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.

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.

Greetings 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.

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.

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.

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.

Hello, from the Cross County Cardiology Education Team! 👋

At Cross County Cardiology, our Education Team is committed to providing the latest insights on heart health, especially for those entering their golden years. As pioneering research continues to evolve, so does our approach to cardiac care. Today, it’s not just about treating heart disease after it strikes—it’s about preventing it in the first place.

A reputable physician, Dr. Rick Pumill, with three decades of esteemed service dealing with heart diseases, particularly atrial fibrillation, points out a frequently overlooked potential trigger for this irregular heart rhythm: sleep apnea.