Does COVID-19 contribute to heart attacks and other types of heart damage? If there is anything we have become certain about when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that there is so much that we do not know. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the virus, SARS-CoV-2, which translates to “severe acute respiratory […]
A doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test that uses ultrasonic sound waves to create images of the body. Healthcare professionals use this technology to learn about a patient’s blood flow and look for blockages or other types of irregularities. When Is a Doppler Ultrasound Ordered? While a Doppler ultrasound can be used to assist […]
What are the main risk factors that lead to developing heart disease? Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, comes in many forms, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), and stroke. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that heart disease accounts for over 17 million deaths worldwide each […]
Can plaque buildup in arteries eventually lead to a heart attack? As the world scrambles trying to get ahead of and ultimately defeat the COVID pandemic, other health issues have not gone away. Some of the most deadly are made even more serious because we don’t always have warning signs. High blood pressure is known […]
Over time, high blood pressure can negatively impact your health. If untreated, high blood pressure damages your arteries and increases your risk of heart disease. While a doctor may prescribe many medications to treat high blood pressure, you can also make essential lifestyle changes to improve your health and prevent more serious conditions from developing. […]
Heart disease is very common in the U.S. If you are experiencing any symptoms or irregularities concerning your heart, it’s important to get in touch with a medical provider right away. The right doctor can determine whether you have cardiovascular disease or other underlying medical issues. Addressing health concerns (particularly those having to do with […]
Can a slower than normal heart rate be a sign of damage from a heart attack? Lowering your heart rate is a good thing. That’s one of the goals of deep breathing exercises, meditation, and “getting back to nature”, right? We are constantly being told that our stress levels are too high and that we […]
Is leg swelling just something that comes and goes or should I have it checked by my doctor? Swelling in the legs, as well as the feet and ankles, is common. Is it something to worry about? That depends upon what is causing it. The swelling could be from something as simple as spending an […]
What is a heart monitor and why would my doctor suggest heart monitoring? Heart monitoring is exactly what it sounds like: the use of a device to record the heart’s electrical activity and translate that activity into data that can be read and analyzed by your doctor. Monitoring is different from going through one or […]
What are the possible reasons for my doctor ordering an echocardiogram? An echocardiogram is a noninvasive procedure that uses ultrasound (sound waves) to examine the heart’s structural integrity and functioning. A transducer, which is a hand-held wand, is held to the chest in certain locations and angles and emits sound waves. These sound waves painlessly […]
