Heart health: The new โlifeโs essential 8โฒ list
February is American Heart Month. You may have heard of โLifeโs Essential Seven.โ Itโs a list of the top seven ways to improve and maintain heart health. But now the American Heart Association has updated their list to include an eighth habit.
What you need to know about high blood pressure and pregnancy
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ We are just over halfway through American Heart Month, which raises awareness for heart disease as the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the U.S.A recent study from the American Heart Association found that high blood pressure complications in U.S. pregnancies have nearly doubled. Dr. Sabrina Phillips, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic and volunteer with the American Heart Association, said the statistics are heartbreaking because high blood pressure can predict complications during pregnancy and also heart disease problems down the road as you age. That you make sure you get your blood pressure taken,โ Phillips said. She said part of the battle for the AHA is getting resources to communities of need.
Avoid these habits that hurt your heart
While COVID-19 and the flu still linger around, you may not even be thinking about the possibility of a bad heart. In fact, 72% of Americans donโt consider themselves at risk for heart disease. One study revealed that people were 3.2 times more likely to have a heart attack if they were in heavy congestion the hour before. One study found people with high-frequency hearing loss, caused by exposure to high-decibel noise, had nearly twice the risk of heart disease. โThe bacteria can affect your heart, your lungs, many systems of the body,โ said Larry Lieberman, DDS, at Dental Arts of Palm Harbor.
Many skip heart care and medication over COVID-19 concerns
According to a recent survey, many Americans are putting their heart health on the back burner due to fear of contracting COVID-19. But, according to a recent survey many Americans are putting their heart health on the back burner due to fear of contracting COVID-19. โThis is not a good idea because blood pressure, cholesterol can go up,โ said Dr. Kapadia. โAnd if you ever contract COVID, these kinds of situations can make the outcomes even worse, so filling medications, taking medications regularly, having proper levels to check if the medications are working or not. So, the weight gain, in all terms, cardiovascular health, or general health, is not a good outcome,โ said Dr. Kapadia.
Yoga instructor raises awareness about increased risk of heart disease in Black community
The CDC says one person dies every 36 seconds in the states because of heart disease. African Americans have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke due to underlying issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. One yoga instructor is working to raise awareness of heart disease in the Black community with a new fitness challenge. AdโAlmost 50% of Black women over 20 have heart disease and Black adults are most likely to die from heart disease compared to other racial-ethnic groups. 80% of deaths related to heart disease, especially as it relates to stroke and heart disease are preventable,โ said Kane.
Ablation more effective than medication for intermittent A-Fib, study says
Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib, is an irregular heartbeat that can cause poor blood flow. Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib, is an irregular heartbeat that can cause poor blood flow. Patients received the standard medication, or a cryo balloon ablation. After a year, 75% of the patients who received an ablation were still free from AFib. AdIn comparison, only 45% of the patients who received medication were still AFib-free.