Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, was always thought to be a disease of the old and sick. But a report published by the medical journal from the American College of Cardiology says heart failure is rising in people under 65 years of age. The study shows that death rates are increasing for adults between 35 and 64 …

It’s all in the rhythm. Is it steady or irregular? Strong or labored? A clear picture of exactly how your heart is beating is one of the first tools a doctor needs to determine your heart health. An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), is a simple, painless test that records the electrical activity of your heartbeat. Think of the heart as …

E-Cigarettes have been around since 2006, and by the name alone most people would assume there’s nicotine in the product. “The scariest part of these products is kids don’t know it contains nicotine and other harmful products. Kids think it is just water and flavoring,” says Joyce Jacobs. Joyce is a Heart and Vascular Prevention and Wellness Nurse Navigator at …

For years, we were told that cholesterol is bad. It spurred a whole industry of low-cholesterol foods. As it turns out, not all cholesterol is bad. Kevin Miller, MD, a Cardiologist at the Florence Wormald Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, provides a deep dive into what you need to know about cholesterol. What is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is …

The pressure in your chest comes and goes. But there’s something different.   You are short of breath, breaking out in a sweat, and feel nauseated. That’s it. Call 911. Don’t wait Do not wait for the waves of chest pains to pass. Do not get concerned about making a mountain out of a mole hill. Don’t get hung up …

For years, you’ve heard that maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough exercise can help keep your heart healthy. Now, there’s one more factor you need to consider — sleep. Until recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) suggested a Simple 7™ list to protect your heart: · Eating a healthy diet · Getting enough exercise · Maintaining a healthy weight …

You aren’t alone if the first thing you think of when you think of the holiday season is stress, stress, and more stress. All of that added stress can lead to serious health problems. Studies have shown that there is an increase in cardiac events during the holiday season, possibly triggered by activities such as shoveling heavy snow or a …

If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib) or experience heart palpitations, you have probably heard that you should stop your consumption of caffeine. Dr. Jon Hays, Electrophysiologist for the Florence Wormwald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. ELizabeth, says that is not necessarily true. “The practice of eliminating caffeine from your diet if you have heart rhythm issues is an old standard …

Vaping devices, also known as e-cigarettes, vape pens, e-vaporizers, or electronic nicotine delivery systems are becoming familiar terms. Since they first were introduced to the public, they have become wildly popular in many shapes and sizes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022 more than 2.5 million middle and high school students in the United …

After a Heart Event: Reading a Food Nutrition Label So, you have had a heart event, now what? You are probably scared and have asked your doctors, friends and neighbors a million questions to try to prevent it from ever happening again. Joyce Jacobs, RN, MSN, a Nurse Navigator with the Florence Wormwald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth …