Heart Health Archives

What is a Silent Stroke?

May 24, 2021 · Chris Iliades, MD · Heart Health

A regular stroke is a 911 emergency. It is an interruption of blood flow to part of your brain. Without blood, brain cells start to die. This stroke causes sudden symptoms like numbness and weakness on one side, loss of speech or the ability to understand speech, dizziness or loss … Read More

cholesterol medication statin side effects

Side Effects of Statins and Dementia

May 10, 2021 · Chris Iliades, MD · Heart Health

Based on some early studies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added a warning on statin drug labels that they may cause memory loss and confusion in some people. [1] This warning led to fears that statin drugs might increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which is the … Read More

The New Blood Pressure Chart: Where Do Your Numbers Fit?

Feb 2, 2021 · Chris Iliades, MD · Heart Health

High blood pressure – hypertension – used to be when your blood pressure was consistently 140 over 90 or higher. In 2017, the American Heart Association (AHA) lowered the number to 130 over 80 and changed the blood pressure chart categories. [1] The only way to know if you have … Read More

Mild Heart Attack Symptoms and What to Do When It Happens

Dec 14, 2020 · Jay Roland · Heart Health

What is a "mild heart attack"? You may have heard the expression and wondered exactly what it means. A bone can have a hairline fracture or a major break. A stroke can have relatively minor consequences or be severely debilitating. So can a heart attack be mild or major? The … Read More

When Should You Be Concerned About Swollen Feet?

Dec 8, 2020 · Chris Iliades, MD · Heart Health

Sometimes what to do about a swollen foot is an easy call. If you sprain your ankle or your foot is suddenly painful and swollen, calling your doctor is the way to go. [1] But what if you look down at your feet and ankles at the end of the … Read More

5 Heart Disease Warning Signs to Watch Out For

Aug 25, 2020 · Chris Iliades, MD · Heart Health

There are many types of heart disease, but the most common in the United Sates is coronary artery disease (CAD) which is decreased blood flow to your heart. Heart attack, abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias), and heart failure are other common heart disease conditions. [1] Common heart disease warning signs for these … Read More

Alcohol and Blood Pressure: How Alcohol Can Affect Hypertension

Jul 21, 2020 · Chris Iliades, MD · Heart Health

Drinking alcohol raises your blood pressure, even if you are not a heavy drinker. [1,2] Having an occasional three drinks during a meal or at a party could cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. [3] However, if you are a regular drinker – you drink two drinks or more … Read More

Get Accurate Blood Pressure Readings at Home

Jun 30, 2020 · Chris Iliades, MD · Heart Health

The American Heart Association recommends that anyone with hypertension should be monitoring blood pressure at home. Monitoring at home is the best way to see if your treatment is working to control your blood pressure. [1,2] Home monitoring may also help your doctor diagnose hypertension. Some people tend to have … Read More

Is a Low Heart Rate Dangerous?

Jun 23, 2020 · Jay Roland · Heart Health

A low heart rate may be a sign of an efficiently working heart. Or, if the rate becomes too low, it could be a sign of health complications down the road. A normal or healthy resting heart rate for an adult is between 60 and 100 beats a minute. A … Read More

Breathing Exercises to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Jun 23, 2020 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

Close your eyes and sit up straight. Take a deep breath while you count to five, then count to five again as you exhale. Go ahead and try it right now for six breaths. It feels good, doesn’t it? Breathing to lower blood pressure can be an effective strategy. Here’s … Read More

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