Heart Health Archives

How Healthy Are Your Heart Valves?

Apr 17, 2017 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

Your heart has four valves to control the flow of blood within the chambers of the heart, as well as to the rest of the body. But if one of those valves stops working properly, the health complications can become life threatening. Heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and other … Read More

Ask the Doctor: Pulmonary Hypertension; Home Health Care; Allergies

Apr 17, 2017 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

Q: I’ve had mitral valve disease for a long time, as well as poorly controlled blood pressure. I also developed pulmonary hypertension. My mitral valve was repaired, but I wonder if that will help my pulmonary hypertension. It seems like a very serious condition. A: Pulmonary hypertension (sometimes called pulmonary … Read More

Determine Your Risk for Peripheral Artery Disease

Apr 17, 2017 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

Peripheral artery disease (PAD), a serious circulatory condition that affects about eight million Americans, is the result of narrowed peripheral arteries, usually in the pelvis or legs, and is characterized by leg pain, usually while walking or exercising. In more serious cases, PAD can result in permanent damage to the … Read More

Why It’s Important to Know Your Lipid Profile

Apr 12, 2017 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

Over the years, you’ve probably heard a lot about cholesterol. There’s “good” cholesterol, and “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides, and they all need to be at the proper balance to keep your heart healthy. But what exactly does that mean? The combination of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, total cholesterol … Read More

Ask the Doctor: Pre-Hypertension; “Off Label” Medications; Popping Sound in Knees

Apr 12, 2017 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

Q: My blood pressure lately has been at or around 126/64. The systolic (top) number puts me in the “pre-hypertensive” range, but the diastolic (bottom) number seems okay. How should I interpret those numbers? A: Based on current guidelines, your blood pressure is at the low end the “prehypertensive” range, … Read More

Ask the Doctor: Cardiac Rehab Under Medicare; Hearing Loss & AD; Whole Grains & Diabetes

Mar 30, 2017 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

Q: I understand that Medicare covers up to 36 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation, and longer if necessary. How do you know how much cardiac rehab you’ll need? A: Cardiac rehabilitation (or rehab, for short) is an exercise-training program that seeks to improve your physical condition after you go through heart … Read More

Should You Try to Raise Your HDL?

Mar 29, 2017 · Matthew Solan · Heart Health

For many years, the formula for better heart health has included measures to reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol while at the same time increasing the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in their circulating blood. And while a high level of LDL—the so-called “bad” cholesterol—continues to be … Read More

Newsbriefs: Yoga for Pulmonary Hypertension; Lowering Your BMI; Diabetes & Depression

Mar 29, 2017 · Matthew Solan · Heart Health

New yoga program may help pulmonary hypertension patients People who live with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a chronic lung disease, may find relief in a new yoga exercise routine called Yoga for PH. PH is high blood pressure in the lungs. The lungs’ blood vessels become narrow and the heart has … Read More

Positive Socializing Can Lower Your Risk of High Blood Pressure

Mar 29, 2017 · Matthew Solan · Heart Health

If you want to keep your heart healthy then be careful how you socialize. New research from Carnegie Mellon University published in the American Psychological Association’s journal, Health Psychology (May 2014), found that unpleasant or demanding personal encounters can increase the risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure, among older … Read More

How the New BP Guidelines Affect You

Mar 29, 2017 · Matthew Solan · Heart Health

The new blood pressure (BP) guidelines issued this year have many seniors wondering if they need to continue their medication. The guidelines, published in a Journal of the American Medical Association report, raised the systolic BP (the top number of the BP reading) for high blood pressure for anyone age … Read More

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