more

Sugar is pretty serious stuff. What used to be an ingredient reserved for the occasional sweet treat is now added—in major amounts—to a number of packaged foods. The impact has been devastating. Excess intake of added sugar has been identified as one of the main causes of a number of modern illnesses. Weight gain, obesity, ...click here to read more

High cholesterol is a big-time risk factor for heart disease. When cholesterol accumulates inside your veins and arteries (called atherosclerosis), it raises blood pressure and puts increased pressure on the heart to pump blood. When your heart has a hard time pumping blood, it can lead to a bunch of problems. Not only does it ...click here to read more

It’s scary to think that your blood pressure readings could be way off. Inaccurate blood pressure readings might mean you’re taking medicine you don’t need. Or worse, you might not be aware of how high your blood pressure really is. Whether you’re at the doctor’s office or the comfort of your own home, preparing for ...click here to read more

Most people spend the bulk of their day surrounded by strangers. Fellow shoppers, commuters, diners, and those waiting for the doctor, however, typically sit in silence. But breaking the ice could help your health in a number of ways. Research suggests that talking to strangers can not only improve mood and well-being but benefit your ...click here to read more

Young adults who experience wide swings in blood pressure are more at risk for cardiovascular disease by middle age, according to a new study by Duke Health researchers. Many health care professionals currently only focus on an average blood pressure reading. The study published in JAMA Cardiology has found that the current practice of average ...click here to read more

New research shows how excess belly fat is linked with multiple occasions of cardiac events such as heart attack. It has long been known that fat stored around the belly is a marker for heart attack, but until now, the association between abdominal obesity and the risk of a subsequent heart attack or stroke was unknown. The ...click here to read more

Most people recognize the 120/80 ratio as one thing: a healthy blood pressure. But should it be the goal for everybody? A blood pressure reading of 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) means systolic pressure is 120 mmHg and diastolic is 80 mmHg and is considered healthy. Recently, however, the parameters have shifted. The American College ...click here to read more

On average, people are living longer. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are living better. Like with many things, life may be better judged by quality rather than quantity. Quality of life is often judged by health. If you’re living the extra years, it makes sense to want to live them as healthily as possible. ...click here to read more