Category Archives: Heart Health

Beta-blockers are common medications used to treat high blood pressure and prevent heart attacks. They work by blocking the receptors that respond to adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) of the sympathetic nervous system. These receptors can be found in the cells of heart muscles, airways, kidneys, and other tissues that are part of the sympathetic ...click here to read more

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a vascular disease characterized by abnormal cell growth in the walls of medium and large arteries, leading to a beaded appearance. This can have some negative consequences, causing arteries to become narrower, reducing blood flow, and in some cases, leading to bulging blood vessels (aneurysms) or dissections (artery tears). The most common ...click here to read more

Many people assume that heart failure is a singular problem, when really, there are different types of heart failure. Here we look at heart failure types and what they mean. When we hear the term “heart failure,” it conjures up thoughts of the heart not working at all; however, heart failure really means that the ...click here to read more

Resting heart rate is a person’s heart rate when they are not performing any physical activity – they are at rest. A normal resting heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. Essentially, the lower the resting heart rate is the more efficient your heart functions. A low resting heart rate is also ...click here to read more

How does cold weather affect the heart? The winter months are often associated with snow and cold weather, but what most people don’t realize is that significant drops in temperature, commonly seen during colder months of the year, not only affects your comfort but also can affect heart health. Staying outdoors for prolonged periods without ...click here to read more

Research shows that alcohol is the most frequently consumed toxic substance, but when it is abused, it can cause a host of health problems, including alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Just what is alcoholic cardiomyopathy? Well, it is a form of heart disease that occurs due to long-term alcohol abuse. Doctors have known for a long time that ...click here to read more

We always stress how dangerous high blood pressure is, but did you know that low blood pressure is a large threat to your health too? Where high blood pressure can increase your risk of a heart-related event, low blood pressure – or hypotension – can increase your risk of cognitive impairment or dementia. Researchers found ...click here to read more

A person experiences vasoconstriction when they have constricted blood vessels. When vasoconstriction happens, blood flow is slowed or blocked. It is generally a warning of a health condition that requires serious attention. Vasoconstriction is an important process in the human body. It stops hemorrhage and retains heat. On a larger scale, it is a mechanism ...click here to read more

Your heart undergoes plenty of stress during the holidays, increasing your risk of Christmas heart attack and holiday heart syndrome. December 26th, in particular, is a dangerous day for those suffering from heart-related problems, so these individuals become more vulnerable to heart attacks, arrhythmias and heart failure. Previous research suggested that the risk of heart-related ...click here to read more

Right side chest pain is a commonly reported symptom experienced by many. While it may not have the same connotations as left-sided chest pain, which is often related to having a heart attack, right-sided chest pain can also be associated with several relatively unappreciated consequences. The left side of the chest is often given more ...click here to read more

Indigestion can cause a sense of heaviness or a sharp pain in the chest, but sometimes that twinge can be something more serious, such as microvascular angina. Just what is microvascular angina? Read on and find out what a microvascular angina diagnosis means and how you can treat or prevent it. Microvascular angina is a ...click here to read more

Oh cheese. So delicious, but so forbidden if you want to keep your heart healthy. Well, not anymore! If you’re a lover of cheese like I am, then I have some great news for you. Daily consumption of cheese (40 grams or 1.41 ounces) may cut your risk of heart disease and stroke, according to ...click here to read more

Nearly one in 10 Americans have the strong urge to move their legs, and not in a productive manner. About five million U.S. adults have moderate to severe restless leg syndrome (RLS), a disorder that causes a person’s legs to move uncontrollably, often leading to discomfort and irritation. A new study has found that there ...click here to read more

Bigeminy is a medical term referring to the sensation of the heart skipping a beat, also described as heart fluttering or palpitations. Bigeminy occurs when the rhythm of the heart become irregular, causing blood to move through it in an abnormal manner. The condition is essentially a normal heartbeat followed by a premature one, with ...click here to read more