The Connection between Depression and Heart Disease

Over the past 20 years, research has been conducted to determine the link between heart disease and depression. Today, depression is considered one of the causes of heart disease. A Baltimore, MD study shows that of the 1,551 people involved in the study (all of which were free of cardiac disease when the study began) those participants with a history of depression were four times more likely to suffer a heart attack within the next 14 years than those individuals who did not. Additionally, researchers in Canada discovered that depressed heart patients were four times more likely to die within the next six months than those patients who were not…

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January 25, 2015Leave a commentblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake

When Your Heart Doctor Orders a Stress Test

Your heart doctor may order a stress test to help him determine if you have heart disease. The goal of a stress test is to measure how much stress your heart can manage before it develops a problem, such as an abnormal rhythm or decreased blood flow to the muscles of your heart. Unless otherwise instructed, you should not eat, smoke, or drink beverages containing caffeine for at least three hours before your stress test. Your heart doctor will tell you whether you should take your heart medicine as usual that day. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing. You can expect a stress test to last about 60 minutes. There…

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January 14, 2015Leave a commentblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake

What is Venous Disease and What Can You Do About It?

The vein clinic doctor says you have venous disease, but what does that mean? Venous disease is one of the most common affiliations in the United States. It is estimated that about 25 million people suffer from this condition. Understanding what causes venous disease and the treatment options the vein doctors can offer will make things clearer. What is Venous Disease? The veins serve as a transport system for blood traveling to the heart to get oxygen. Built into this network are valves designed to push the blood upward against gravity. When the valves fail to close properly, the blood flows backwards and pools in your legs. The medical term…

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January 7, 20151 Commentblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake

What You Can Do to Manage Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that you can under the surface of your skin. Varicose veins are most common in the lower legs, but they can happen anywhere. According to Mayo Clinic, you may have them if you notice the following symptoms. Veins with a bulging, ropelike appearance. Dark blue or purple veins. Achy or overly tired legs. Lower leg swelling or muscle cramping. Pain that gets worse after you sit or stand still for a long time. Itching near a vein that seems to be varicose. If you start to notice that you have varicose veins developing, there are plenty of simple treatments you can try at home to…

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December 24, 2014Leave a commentblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake

Three Signs of Great Cardiac Specialists

You have a big decision to make when it’s time to choose a cardiac specialist. This can happen if your primary care doctor recommends that you see a cardiologist to manage heart disease, or if you’re at high risk for cardiac arrest. Many cardiac specialists are highly qualified for the position, so choosing one for your Arizona cardiovascular treatment can be difficult. You can narrow your options by looking at the following three aspects. 1. The cardiologist makes you feel comfortable. Regardless of how well-educated or experienced a cardiologist is, he or she is not the right doctor for you if you don’t feel comfortable. You should feel comfortable asking…

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December 14, 2014Leave a commentblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake

Heart Disease in Women

Heart disease is among the cardiovascular diseases that affect the heart and blood vessel system. According to the National Institutes of Health, heart disease is the top killer among women in the United States, with 1 in 4 women will dying from the disease. In 2009, the disease was responsible for killing 292,188 women. Who is At Risk for Heart Disease? The primary risks for men and women developing heart disease are obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. However, there are some risk factors that increase a woman’s risk of developing the disease. They include: Lifestyle choices. Women who are obese, lack proper exercise, and smoke cigarettes are at a great…

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December 7, 2014Leave a commentblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake

What to look for when choosing a Cardiologist

What makes a cardiologist the right one for you? The doctor/patient relationship is a personal one, so it is critical you make smart choices. It may boil down to trial and error, but there are some things you can look for during your search. Consider key indicators that this is the right cardiac specialist to help you manage your heart disease. Ask for Recommendations Online directories offer clinical details about a doctor, but that is a two-dimensional view of a practitioner. Word of mouth is one of the best marketing tools a physician has, so ask around to see what heart doctors your family and friends use. Your primary care…

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December 1, 20142 Commentsblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake

Understanding Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is usually genetic, meaning it runs in families. This condition affects 1 out of every 500 adults; however, anyone at any age can develop this cardiovascular disease. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart muscle thickens; making the heart’s four chambers smaller. The reduction in size leads to stiffening of the heart’s walls. This causes the aortic and mitral heart valves to function abnormally. These changes make it difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body, which could lead to cardiac arrest. Signs and Symptoms Individuals with HCM may notice signs or have no symptoms, whatsoever. Signs of HCM include: Fatigue Dizziness Palpitations/Fluttering in…

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November 25, 2014Leave a commentblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake

Possible Connection between Anxiety and Heart Disease

Dr. Una McCann, who is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, believes there is a strong connection between anxiety and heart disease. She states that her personal clinical experience leads her to believe that anxiety disorders can play an enormous part in contributing to cardiovascular disease and then becoming an obstacle during the recovery process. Heart Attack and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) According to Dr. McCann, the natural reaction to a sudden heart attack mimics post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many times patients: Have difficulty sleeping Are shocked by their brush with death Continuously relive their near-death experience Hesitate to continue doing…

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November 21, 2014Leave a commentblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake

Do You Know the Top Causes of Heart Disease?

The term heart disease is really an umbrella expression. It’s a range of conditions that have an effect on your heart’s health. Many people use this term and cardiovascular disease interchangeably. Cardiovascular disease includes specific disorders linked to blood vessels that are blocked or narrowed and can result in heart attacks, angina or strokes. Overview of Heart Disease Knowing the causes of heart disease can help prevent its occurrence. Heart doctors say this knowledge also triggers healthier lifestyle changes to treat existing cardiac illness and avoid cardiac arrest. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiac disease is the leading cause of death for both males and females.…

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November 9, 2014Leave a commentblogpost, UncategorizedBy jake