Is Vaping Better for Your Heart Than Smoking?
Smoking is implicated in various cancers, including lung cancer, but its effect on the cardiovascular system is somewhat less discussed. However, smoking profoundly affects our blood vessels and, ultimately, our long-term heart health. Smoking traditional cigarettes can worsen atherosclerosis (the narrowing of the arteries) both in the heart and peripheral extremities, causing problems with limb […]
Wearable EKGs – Help or Hindrance
If you are reaching middle age or left that behind a while ago, you have likely had an EKG or electrocardiogram at your annual physical with your primary care physician. If you have visited a cardiologist, you’ve likely had one at their office too. The EKG was a transformative medical device that allowed us, as […]
What Is a Stress Test, and Why Is It Important?
If you’ve experienced chest pain or palpitations or your primary care physician or cardiologist believes you are at significant risk of arterial blockage, you may be referred for a stress test. Stress testing is a very common, informative, and non-invasive diagnostic procedure to learn more about how your heart is functioning. The mechanism by which […]
Is Sodium Really That Bad for Your Heart?
It’s a piece of advice that we’ve all heard. Reduce your sodium to improve your heart health. But does sodium truly affect your heart, or is this advice now outdated? First, let’s discuss sodium and its importance to the body. Sodium is a common mineral and represents an essential part of the proper functioning of […]
Sobering Data on Heart Disease That We Learned From COVID Numbers
Sobering numbers on COVID-19 deaths have just been released. In 2021, COVID became the third leading cause of death among Americans. While that’s not all too surprising with unimaginable numbers being released daily, you may be interested to learn what number one is and has been for a long while. Yes, heart disease. Of course, […]
The Importance of Smoking Cessation and Cardiovascular Health
There is no doubt that smoking influences cardiovascular and overall health (negatively). This is not new, and research has proven this repeatedly. And while we invariably link smoking with lung cancer, COPD, and other medical concerns, few people realize how significantly it affects our heart. Smoking is a leading contributor to atherosclerosis or the narrowing […]
Obese and Malnourished, a Double Whammy to Your Heart’s Health
It is no surprise that obesity is has reached epidemic portions in the United States. We consume more calories than we ever have in the past. Plus, the quality of what we eat has declined dramatically with the introduction of highly processed foods and the higher costs associated with fresh and organic produce. The result […]
Three Once-Maligned Foods That Are Good for Your Heart
When it comes to the healthfulness of certain foods, we often see flip-flopping in the scientific community. This is especially true for the three foods we will be discussing today. Of course, we must get proper nutrition, but it is also important to consider how we get it. The three foods we will discuss have […]
Is Cardio or Lifting Weights Better for My Heart?
If you are reading this article, we first want to acknowledge that you have started or are looking to start exercising to improve your heart health. This, and of itself, is a huge step forward in reducing the risk of heart disease and a whole host of other considerations and concerns that may arise, both […]
My EKG Says Nothing, but I’m Sure There’s a Problem. What Do I Do?
The EKG is an instrumental diagnostic test for patients regardless of whether they have concerns about their heart. EKGs have been instrumental in saving countless lives over the past several decades. To that end, you may have become used to an electrocardiogram or EKG at each of your annual checkups with your primary care physician […]
