For more than 70 years, heart disease has been the No. 1 killer in the United States. It can cause coronary artery disease (narrowing or blockage of the arteries), heart attack or stroke. And you can develop it even if you don’t have a family history. As of 2018, 30.3 million American adults had some form of heart disease. But, …
It’s one of the most dreaded parts of winter: shoveling snow out in the cold. But can the cold weather and shoveling cause a heart attack? Dr. Saadeddine Dughman, an Interventional Cardiologist with the Florence Wormald Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth, weighs in on the debate. “Cold weather alone can affect your heart – add in the physical …
Have you ever been sitting in a meeting or trying to fall asleep and suddenly your heart skips, flutters or maybe starts racing? You aren’t alone. Palpitations or flutters can feel like the heart is throbbing, flip-flopping, murmuring, or pounding. They can also feel like the heart skips a beat. Some people feel palpitations as a pounding in the chest …
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 …
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 …


