Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Blood pressure machine kiosks are a fast, easy and cost-free way to monitor your blood pressure. But are they accurate? As with many things in life, the answer is, “It depends.” But before we expand on that, let’s talk about why people use these convenient devices and how they can be helpful. Why Do Blood Pressure Monitoring Kiosks Exist? If you have a risk of high blood pressure or have this condition, you probably already know it is important to monitor it. After all, many people refer to high blood pressure as the “silent killer” because it has no noticeable…

Heart attacks often don’t send warning signs. So, when people suddenly and unexpectedly feel symptoms, they think, “This can’t be happening! I’m … As the American Heart Association warns, “Don’t die of doubt.” If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911. It Helps to Learn Heart Attack Symptoms Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack can help you be prepared and act more quickly. Symptoms may differ in men and women, but the most common signs of a heart attack are: Sometimes, women don’t experience these “classic” symptoms, said Benjamin Peterson, MD, MPH, an…

When it’s time for your annual primary care provider visit, one health value they’re likely checking is your cholesterol levels. So, you probably already know that keeping your cholesterol levels within range is essential for your overall health. It’s important that you have the facts on cholesterol. Here, Kevin Miller, MD, a Cardiologist at the Florence Wormald Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth, debunks some common myths about cholesterol. Myth #1: All cholesterol is bad There are two types of cholesterol: You should strive to keep your HDL cholesterol level as high as possible and your LDL cholesterol level…

When it comes to high blood pressure, ignorance isn’t bliss. In fact, not knowing could kill you. That’s because high blood pressure (hypertension) has few noticeable symptoms. Left untreated, it can damage your kidneys, heart and other organs before you even realize you have it. The good news is by understanding your risk of high blood pressure and taking steps to lower those risks, you can enjoy better health now and in the future. What is High Blood Pressure? Normal blood pressure allows your heart to pump blood to every organ system in your body. High blood pressure happens when…

Conversations about heart disease typically prompt images of male patients. But heart problems are a major concern for women, too. Nationwide, over 60 million women have some form of heart disease. It contributed to one in five female deaths in 2021, but few women are aware of the dangers.   This is particularly true with Hispanic women. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), only one in three Hispanic women know heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women across the country. If you’re a Hispanic woman, knowing how heart disease may affect you is important because you could…

Most of us are familiar with hypertension (high blood pressure). But fewer people know about a condition called hypotension, or low blood pressure. Symptoms can be scary, but doctors can help you treat hypotension. Here’s what you need to know. Two Types of Hypotension Blood pressure measures the rate at which blood pumps through your body. A normal, healthy range for blood pressure is a reading of 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). When you have a lower reading, it can indicate one of two types of hypotension. Who’s at Risk for Hypotension “Hypotension can affect people of any age…

You may have heard about the Mediterranean diet – or you may even know a friend or family member who’s following it. Have you wondered what all the buzz is about? We recently sat down with Amaninderapal Ghotra, MD, a Cardiologist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, to dive into the details of this heart-protective lifestyle and diet. What is the Mediterranean Diet? The diet is based on how people around the Mediterranean Sea–especially in Greece and Crete–have eaten for hundreds of years. “People noticed that those living in a Mediterranean area have a much lower incidence of chronic health conditions,” explains…

A common misconception about stress is that it is “all in your head.” Ignore it, and the stress will go away. Not true. Stress is the body’s natural response to events or challenges that make us anxious, worried or scared. Everyone’s stressors are different and can change with age. Relationships, health, loss, grief, work and financial troubles can all cause stress. Stress can bring on physical symptoms like stomach pain, headache, sleeplessness, forgetfulness, appetite loss and more. It can affect your heart health and even, in extreme cases, make you feel as if you’re having a heart attack. The Body’s…

Vaping (using e-cigarettes) is actually no safer than smoking. It’s a public health emergency that affects more than your lungs. Vaping also significantly increases your risk for heart and vascular disease. So, if you’re vaping, it’s time to ditch e-cigarettes. Here’s what you need to know. What Is a Vaping Device (E-cigarette)? A standard e-cigarette device holds a cartridge with approximately 2 milliliters of vaping liquid. You can easily hide or disguise these devices to look like an everyday item. They contain a variety of flammable liquids, including up to 40 milligrams of nicotine. Although scientists have studied nicotine, they…

Many medications that help prevent or treat heart disease date back to ancient times, including aspirin and Digitalis. The blood thinner warfarin was first used for sick cattle in Canada. And a common cholesterol-lowering drug called lovastatin occurs naturally in oyster mushrooms, as a Japanese scientist discovered in 1970. Today scientists continue to develop safer, more effective medications for people with heart disease. These drugs can save your life and taking them safely is essential. We talked to Katy Miller, a Pharmacist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, about why people need to understand their medications and how to avoid common mistakes.…