How Does Smoking Tobacco Negatively Impacts Heart Health?

cardiogram Cigarette Use, Heart Health

There’s an abundance of scientific research that links smoking tobacco to cardiovascular disease.1 This is because the toxic substances found in tobacco products will gradually wreak havoc on your heart and vessels.  However, it is not all doom and gloom! By quitting smoking (and it’s never too late) there’s a good chance that over time, your risk of heart disease …

Happy New Year, Cardiogram Fam!

cardiogram Cardiogram

Dear Cardiogram Fam,  Just like that, our year comes to an end.  For some of us, this year was one full of growth and joy. For others, it was one full of obstacles and heartache.  For all of us, it was a temporary part of the journey.   With the new year approaching, we all share the same goal of becoming …

SVT and Me (Part 3)

Shay Guest Blogger, Heart Health, Supraventricular Tachycardia

SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGERHi, Cardiogram Fam! In Part 3/3 of her SVT and Me series, Shaquana Graves (also known as Shay), a fellow Cardiogram member and cardiovascular technologist, details her experience with cardiac ablation. Once Cardiogram helped to validate my condition and concerns (all of which I share in Part 2), I was finally able to be truly heard by my medical …

SVT and Me (Part 2): How Cardiogram Allowed My Condition to Be Taken Seriously

Shay Guest Blogger, Medical Conditions, Supraventricular Tachycardia

SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGERHi, Cardiogram Fam! We’d like to introduce a special guest blogger, Shaquana Graves (also known as Shay), a fellow Cardiogram member and cardiovascular technologist, as she shares Part 2 of her journey with SVT.Rewind from where we left off in Part 1… I was at work, doing my typical duties (assessing and treating patients, completing diagnostic testing, etc.) …

SVT ECG read out, text on graphic: Shay's Story What It's Like to Experience Supraventricular Tachycardia?

SVT and Me (Part 1): What it’s like to experience supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Shay Medical Conditions, Supraventricular Tachycardia

SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGERHi, Cardiogram Fam! We’d like to introduce a special guest blogger, Shaquana Graves (also known as Shay), a fellow Cardiogram member and cardiovascular technologist, as she shares Part 1 of her journey with SVT.Supraventricular tachycardia (or SVT) is intermittent, unprovoked rapid heart rate that occurs when there is a disruption of the heart’s electrical system. This disruption causes …

artist rendering of inside of a blood with fat cells floating

What is the Relationship Between Dyslipidemia and Coronary Artery Disease?

cardiogram Coronary Artery Disease, Dyslipidemia

Over the years, high cholesterol levels have become a source of public fear due to mainstream media narratives. However, there’s more to the story.  Doctors refer to an abnormal lipid panel as dyslipidemia. This is a disease that involves abnormal cholesterol levels and can . Diagnosis usually involves a simple blood draw and there are treatment and preventative protocols that …

High Cholesterol Graphic

High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)

cardiogram High Cholesterol, Medical Conditions

High cholesterol is a common, but serious, issue. It arises when there’s an excess amount of a waxy substance called cholesterol in the blood. Around 38% of the U.S. adult population have high cholesterol1. And the development of it can lead to heart disease and stroke. But there are ways to both prevent and lower cholesterol! Before we get there, let’s …

Heart Failure 101

cardiogram Heart Conditions 101, Heart Failure

Heart failure describes the inability of the heart to pump blood into the major blood vessels. As a result, your organs will receive insufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients, causing a whole range of complications. A Bit About Heart Failure According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 6.2 million Americans are living with heart failure.1 This condition …

Why is Exercise Important in Type II Diabetes Prevention & Management?

cardiogram Diabetes, Medical Conditions

We all know it’s important to get exercise. But putting this knowledge into practice may actually prevent and control type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).   The Importance of Physical Activity for T2DMPeople with T2DM who live a physically active lifestyle maintain better control over the disease and its complications. And maintaining a healthy body weight and an active lifestyle may even prevent …