The influence of stress on heart health has for a long time been a piece of the cardiology puzzle that is often overlooked. Now more than ever, medical professionals are recognizing the complex way stress interacts with cardiology and, consequently, the necessity to manage stress in patients with cardiac conditions.
Introduction from the Cross County Cardiology Education Team:
As temperatures rise, it’s crucial to understand how certain medications can impact your ability to stay cool and hydrated. At Cross County Cardiology, we are dedicated to ensuring our patients have the information they need to stay safe during extreme weather conditions. Certain medications, including those for mental health, high blood pressure, and allergies, can increase your susceptibility to heat-related illnesses. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself during heat waves.
Key Points:
Certain medications, including some for mental health, high blood pressure, and allergies, can make it harder for your body to stay cool and hydrated during heat waves. Here's what you need to know to stay safe.
Medications That Raise Risk:
Diuretics (Water Pills): Used for heart failure, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, they increase urination, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, making it harder to regulate body temperature.
ACE Inhibitors: Commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, these can increase the risk of fainting and suppress thirst, making it hard to know when to drink more water.
Beta Blockers: Another type of blood pressure medication that can cause fainting and make it difficult to sweat, hindering the body's cooling process.
Calcium Channel Blockers: These can cause electrolyte imbalances, affecting body temperature regulation.
Antipsychotics: Medications like haloperidol, olanzapine, and risperidone can impair your ability to sweat, increasing body temperature.
Antidepressants: Some increase sweating and suppress thirst, leading to dehydration during heat waves.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement: These can raise body temperature and cause excessive sweating.
Stimulants for ADHD: Drugs like amphetamines can raise body temperature by affecting the central nervous system.
Over-the-Counter Antihistamines: Medications like Benadryl and Unisom can reduce sweating and impair temperature regulation.
How to Stay Safe in Extreme Heat:
Know the Signs of Heat-Related Illness:
Stay Indoors: Try to stay in air-conditioned places. If you don't have air conditioning, go to a cooling center like a library.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes with sports drinks or fruits and leafy greens. If outside, drink 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes.
Dress Appropriately: Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing that reflects the sun. Avoid being outside during the hottest parts of the day; early morning or late evening is best.
Opinion from the Cross County Cardiology Education Team:
It's essential to be aware of how your medications can affect your body's ability to cope with extreme heat. If you're on any of these medications, take extra precautions to stay cool and hydrated. Understanding the risks and taking proactive steps can help prevent heat-related illnesses. Always consult with your healthcare provider for advice tailored to your specific situation.
Stay informed and stay safe! For more detailed information,
check out the original New York Times article: Click here
It's an all too common scenario - you walk into the doctor's office for a routine check-up and end up getting drawn into a conversation about your family history. You speak of your lineage's battle with coronary heart disease and, you fear, your imminent part in the narrative. Fear not! Dr. Kevin Soriano, a distinguished interventional cardiologist at Cross County Cardiology, is here to ease that anxiety with factual information and count a popular myth.
The all-prevailing myth that Coronary Heart Disease is entirely dictated by genetics is simply that - a myth. Of course, Dr. Soriano acknowledges that genetics play a significant role in the development of heart and coronary artery disease. However, it is not the entire narrative; it is not an unavoidable destiny. It doesn't end there!
The good news is that even those with a strong genetic predisposition for coronary artery disease can actively avoid becoming a candidate for it. How? Enter, a healthy lifestyle. Forging a simple and effective triad of regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and keeping your cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight in check can significantly decrease your chances of developing coronary artery disease.
So, no matter how much you feel your genetics are stacked against you, remember, you are not predestined to suffer from coronary artery disease. You have the power to change the narrative. Arm yourself with the right information and take charge of your heart health today!
Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have regarding your heart health.
August 8, 2024
Hello and welcome to our blog. Let us dive right into a condition that affects many but is widely misunderstood- peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Let us lend you some insights from Dr. Rick Pumill, a renowned cardiologist from Cross County Cardiology, to help decode this medical condition.
Peripheral Vascular Disease is essentially blockage of arteries, primarily affecting the legs and in some cases, the neck. The main manifestation of this disease is a condition known as claudication. Claudication often presents as a tightening sensation in your calves while walking. This forces the individual to pause and rest, until the discomfort lessens enough to start moving again.
The real challenge arises in accurately diagnosing PVD. This is because the symptoms can be confused with the aftermath of a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Although the presentation is similar, the cause behind the discomfort is different, resulting in varied treatment methods.
Risk factors associated with peripheral vascular disease are akin to those contributing to heart disease. This includes tobacco usage, a history of the disease in the family, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, diabetes etc. These factors increase the likelihood of arterial blockage.
As we level up in our pursuit of achieving optimum heart health, our practice at Cross County Cardiology wants to shed light on some misleading information surrounding this journey. Countless pagans of the internet cite alternative therapies as the new miracle for all heart-related ailments. Let us debunk some of these myths, and emphasize the importance of individualized care.
One common misconception is that stress reduction techniques do not significantly impact our heart health. Let us say this loud and clear: this belief is entirely false. The body's secretion of specific hormones, such as cortisol, under stress can have serious damaging effects on the heart, similar to the impact of sleep deprivation. So, what's the bottom line? Stress management and maintaining a mentally healthy lifestyle are crucial components of heart health.
Moreover, the belief that dietary supplements alone can prevent heart disease is another myth that needs debunking. While some dietary supplements can support heart health, relying exclusively on them can not guarantee a heart disease-free life. In fact, certain supplements are known contributors to heart diseases. Therefore, it becomes crucial to understand the pluses and minuses of whatever protocols we follow.
At Cross County Cardiology, we believe strongly in individualized care. A one-size-fits-all approach does not apply when it comes to caring for your heart. To ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients, we tailor our recommendations to the individual, taking into account their unique needs, health status, and lifestyle.
Stay tuned for more valuable advice, recommendations, and debunking myths, exclusively from your trusted team at Cross County Cardiology.
BTW - check out our very own Dr. Chris Pumill's IG video reel discussing this very important topic, click here.
Hello community,
Welcome back to our blog. Today, we are taking a deep dive into a critical diagnostic tool that helps us understand our heart better - the EKG.
What is an EKG?
EKG, or electrocardiogram, is a crucial test in cardiology. It allows us to monitor the electrical activity of the heart and uncover issues that might be lurking under the surface.
How is an EKG Performed?
Performing an EKG is straightforward. Electrodes are attached to the arms, legs, and across the chest to monitor the heart's electrical patterns. This painless and non-invasive procedure can provide crucial information about your heart's health.
What Can An EKG Tell You About Your Heart?
The heart's electrical signals tell a story about its health and functionality. Any disruption in these electrical patterns could indicate a problem.
• Heart Attack: After a heart attack, the heart develops scar tissues, which cause a shift in the heart's electrical activity, thus evident in the EKG reading.
• Bundle Branch Block: Abnormal EKG shows a unique electrical pattern that differs significantly from a standard EKG.
• Electrolyte Abnormalities: Disturbances in the body's electrolyte balance can also affect the heart's electrical activity, visible on an EKG.
• Hereditary Abnormalities: Certain inherited conditions like Brugada Syndrome or Long QT Syndrome can be predicted with an EKG.
Bear in mind, interpreting an EKG requires expert knowledge. While computer readings might flag an anomaly, it doesn't always signal a problem with your heart. These systems are designed to be highly sensitive to prevent any miss, but they can also trigger undue anxiety.
Many of us may not be familiar with the term endocarditis but, as Dr. Rick Pumill, renowned Cardiologist, explains, it refers to a heart or heart valve infection - a condition that can be quite catastrophic if not diagnosed and treated promptly. While many medical sites cover the basics of this condition, this article will delve into the unseen depths, offering a unique perspective by involving comprehensive statistics and other vital information.
Study Reviewed by the Cross County Cardiology Education Team
Introduction Treating high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) during pregnancy can help prevent serious health problems for both the mother and baby. This blog post will look at how common high blood pressure is during pregnancy and how it has been treated over the years, especially after new guidelines were introduced in 2017 by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
Study Methods Researchers used data from insurance claims in the United States from 2007 to 2021. They looked at how many pregnant women had high blood pressure and which medicines were used to treat it.
Key Findings
Increase in High Blood Pressure: From 2008 to 2021, the number of pregnant women with high blood pressure went up from 1.8% to 3.7%. This means that out of nearly 2 million pregnancies, more women were dealing with this condition over the years.
Stable Treatment Rates: Around 57% to 60% of pregnant women with high blood pressure were given medication during this time. This percentage didn’t change much over the years.
Changes in Medication: The types of medicines used changed a lot:
Impact of 2017 Guidelines: The new 2017 guidelines didn’t change how many women had high blood pressure or how it was treated.
Conclusion The number of pregnant women with high blood pressure has doubled from 2008 to 2021. Labetalol has become the most commonly used medicine instead of methyldopa. However, only about 60% of women with high blood pressure during pregnancy are treated with medication.
Final Thoughts Managing high blood pressure during pregnancy is crucial for the health of both mother and baby. It's important to stay informed about the best practices and treatments available.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Cross County Cardiology Education Team!
Hello, Cross County Cardiology community!
We often hear tips about staying hydrated and moving around during long flights, but there's another important factor to consider for your heart health: avoiding alcohol before sleeping on a plane. A recent study by German researchers highlights the potential health risks associated with this common practice, even for young and healthy individuals.
While the study observed these effects in young and healthy participants, the risks are even higher for older adults and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. The researchers emphasized that higher doses of alcohol could further amplify these risks, potentially leading to serious health complications or medical emergencies during the flight.
The researchers recommend avoiding alcohol during flights to maintain better oxygen levels in your blood, keep your heart rate stable, and ensure a higher quality of sleep. They also suggest that airlines consider restricting the inflight consumption of alcoholic beverages to promote passenger health and safety.
At Cross County Cardiology, we always emphasize the importance of heart health, whether you're on the ground or in the air. The findings of this study remind us that simple choices, like avoiding alcohol before sleeping on a flight, can make a big difference in maintaining your cardiovascular health.
Remember, your heart works hard every day, and taking care of it is essential no matter where you are. Stay hydrated, move around during long flights, and consider skipping that pre-sleep drink to ensure a healthier and safer journey.
Stay heart-healthy, and safe travels!
#HeartHealth #TravelTips #Cardiology #HealthyFlying #CrossCountyCardiology 💙🛫
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Best,
The Cross County Cardiology Education Team
