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Understanding Atherosclerosis: What You Need to Know From the Cross County Cardiology Education Team

At Cross County Cardiology, we’re committed to keeping you informed about your heart health. Today, we’re diving into an important topic: atherosclerosis. Often referred to as the "hardening of the arteries," this condition can sneak up on you, but with the right knowledge and proactive steps, you can manage it and reduce your risks.

What Is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a gradual process where plaque—a mix of cholesterol, fatty substances, and cellular waste—builds up inside your arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow or block your arteries, limiting blood flow to your heart and other parts of your body. If left unchecked, this can lead to serious complications, including heart attacks and strokes.

How Does It Happen?

The process of atherosclerosis involves your body’s immune system. Here’s how it works:

  • Risk factors like high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, or high blood pressure cause damage to your artery walls.
  • Cholesterol enters the artery walls, triggering your immune system to react as if fighting an infection.
  • This response leads to even more plaque build-up, narrowing your arteries and making it harder for blood to flow.

The Numbers Speak Volumes

The statistics around atherosclerosis are a wake-up call.

  • 85.6 million Americans live with cardiovascular disease or have experienced a stroke.
  • 98.6 million American adults have high cholesterol, which puts them at risk for atherosclerosis.

Early Detection Is Key

You don’t have to wait for symptoms to take action. Here’s how to stay on top of your heart health:

  • Monitor your cholesterol levels regularly.
  • Consider medications like statins, which can help manage high cholesterol.
  • Make lifestyle changes: Exercise, eat a heart-healthy diet, and avoid smoking.

Symptoms to Watch For

If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s time to see a doctor:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

How Is Atherosclerosis Diagnosed?

There are several ways your doctor can confirm whether you have atherosclerosis:

  • Stress testing: This checks how well your heart performs under physical stress.
  • Cardiac catheterization: This test provides a detailed look at how well your arteries are functioning.

Take Action for Your Heart Health

Fighting atherosclerosis is about being proactive. Here’s what you can do:

  • Stay informed and recognize the signs.
  • Follow your doctor’s advice and take prescribed medications.
  • Stick to a heart-healthy lifestyle—it’s your best defense.

At Cross County Cardiology, we’re here to support you in managing atherosclerosis and other heart conditions. Prevention is always better than cure, and it starts with staying educated.

Ready to take control of your heart health? We’re here to help every step of the way.

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Understanding Cold Weather and Heart Health: Key Insights for Winter Wellness

As winter approaches, a recent study from Sweden brings new insights on how cold weather can influence heart health, specifically by increasing the risk of heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions (MIs). Presented at the ESC Congress 2024 in London and published in JACC, this study highlights the need for increased awareness and preventative care as climate changes contribute to colder, more unpredictable weather patterns.

Cold Weather and Heart Attack Risk: What’s the Connection?

The Swedish study analyzed 120,380 heart attack cases occurring between October and March, observing how temperature drops and cold spells — defined as two or more consecutive days with below-average temperatures — significantly increased MI risks. Notably, there’s a delayed effect, with heart attack risks peaking two to six days after exposure to extreme cold. These findings align with other research from Finland, Germany, China, and Vietnam, further solidifying the connection between cold temperatures and cardiovascular strain.

Why Cold Increases Heart Strain

When temperatures drop, our bodies naturally respond by constricting blood vessels to conserve heat, increasing blood pressure and potentially straining the heart. Cold also raises levels of inflammation and certain clotting factors, which can raise MI risks. According to the study’s authors, protections against cold-induced cardiac risks, especially for those with pre-existing heart conditions, may become increasingly crucial in regions facing colder winters due to shifting climate patterns.

Protecting Your Heart This Winter

The study emphasizes the importance of protective measures for vulnerable individuals, such as elderly people and those with heart disease. Cardiologists recommend staying warm, maintaining regular exercise indoors, and scheduling check-ups to monitor heart health throughout the colder months.

At Cross County Cardiology, we believe in proactive, preventive care, and encourage patients to discuss any concerns about winter health risks with their healthcare provider. Early interventions can help mitigate cold-related cardiovascular risks and support long-term wellness.

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Accurate Home-Based Blood Pressure Monitoring: Your Key to Managing HypertensionFrom the Cross County Cardiology Education Team

 
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Understanding Heart Failure: What You Need to KnowFrom the Cross County Cardiology Education Team

When we talk about heart health, one condition that often causes confusion is heart failure. Don’t let the term alarm you—heart failure doesn’t mean that your heart has stopped working! Instead, it means that the heart isn’t functioning as efficiently as it should. With over 26 million people affected worldwide, heart failure is a common condition, but one that’s often misunderstood. Let’s clear up some of those myths and bring some clarity.

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Managing AFib: How Pulsed Field Ablation Can Help Restore Your Heart's Rhythm Brought to you by the Cross County Cardiology Education Team

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a condition that affects around 2.7 million Americans. It’s a type of irregular heartbeat, often too fast, that can cause symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and palpitations. Left untreated, AFib can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and even dementia. Medications don’t always work for this condition, so doctors may recommend a procedure called catheter ablation to help restore a normal heart rhythm.

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The Mediterranean Diet: A Heart-Healthy Choice for Kids and Teens

Greetings from the Cross County Cardiology Education Team!

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Cholesterol Could Be the Link Between Menopause and Heart Disease From the Cross County Cardiology Education Team

A recent study published by HealthDay sheds new light on the relationship between cholesterol levels, menopause, and heart disease. As women enter menopause, they experience significant hormonal changes that may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease. One of the key factors identified in this study is a rise in cholesterol levels, which is now believed to play a major role in linking menopause to cardiovascular health concerns.

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Understanding Heart Valves: Stenosis and Regurgitation From the Cross County Cardiology Education Team

Your heart is a remarkable machine with four essential valves—tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, and aortic—working around the clock to keep blood flowing in the right direction. But when these valves aren't functioning properly, conditions like stenosis and regurgitation can develop, leading to potential health issues.

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Understanding the Impact of Positive Airway Pressure Termination on Cardiovascular HealthFrom the Cross County Cardiology Education Team

A recent study published in Thorax has raised important concerns about the impact of discontinuing positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The study, titled "Association of positive airway pressure termination with mortality and non-fatal cardiovascular events in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea," explores the potential risks involved when patients with OSA stop using PAP therapy. At Cross County Cardiology, we believe it’s vital for patients and healthcare providers to understand these findings, as they highlight critical implications for managing OSA and its cardiovascular risks.

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How Mental Health Impacts Heart Health in Younger Women

Greetings from the Cross County Education Team!

We care about your overall health, and that includes your mental well-being. Recent research has shown that anxiety and depression can significantly impact heart health, especially in younger women.

If you’re under 50 and experiencing anxiety or depression, you may be nearly twice as likely to develop conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes over the next decade. These risk factors, which traditionally affected older adults, now pose a considerable threat to younger women as well.

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