Like the chaos of a hailstorm on a tin roof comes the electrical storm of atrial fibrillation (AF). During AF, the atria are quivering (fibrillating) and firing hundreds of impulses at the same time. It’s as if the electrical circuits have gone haywire. If this rhythm problem is not diagnosed or isn’t managed properly, it can lead to strokes, heart …
Why a Blood Pressure of 120/80 is No Longer Textbook Perfect
In 2017, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) released updated guidelines for the prevention, detection, and management of high blood pressure in adults. These guidelines marked a significant shift in how healthcare professionals approach hypertension, with new thresholds, definitions, and treatment recommendations. Let’s delve into the key aspects of these guidelines and their impact …
Log Your Blood Pressure to Manage Hypertension
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health issues. One of the most effective strategies for managing hypertension is consistently logging your blood pressure. This practice provides valuable insights into your health, helps you understand the effects of lifestyle choices and medications, and aids in making …
What You Can Do About Inflammation
Inflammation, the body’s natural response to injury or infection, plays a crucial role in the development and progression of heart disease. While acute inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process, chronic inflammation can be detrimental, contributing to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. This buildup can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Understanding the …
Rest Easy- A Simple Way to Improve Your Sleep
Are you consistently logging 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, only to wake up feeling tired and groggy? Are you asking yourself why do I sleep so much and never feel rested? If so, you may be experiencing the effects of a potentially serious yet treatable condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized …
Let’s Hear It For Worrying!
Some minds rarely take a rest—thoughts keep whirring, even throughout the night. What if you could let worrying and mental rumination work to your advantage? Worrying, often perceived negatively, can have positive aspects when managed appropriately. Feelings at the Root of Thoughts “He who fears he shall suffer already suffers what he fears” is a well-known quote attributed to the …
Move From Healthcare to Self Care!
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the broad term for a group of diseases that typically coexist and include: About 1 in 3 Americans has at least one type of CVD. Prevention is the best treatment because CVD kills more people than cancer, accidents, and chronic lower respiratory diseases combined. CVD risk factors are a mix of modifiable and non-modifiable influences. Modifiable …
Women’s Heart Health and Stress
Many women’s daily lives are stretched to the limit by the multiple roles they fill at work, at home, and in the community. In many households, women still perform most childcare, shopping, cleaning, cooking, and, in some cases, care of elderly parents or in-laws. Some working women have incorporated a male standard for achievement in the workplace while retaining the …
A Different Risk: Women and Cardiovascular Disease
Although the overall mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) is decreasing for both women and men, it is still the leading cause of death for all American women regardless of ethnicity In 2014, females represented nearly half of deaths attributable to CVD. Over the next month, we will provide information on the differences in cardiovascular disease in women compared to …
Work Stress and Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death of American adults. Although much attention is given to the importance of diet, exercise, smoking cessation and the role of genetics, a lesser focus has been given to the role of stress reduction in the prevention and treatment of heart disease. A large number of studies have demonstrated a clear link between …