Photo by Pavel Danilyuk: (Pexels.com) Assumptions and myths about aging abound. Not surprisingly for myths, they distort and misconceive how older age will affect us. As we age, it's important to understand and embrace the seemingly endless positive aspects of aging. Research has shown that you can help preserve your...
Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash Sleep-related difficulties affect many people. The medical science around sleep and sleep health has evolved over the past four decades, and more than 100 specific sleep disorders have been identified. Today’s medical scientists categorize these disorders based on causes, symptoms, physiological and psychological effects, among...
Adobe Stock Lic. Img#402561309 Most people don’t think about sleep hygiene (the activities in which you engage prior to sleep). But if you've found yourself tossing and turning all night, exhausted the next day, always yawning and sluggish, the bad news is that there may be myriad reasons why your...
Photo: Maglara - Adobe #134967693 (Std. Lic) In my visits with patients, the subject of sleep (now known as “sleep hygiene”) has come up many times. The rituals that we engage in often determine the quality of our sleep, and future blogs will address this. One of the pieces of...
Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash We've written posts on this blog about the benefits of coffee not only to cardio-health, but overall health, longevity, and cognitive function. Now again, a new study has surfaced with more evidence to support this trend. According to new research published in the European Journal...
Photo by Sebastian Radu on Unsplash Teenagers whose parents are smokers are 55% more likely to try e-cigarettes, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in Barcelona, Spain. In a large study of Irish teenagers, the researchers have also found that the proportion who have tried...
Photo by Lesia on Unsplash How does the risk of developing cancer change after alcohol consumption is increased, stopped, or reduced? Findings In a new study of over 4 million adults in Korea, those who increased their alcohol consumption had a higher risk for alcohol-related cancers and all cancers compared...
Photo by Konstiantyn Zapylaie / Adobe Stock #216165265 With the advent of legalization, we are just starting to gain insight into the safety of marijuana use. Over the past decade, marijuana use, both recreational and medicinal, has grown as state governments across the U.S. have legalized its use. But while...
Photo by CDC on Unsplash The FDA has authorized Covid booster shots that target the omicron BA.5 subvariant as the U.S. prepares for another surge of infections this fall and winter. It's the first time the FDA has authorized an updated vaccine formula since the original shots rolled out in...
Photo by Element 5 Digital on Unsplash In my first year of practice as a cardiac electrophysiologist, I have spent a significant amount of time educating patients about atrial fibrillation (AFib). My biggest challenge has been in the outpatient setting where patients are often uninformed about their AFib diagnosis, unaware...
Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash For JAMA Patient PageBy: Jill Jin, MD, MPH The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recently published recommendations about the use of vitamins, minerals, and multivitamins to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. What Are Vitamins and Minerals? Vitamins (vitamins A, C, D, E,...
Photo by dream@do / Adobe Stock #200451346 Five childhood risk factors, individually or combined, have been identified as predictors of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events in adulthood. Body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol level, triglyceride level, and youth smoking. These five risk factors in childhood can increase the...
Photo by Elisa Ventur on Unsplash From Jacqueline Hargrove, Ph.D.Some stress is part of everyone’s life. But there are times when the daily demands of the job or school, the complications of home life, the pressure of living in the New York metropolitan area, and the state of the world,...
Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash Imagine watching “The Batman” movie back-to-back four times every day or driving a whopping 390 miles each way on a daily commute. Either uncomfortable choice will take about 12 hours — or the same amount of time most Americans stay seated throughout any day. ...
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash Study underscores the brain’s role in deriving cardiovascular benefits from physical activity Researchers analyzed the health records of more than 50,000 patients, around 4,000 of whom suffered a significant heart-related event They assessed through a questionnaire the rate of coronary events in people who...
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash 2 Servings of Avocado per Week May Cut Heart Disease Risk by 16%. New research finds that two servings of avocado a week may reduce cardiovascular risk. Researchers examined the relationship between avocado consumption and cardiovascular events. They found that eating 2 or more servings...
Photo by Dmitri Karastelev on Unsplash Replacing margarine, butter, mayonnaise, and dairy fat with olive oil was associated with a lower mortality risk.Consuming more than 7 grams (>1/2 tablespoon) of olive oil per day is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, cancer mortality, neurodegenerative disease mortality, and...
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash UCSF Cardiology Researchers Report No Link Between Coffee Consumption and Arrhythmias In the largest study of its kind, an investigation by UC San Francisco has found no evidence that moderate coffee consumption can cause cardiac arrhythmias. In fact, each additional daily cup of...
Photo by Yutacar on Unsplash Alcohol May Kindle Atrial Fibrillation, a Major Killer that Often Leads to Stroke Mardi Gras, Saturday nights, Super Bowl Sunday, and other days when more people consume more alcohol are also associated with more emergency room visits for atrial fibrillation, reported a new study led...
Photo by Monstar Studio / Adobe Stock #278493445 No one food is a magic bullet, and no one food will doom you. The reality is that most people eat both good and bad foods. Yet, even those of us not obsessed with eating a wholesome, balanced diet for every meal,...
Photo by Anupam Mahapatra on Unsplash You may know that vasovagal syncope is fainting caused by stressful triggers that can lead to sudden drops in blood pressure and heart rate. In patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope, yoga as adjunctive therapy was superior to standard therapy only for reducing the symptomatic...
Photo by Eric Ward on Unsplash If you have a pet, you already know the joy and love they can bring to your life. Now science is confirming just how good they really are for you — both mentally and physically. One theory is that pets boost our oxytocin levels. Also known...
Photo by Isabela Kronemberger on Unsplash The holidays are full of gifts, parties, festive meals, and twinkling lights. Unfortunately, there are also awkward encounters with friends, family, or coworkers. Sometimes those folks comment on our bodies, or our food choices, in ways that make us feel uncomfortable. Sometimes they insist...
Photo by Abstral Official on Unsplash From bad sleep to stress to your diet... It really can hurt your heart and wreck your health. There is good news and bad news when it comes to your risk of developing heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the...
Photo by CDC on Unsplash The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Monday, Nov. 29, that everyone over the age of 18 should get a booster shot. From the CDC: Choosing Your COVID-19 Booster Shot You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster...
Photo by Татьяна Креминская / Adobe Stock #316603964 Popular diet trend could reduce the risk of diabetes and heart diseaseEating your daily calories within a consistent window of 8-10 hours is a powerful strategy to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, according to a new...
Photo by Patrick Schneider on Unsplash Everyone can feel anxious now and then. From tense social situations that make your stomach clench to the nervous sweat some may get going into a dentist or visiting the doctor, in the current culture, there are many situations where we can expect that...
Photo by Grav on Unsplash A history of myocardial infarction was more frequently reported among young adults who recently used cannabis compared with those who did not use the substance, a cross-sectional study showed. Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that such marijuana users were nearly...
Photo by Mariana Montes de Oca on Unsplash Eating nutritious, plant-based foods is downright heart-healthy according to two research studies published this month in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Both studies analyzed healthy plant food consumption, and researchers found that both young adults and postmenopausal women who ate more...
COVID 19 Vaccine Booster Update Booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, September 24—only for certain people age 18 years and older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine more than six months ago.The CDC says these groups should get the...
A new study published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology, suggests that consuming lignans may lead to a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The authors explain that lignans, polyphenolic substances, are found in plant-based foods such as seeds, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, tea, and coffee. The...
Photo by Sean Benesh on Unsplash Cycling is fantastic exercise, benefiting your overall health and fitness. As a regular activity, cycling can be exceptionally good for cardiovascular fitness, as well as toning muscles, improving physique, and boosting body image. And it can help to improve muscle tone and strength, especially...
Photo by CDC on Unsplash With the recent explosion of vaping, adolescents are among those most vulnerable to its siren call. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is especially harmful to a young person's developing mind because it can harm the part of the brain responsible for memory, attention, and learning....
Photo by Jacopo Maia on Unsplash Findings from a new observational study show that eating 2 fruit and 3 vegetable servings per day is associated with a lower risk of death related to cancer, cardiovascular disease, or respiratory disease. Starchy vegetables and fruit juices, however, did not appear to contribute...
Photo by Nhia Moua on Unsplash New research out of Harvard helping us further understand the link between positive emotions and good health. It's shedding more light on often-asked questions like: Can a more optimistic outlook mean less heart disease? Can hope protect against hypertension? Do happier people live longer?...
Photo by Mat Napo on Unsplash New Yorkers in Phase 1a & 1b ARE NOW eligible,those groups include the following: Age 65 and older A patient in a Nursing home regulated by the NYS Department of Health (DOH). Residential program or hospital certified or operated by the NYS Office of...
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash 'Tis the season of giving and receiving, holiday gatherings and overindulgences. The combination can create what Dr. Philip Ettinger described as "Holiday heart syndrome" (HHS) for the first time in 1978. It's one explanation for the sudden increase in emergency room visits during the...
Photo by Drazen / Adobe Stock #352329338 While wearing a face mask during a workout is not the most comfortable experience, two new studies out this month indicate that a mask won't be detrimental to your breathing during your activity. A recent University of Saskatchewan study has found that exercise...
Photo by Alvin Balemesa on Unsplash A new study of older adults shows how making some lifestyle changes such as changing diet and increasing physical activity can lower the risk of dementia, even if the person already has been diagnosed with and is experiencing cognitive decline. The term dementia describes...
Findings Underscore Need to Get a Flu Shot Early, Lead Researcher Says. People with heart disease and those who have had a stroke are at higher risk for developing serious complications from the flu. If you're in that group, it is especially important that you get a flu vaccine every...
COVID-19 lockdowns are easing across the U.S., and there is a lot to process as these restrictions begin to end and transition. What is the new safe? Can we return to the gym? Can we schedule regular medical appointments again? What should we include on our post-quarantine list of health...
Photo by Nathan Van de Graaf on Unsplash. It’s a beautiful, sunny morning, and spring is in the air. There should be a bounce to your step as you prepare to decamp from your home, meet your friends for coffee, head into the office, and begin another wonderful day. But...
Photo by Sherise Van Dyk on Unsplash There is new research out that suggests that first-time marathon runners could help reduce their vascular age — the age of one’s arteries — by up to four years. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073510971938369X?via%3Dihub) The study's purpose was to determine whether the rigorous training for a first-time...
Photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash A recent NY Times article cited a number of recent long-term studies that linked greater optimism to a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other chronic ailments, and to fostering "exceptional longevity." (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/well/mind/optimism-health-longevity.html) Optimism, the psychological attribute characterized as the general expectation that...
Photo by Elsa Olofsson on Unsplash It's turning out that cannabis may not be the panacea many once had professed it to be. While recreational consumption still appears to have a fairly low level of health risk for the average person, a new study suggests that there's a potential cardiovascular...
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash In 2017, Stanford University researchers began a study sponsored by Apple that looked at the effectiveness of cardiac apps installed in the Apple Watch. Last month, those researchers published their paper in the New England Journal of Medicine. Previously, though, they had released the study's...
Photo by Aleksandr Popov on Unsplash A Rarely Mentioned Yet Controllable Risk Factor One of the least mentioned factors that can contribute to heart disease is sleep. There are several risk factors that people can’t control such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and family history. Of the risk factors that people...
Sitting while working is the most commonly overlooked sitting most people do. Sitting for long periods is a near daily occurrence for millions of people in modern society due to office jobs and other lifestyle circumstances. Sadly, this situation does not feed into your hopes of promoting good health. On...
Photo by Gabin Vallet on Unsplash Staying active is one of the best ways to keep our bodies healthy. Most Americans don’t get enough exercise and, therefore, don’t reap the health benefits. In addition to helping prevent heart disease, exercise is known to reduce stress and improve sleep, energy level,...
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash Focus on the positives. Write them down, and review the list. You will undoubtedly find that you have much to be grateful for, and you will smile. Hello, and welcome to my blog. With a new website, and new office (soon), and the fact...
