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When we think of electrolytes, it's often in the form of a bottle of a sports' energy drink after a hard workout or drinking a rehydration beverage when we're sick. Those are great methods for hydration, but keeping your electrolytes balanced is also a way to support your heart's health and well-being. Here are five electrolytes that have been shown to boost heart health—no blue liquid required: Calcium regulates and maintains heart rhythm and blood pressure. Foods high in calcium include dairy, dark le...
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You're going about your day, working, exercising or spending time with family, when all of a sudden you feel a sharp, stabbing pain in your abdomen. You've been nauseated and haven't had much of an appetite all day. If you've ever felt this way, don't just dismiss it as something simple as overeating.These are all signs that you have appendicitis or inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis occurs due to infection, parasites or when the tube that joins your large intestine and appendix is blocked by tr...
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In February, we often think about Valentine's, love, and our feelings about our partners, siblings and close friends. It's no surprise because those are the people who make us feel young at heart. A study in American Psychologist reports social connections help us live longer, lower our risk for heart disease and boost our immunities. Feeling young at heart is good, but certain risk factors may actually be aging your heart beyond its calendar years. Do you know your heart's real age? ...
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When you think of a typical heart attack patient, there's a good chance the person who comes to mind is an older man in his 50s or 60s, clutching his chest in sudden pain. That doesn't always align with reality, however. Which of these people do you think is most at risk for a heart attack? SCENARIO #1: A 65-year-old woman with a family history of heart disease is overweight but gets a moderate amount of exercise and tries to follow a healthy diet. She is aware that her weight and family history put her...
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The metaphor of a broken heart to describe intense emotional pain has been a favorite among poets and jilted lovers since the beginning of time. In 1990, Japanese scientists discovered that the hurt felt after a messy breakup or the loss of a loved one affects the heart—but it doesn't necessarily break it. Sudden turmoil temporarily enlarges a part of the heart and prevents it from pumping efficiently, yet the rest of your heart maintains normal function. The Cleveland Clinic reports that Takotsubo card...
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for men and women worldwide. In honor of American Heart Month, now is the perfect time to reflect on what can be done to prevent CVD from affecting your family. Every year, the United States spends more than $300 billion on CVD, including health services, medications and lost productivity. According to the World Health Organization, CVD kills an estimated 17.3 million people every year, and it is projected to remain the leading cause of death un...
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Whether you suffer a cut, scratch or other small wound, there are three basic steps for at-home treatment. Stop the bleeding. Use firm pressure to apply a cloth or bandage on the minor wound for 20 to 30 minutes. Clean the injury with cool, running water. Use soap to clean the skin around the wound (not the wound itself ). If you see splinters, gravel or other small objects in the laceration, rinse them gently away or use tweezers to remove. Spread an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment onto the wound....
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Heart disease, the leading cause of death among Americans, is responsible for approximately 659,000 deaths annually. High cholesterol is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke. While doctors can diagnose the condition from blood test results, many people don't understand what cholesterol is or how to interpret their lipid profile. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance in the blood essential for digesting foods, producing hormones and creating new cells. Your liver...
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Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, "Love keeps the cold out better than a cloak." While that is beautiful prose, it's not always easy for your heart to withstand the winter weather. Studies have shown that Americans are up to 30% more likely to have a heart attack in the winter. That may be because colder temperatures can profoundly affect our bodies, particularly our cardiovascular system. Our blood vessels constrict when exposed to cooler temperatures, increasing blood pressure and straining t...
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Connection Between Diabetes and Heart Disease Having diabetes already makes you feel thirsty, tired or even hungry, but did you know some of the disease's symptoms also affect your heart? A 2020 study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology called Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CAD) "two bad companions." Heart disease risk for diabetes patients was equivalent to those with preexisting CAD. This is because high glucose levels can damage blood vessels over time. In fact, re...
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