When I was growing up in Georgia, my mother put meatloaf on the table all the time. We ate burgers and hot dogs like everybody else and didn’t think anything about it. I don’t remember ever eating fish at our house. This was before we had all the studies about the negative effects of cholesterol, … Continue reading Why I went plant-based and why my patients should too
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. Smoking, high blood pressure, a lack of exercise, high cholesterol, anger and stress are some of the key risk factors for developing heart disease. But studies have shown that regular yoga practice can help improve your health on many levels, … Continue reading Yoga and its heart-healthy benefits
Influenza and heart attack are things we don’t normally associate together, but the two are more connected than you might think. A recent study found that a person’s chances of having a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, increase significantly after a flu diagnosis. In the study, people who had been diagnosed with the flu in … Continue reading How the flu increases your risk of heart attack
It’s common knowledge that running is one of the most efficient forms of exercise. Many people enjoy running, myself included, and it’s proven that aerobic exercise is good for the heart. But is it possible to run too much? I’ve completed 54 marathons during my lifetime, including one in every state. But in 2012, new … Continue reading Why too much running is bad for your heart
82-year-old Herman Veselka is no stranger to hospitals. Over the last 25 years, he’s undergone several cardiovascular procedures, and had a front-row seat to watch how heart surgery and technology have evolved over time. When he arrived at Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital’s Center for Valve Disorders last July, he had … Continue reading 82-year-old valve patient experiences evolution of heart surgery first-hand
There are tests for nearly everything in healthcare. Some tell your doctor if you’re likely to develop diabetes or arthritis; others tell of developing cancer in the intestines or breast, and even if a broken bone is healed or should be replaced. But finding out how much blockage you may have in your heart is … Continue reading How a calcium screening can detect risk of heart disease
We often focus on how to eat better but forget to focus on the why. Everyone always hears about what we need to do to live a healthier life, but the ‘why’ is important because it is what empowers us to change! In “How Not to Die” by Michael Greger, MD, the founder of nutritionfacts.org, … Continue reading Staying on the right beat with your heart health
Understanding your blood pressure is vital when it comes to the quality of your heart and overall health. Here are some of the most important facts you should know about blood pressure and how you can maintain a healthy heart. What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is related to the amount of pressure generated by your … Continue reading Silent damages: Why you should keep track of your blood pressure
In this day and age, it seems like a new diet pops up every time we turn on the TV. As consumers, trying to sort through all of this information and divide fact from fad can be an overwhelming task. As dietitians, our job is to help people develop nutrition strategies to achieve their goals … Continue reading How fad diets affect heart health
The human body is composed of between 20,000 and 25,000 different genes that make us into who we are today. Some of the genes we inherit determine the color of our hair, while others are responsible for the development of the heart. Unfortunately, sometimes a faulty gene can be present, leading to a life-threatening genetic heart … Continue reading Genetic heart conditions could cause sudden death
