If you think of stretched and bulging veins when asked for your family’s medical history, you may begin to become concerned that varicose veins are hereditary. Varicose veins are veins that swell when the vein’s valves leak, causing blood to flow backward and pool in the vein. The vein walls weaken and stretch.
Workers caught up in the rat race take only half the vacation time they have earned. While there is nothing wrong with working hard, it is important to remember the benefits of rest.
They say dogs are man’s best friend. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a dog, but dogs can literally heal the heart. According to the American Heart Association, owning a dog decreases the risk of heart disease.
Dementia includes multiple symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities. 1 in 6 women and 1 in 10 men over 55 years of age will develop dementia in their lifetime. It may come as a surprise that the heart has a direct effect on brain health. Vascular issues cause 1 in 3 cases of dementia.
The number of hospitalizations and deaths related to energy drinks is on the rise. Although most contain caffeine and sugar similar to drinks like soda, there are additional unhealthy ingredients in energy drinks. Specialized “energy blends” are herbs and chemicals that may include ginseng, taurine, B vitamins, among others. The effects of these ingredients on cardiovascular health is unknown.
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is disrupted. Without blood, the heart is deprived of oxygen and nutrients and ceases to properly function. Heart attacks may be sudden and intense but can also be a slow process with minimal pain. It is important to know the symptoms and warning signs of a heart attack and to act quickly to save a life.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when the force of blood pumping against the walls of blood vessels is consistently too high. The circulatory system, consisting of the heart and network of blood vessels, carries blood to and from tissues and organs. The two numbers on a blood pressure reading are systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure occurs when blood pumps out of the heart. Diastolic pressure is the measurement of the heart as it rests between beats.
With over 500 brands on the market, energy drinks have grown in popularity as physical and mental performance boosters. However, before reaching for an energy drink for a pick-me-up or an after exercise refresher, consider that it may not be healthy, especially for your heart.
At the end of the year, you may ask yourself which habits you want to take with you and which habits you want to leave behind. As you enter the new year, bring some resolutions for a healthy heart with you.
One of the best parts of the holidays is enjoying festive foods. Year after year, we overindulge, gain holiday weight, and promise ourselves to lose it in the new year. Do not waste your New Year’s resolution on holiday weight. Dedicate yourself to eating healthy for your heart and your body this holiday with these easy tips.
