Women and Stroke: The Facts Are Alarming According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five women in the United States will have a stroke in her lifetime. Nearly 50 percent of first-time strokes occur in women and 60 percent of stroke deaths are in women. Stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer and is the third …

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. But you can take control of your heart health by following simple lifestyle changes to reduce your risks. An online program developed by St. Elizabeth Healthcare offers tips, tools and strategies for living a life free from heart disease. Jeanie Foley is a registered nurse and the prevention and …

It’s no secret that smoking harms your health. But you might not realize just how bad it is. Joyce Jacobs, a Nurse Navigator at the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth, explains how smoking severely damages the heart, blood vessels and arteries and leads to life-threatening conditions. How Smoking Damages Your Heart and Vascular System “Nicotine in …

When it’s time for your annual primary care provider visit, one health value they’re likely checking is your cholesterol levels. So, you probably already know that keeping your cholesterol levels within range is essential for your overall health. It’s important that you have the facts on cholesterol. Here, Kevin Miller, MD, a Cardiologist at the Florence Wormald Heart and Vascular …

For five long decades, a smoking habit overshadowed Sally’s life. The idea of quitting always seemed like an unreachable goal — something she never tried to attempt. “I knew I shouldn’t be doing it,” she explained. “But because I enjoyed smoking, I hadn’t previously considered quitting.” Deep down, Sally knew each cigarette was taking its toll, even if she couldn’t …

Winter Richards’ heart was failing in May 2023, but she didn’t know it. In fact, at age 27, the thought had never crossed her mind. “My chest was congested, and my nose was stuffy,” Winter remembers. “For weeks, I couldn’t lie down without coughing and spitting. I remember thinking it must be allergies, even though I’d never had allergies before.” …

Eric Callaway celebrated his 40th birthday at St. Elizabeth Edgewood, where he was recovering from surgery to insert his new left ventricular assist device (LVAD). He felt lucky to be there. Callaway was only 26 years old when he had his first heart attack – on his birthday. He credits St. Elizabeth with seeing that he continues celebrating birthdays, going …

Heart specialists at St. Elizabeth Healthcare had been treating Mark Grigsby for months, but his symptoms were worsening. After extensive testing and discussion, they recommended surgery to implant a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). An LVAD is a mechanical heart pump for people like Mark with advanced heart failure. It helps the heart pump blood from the lower left heart …

Blood pressure kiosks are a fast, easy and cost-free way to monitor your blood pressure. But are they accurate? As with many things in life, the answer is, “It depends.” But before we expand on that, let’s talk about why people use these convenient devices and how they can be helpful. Why Do Blood Pressure Monitoring Kiosks Exist? If you …

A common misconception about stress is that it is “all in your head.” Ignore it, and the stress will go away. Not true. Stress is the body’s natural response to events or challenges that make us anxious, worried or scared. Everyone’s stressors are different and can change with age. Relationships, health, loss, grief, work and financial troubles can all cause …