heart
Doctor In Your House: Aspirin: help or hindrance?
Aspirin comes was discovered in 1850 and is derived from the bark of Willow trees. Let’s navigate a few important studies together so we can understand why aspirin may be useful to you. This drug is perhaps the most powerful drug known to man. It …
Doctor In Your House: Mediterranean Diet lowers rates of adverse cardiovascular events
Whether you are in your physician's office or seated at the dinner table, many of our dietary discussions include the Mediterranean diet. This diet has been in the news lately because it appears to be beneficial to human health. In a primary prevention trial, the …
Evanston doc says patients more pro-active about health care
Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer in the United States — for both men and women — according to the American Heart Association. However, it's not all bad news. Chicago-area health experts share what they see happening in the region.
Walking program improves stroke survivors’ lives
Regular, brisk walking after having a stroke could help boost your physical fitness, mobility and quality of life, according to research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.
8 serious signs of serious trouble
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 935,000 Americans have a heart attack every year. Of these, 610,000 are a first heart attack. Furthermore, the CDC reports that someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds. Here are eight symptoms you should not ignore as they may be a sign of a heart attack or stroke.
Northwestern among the first to implant defibrillator
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart suddenly stops pumping blood. Rapid treatment of SCA by using an implantable defibrillator can be lifesaving. Northwestern’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is one of the first 10 places in the U.S. to implant a recently FDA-approved subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD).
Comprehensive heart care under one roof
Porter Regional Hospital now offers the Center for Cardiovascular Medicine, where patients can access all cardiac services in one location on the main floor.
Fast action saves man from heart attack
Jerry Wathen, a 67-year-old from Park Forest, thought he was having an arthritic attack. In fact, it was a heart attack that could have killed him if Ingalls did not set a record for “door-to-balloon” time.
Even those ‘in the know’ can be targets of heart health threats
Patients like to know that their caregivers understand exactly what they are going through. Dave Angel is director of medical imaging and laboratory services at Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora. In November 2012, he also became the director of the catheterization laboratory. Ironically, Dave, 58, survived a 99 percent blockage in his left anterior descending coronary artery in April of 2012 that would be studied and “viewed’ in that very lab. A blockage this severe is known as the “widow maker.”
Investigational procedure may help treat resistant hypertension
Despite treatment with multiple blood pressure medications, many people are still searching for a way to control their blood pressure. There’s now a clinical trial of a new, investigational therapy at Northwestern’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute that could help revolutionize how doctors treat patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Advocate Christ Medical Center named among top heart programs
Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Heart and Vascular Institute in Oak Lawn was recently named in Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the 100 hospitals with great heart programs.
Initiative aims to screen 1,000 hearts, save 100 lives
To recognize February as National Heart Month, Franciscan St. James will begin an initiative that offers 1,000 free heart screenings at the Franciscan St. James Heart & Vascular Institute in Olympia Fields.
Presence Saint Joseph saves man from ‘widow maker’
You may have heard of the “widow maker.” The term refers to a condition that has been responsible for the sudden death of numerous apparently healthy men and women. Shorewood resident Bill Ryan was almost a victim when he returned from a very active vacation.
Alpha Phi advocates for women’s heart health
Alpha Phi, an international women’s fraternity, works to promote heart health education, especially for women. In 1956, the organization created the Alpha Phi Foundation in part to support heart care. The foundation’s Heart to Heart Grant, which is currently in its 20th year, funds education and research that supports improving women’s heart health. The recipient, chosen by a team of medical professionals and the foundation’s board of directors, will be announced late this February.
Monitor blood pressure to keep heart healthy
A major part of being heart healthy is controlling high blood pressure. Find out the correct way to monitor your blood pressure and where to go in Northwest Indiana in February to receive a free blood pressure screening.
Expo to offer freen screenings, workshops for women
Chicagoland women are invited to take control of their heart health at the Go Red for Women Community Expo from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. This free event will include heart-health screenings, interactive workshops on topics including nutrition and exercise, and valuable take-home resources.
Doctors save woman after pulmonary embolism
Two physicians with Franciscan St. Margaret Health were recently awarded for quick action they took when a woman had a massive pulmonary embolism.
Calendar of upcoming heart health events
Here’s a look at some of the 2013 heart health events taking place in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.
Events to support heart health in Northwest Indiana
The American Heart Association will sponsor several events in Northwest Indiana in 2013 to fulfill its mission of building lives free of heart disease and stroke.
Get a free box of chocolate with cardio risk assessment
Chocolate is good for your heart. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, small amounts of dark chocolate can be good for your heart. The plant phenols — cocoa phenols, found in dark chocolate — have been known to lower blood pressure and …
Go online to assess your risk for heart disease
Ingalls’ new HeartAware Cardiovascular online risk assessment allows people to assess their current cardiovascular health and find out the medical or lifestyle conditions that may lead to the disease.
Focusing on adults with heart disease
Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn recently launched an adult congenital heart disease program that allows a patient’s current and previous physicians to work collaboratively to meets the patient’s unique needs.
Tex-Mex Chili Pie is heart healthy and hearty
Perfect for wintry nights or while watching sporting events, this hearty chili is accented with crisp corn tortillas, fat-free Cheddar cheese, and dollops of fat-free sour cream. This recipe is worth repeating, so save time now by making a double batch and storing the leftover chili in an airtight container for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Follow these 5 tips for exercise success
Whether it is a structured exercise program or just part of your daily routine, all exercise adds up to a healthier heart. Take the first step by walking. It’s free, easy to do and when you have a walking companion, you’re more likely to stay motivated. Here are some tips for exercise success courtesy of the American Heart Association.
Longer CPR improves survival, studies show
Two large national studies show that extending CPR longer than previously thought useful saves lives in both children and adults. “These findings about the duration of CPR are game-changing, and we hope these results will rapidly affect hospital practice,” said Robert A. Berg, M.D., chief of Critical Care Medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Unemployment may increase chances of heart attacks
Unemployment hurts more than your wallet — it may damage your heart. That’s according to a study linking joblessness with heart attacks in older workers. Multiple job losses posed as big a threat as smoking, high blood pressure and other conditions that are bad for the heart.