Does your heart seem to race or beat “funny”? It could be one of the most common heart rhythm disorders – atrial fibrillation. “And that can be fixed,” says Dr. Mohamad C. Sinno, a Cardiologist specializing in cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology at the Florence Wormwald Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth. What is AFib? Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a …

Blood pressure machine 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 …

Heart attacks often don’t send warning signs. So, when people suddenly and unexpectedly feel symptoms, they think, “This can’t be happening! I’m … As the American Heart Association warns, “Don’t die of doubt.” If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911. It Helps to Learn Heart Attack Symptoms Knowing the symptoms of a heart …

Conversations about heart disease typically prompt images of male patients. But heart problems are a major concern for women, too. Nationwide, over 60 million women have some form of heart disease. It contributed to one in five female deaths in 2021, but few women are aware of the dangers.   This is particularly true with Hispanic women. According to the …

Most of us are familiar with hypertension (high blood pressure). But fewer people know about a condition called hypotension, or low blood pressure. Symptoms can be scary, but doctors can help you treat hypotension. Here’s what you need to know. Two Types of Hypotension Blood pressure measures the rate at which blood pumps through your body. A normal, healthy range …

You may have heard about the Mediterranean diet – or you may even know a friend or family member who’s following it. Have you wondered what all the buzz is about? We recently sat down with Amaninderapal Ghotra, MD, a Cardiologist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, to dive into the details of this heart-protective lifestyle and diet. What is the Mediterranean …

Vaping (using e-cigarettes) is actually no safer than smoking. It’s a public health emergency that affects more than your lungs. Vaping also significantly increases your risk for heart and vascular disease. So, if you’re vaping, it’s time to ditch e-cigarettes. Here’s what you need to know. What Is a Vaping Device (E-cigarette)? A standard e-cigarette device holds a cartridge with …

Many medications that help prevent or treat heart disease date back to ancient times, including aspirin and Digitalis. The blood thinner warfarin was first used for sick cattle in Canada. And a common cholesterol-lowering drug called lovastatin occurs naturally in oyster mushrooms, as a Japanese scientist discovered in 1970. Today scientists continue to develop safer, more effective medications for people …

Heart disease and stroke, recognized as the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States, claim the lives of more than 877,500 Americans annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response to this alarming reality, the St. Elizabeth Healthcare CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit is taking proactive steps by bringing cardiovascular screenings and educational …

Joyce Jacobs has always loved helping others and taking care of people. A career in nursing was a natural fit for her. Her journey through nursing taught her the importance of self-care, which led her to adopt a healthy lifestyle. She exercised several times a week, ate healthy foods and always stayed on top of preventive care. When a routine …