Monday, August 19, 2013

Some warning signs for an upcoming stroke

Considered to be a major cause of death especially in the United States, stroke is a major health situation that should be dealt with wisely. Having good knowledge of identifying its signs can be a major help in avoiding more complicated health situations in the future.

Stroke happens when the blood flow is suddenly restricted from being supplied to the brain. It may happen within only a few seconds. That is why immediate actions and precautions must be taken the moment one notices its signs. Considering many Americans are unaware of major warning signs of a stroke, it is imperative to know those signs.

How to identify stroke


This type of problem is a serious concern. Failing to take immediate and fast corrective measures and proper care can cause long-term negative effects on health. It can often end up causing blocked flow of blood, long term disabilities, and even death.

If you ever feel that someone around you may have a stroke or may be in its initial stage, act quickly and follow these instructions. Ask the person to smile or repeat a sentence. Ask the person to raise both of his or her hands. Upon noticing any stroke signs, for example, if you notice the person to be confused have any numbness, or a headache, make sure to call emergency for medical attention.

Types:

There are two types of stroke. The first one is called hemorrhagic. This happens when blood vessels bleed and at times eventually get ruptured. Aneurysm is also a part of this problem that can cause bleeding within the brain.

The second type is called transient ischemic attack (or TIA). This one is usually minor, also called warning stroke. In this situation, a blood clot gets formed only for a short span but then corrects itself by making its way through the artery and the body starts functioning normally. Although its symptoms may go away after a while, it can be an alarming indication of potentially threatening situations in near future.

Effects:

A stroke can turn out to be life threatening as well as life altering. Restricted blood flow can cause confusion, paralysis, and several types of long term disabilities. The person may face difficulty in walking and have slurred speech and blurred vision. Numbness in arms, legs, face or one side of the body is also a common effect of this medical condition. The patient may experience a sudden onset of excruciating headache. The intensity of the headache could be extreme.

The key to handling a complicated medical situation like stroke is to know signs and symptoms and to act as quickly and smartly as possible. Do not neglect any signals and make sure to seek expert medical attention.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Cardiac issues that you must be aware of

Every year, a large number of people die because of heart problems. Heart related issues arise when people do not take care of their health. However, by the time they acknowledge their heart-related issues, it might be too late for them.

Only you can take care of your own health, which is why you must be cautious! You must be aware about the food that is good for your heart’s health and those which are not.

However, it would be a better option to plan a visit to the best cardiologist in NYC to prevent health issues, in case you sense the possibility of any heart ailment. Do not ignore any abnormal behavior of the body; rather get in touch with a specialist to find the root cause of the problem.  Apart from this, a regular checkup is essential in minimizing risk of heart-related issues.

Heart attacks have become quite common these days. The surveys conducted in different parts of the world reveal that a large portion of the world’s population suffers from heart disease. The reasons are many. Sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits contribute to it the most.

Generally, an individual who is at a risk of heart attack or any other cardiovascular issues may experience certain symptoms. Stay alert and careful, and keep an eye on the possibility of heart attack!

Here is the list of the most common signs and symptoms of heart attack.

1. Chest pain

This is one of the most common symptoms faced by both males and females when they are at the risk of any heart-related trouble. You may experience chest pain for few minutes. There is a possibility that pain will be there for some time and after a few minutes, it’ll be gone.

2. Upper Body Discomfort

You many feel pain in neck, jaw, shoulders and back without any reason. If such pain continues, do not ignore it immediately consult a specialist.

3. Shortness of Breath

You may experience discomfort while breathing. If you feel that you are not able to breathe properly when you are not doing any physical activity, then you must go to a cardiologist.

Besides this, headaches, dizziness, nausea and feeling tired for days without any reason are other symptoms that indicate that you may have a health issue.

To avoid such conditions, eat a healthy and nutritious diet. You should go out for a walk or spend some time doing other forms of exercise.

Do not make any compromises with your health. If you notice any abnormal behavior in your body, consult a heart specialist to stay fit and healthy!

There are many more symptoms that indicate you’re on the risk of heart attack. Talk to the best cardiologist in NYC to know more about heart attacks.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Steps to prevent the chance of heart attack

Heart attacks claim many lives every year. In America alone, many people suffer from this deadly disease every year. However, you should be happy to know that this is one such health hazard that can be avoided for many individuals.

Taking certain precautions, keeping track of your health, and following a healthy lifestyle can improve one’s health. In this article, you will get to know the process of prevention.
  • Learn more about your health risks. Visit a good cardiologist to discuss your individual risks for cardiac disease. There are certain factors that cannot be changed, like your gender, heredity and age; however, other factors can be significantly reduced to minimize cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol, tobacco use, inactive lifestyle, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Upon assessing your personal and health history and factors that may cause a heart attack, doctors would advise you about the necessary steps to be taken to reduce the possibilities of a heart attack.

  • Always keep track of your blood sugar and cholesterol level, blood pressure, and weight patterns. Keep the lab results from your cardiologist in a separate folder, for easy access at any time. Keep close check on these numbers and monitor them regularly. Pay attention to how they are changing over time. For instance, if your weight and blood pressure are increasing, then it is time to find remedies for these health problems before they could start causing significant damage.

  • Introduce positive and healthy changes in your lifestyle. Try living an active life. Follow a balanced and nutritious diet. Make it a point to include vegetables, fruits, lean meat, poultry and whole grains in your meals. Start exercising regularly and make it a daily routine. If you are not used to exercising, then consult your doctor before you begin any vigorous physical activity.
  • Take medications as prescribed by your cardiologist. Your doctor will be your guide in controlling chronic conditions like high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes, which may be potential factors for cardiac issues.
     
  • It takes strong commitment and dedication to follow these lifestyle changes. Although they are minor, they can have a considerable impact on your health. Make sure that your commitments do not fade away like New Year’s resolutions. Controlling cardiac issues is a life-long habit, which you should follow for your whole life. The majority of individuals who do not even have a heart problem are following these healthy habits to prevent any issue from arising in the future.
Everyone these days is aware of how serious a heart attack can be. Visit Best cardiologist in NYC even before you notice any symptoms.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Did you know that women are more prone to heart attacks than men?

According to a recent survey, heart attacks are the number one death-causing medical condition in America. According to the AHA (American Heart Association), chances of heart attack are higher in women than in men. Furthermore, the symptoms of heart attack that women tend to experience vary significantly from the ones usually experienced by men.

Knowing how to recognize signs of a heart attack is especially important for women. Here are some symptoms of heart attack experienced by women:

Discomfort in upper body:


A typical sign of this disease is chest pain. Usually women experience mild pain and not excruciating pain experienced by men. The pain feels like a pressure on the chest. Pain between the shoulder blades can also be a sign of a heart attack. Other types of discomfort in the upper body that are signs of heart attack include pressure in the jaw, shoulders, abdominal area, and neck.

Prodromal symptoms

Prodromal, signs of heart attack in women can sometimes persist for weeks and even months at a time. Before a heart attack, the majority of women report chest discomfort, anxiety, indigestion, difficulty in sleeping, shortness of breath, and fatigue. While any of these signs may be caused by other factors, these combined symptoms mean that she is at a risk of a heart attack and needs quick medical attention.

Special factors

Early signs of heart attack in women need to be given due consideration especially if a woman is above the age of 40 and/or has a family history of heart disease. Obese women that live a sedentary lifestyle and those who take contraceptive pills fall should also seek medical consultation.

Other common heart attack symptoms


These symptoms are common both in men as well as women. However, women are more likely to experience vomiting, nausea, heartburn and gas-like pain. Women may also feel weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and light-headedness just before a heart attack.

All women, especially those who are at a higher risk of this life-threatening situation, should be well-educated about recognizing these signs. Upon experiencing any of the signs mentioned above, a specialist should be consulted immediately. In the case of a heart attack, emergency medical services should be called and proper medical attention should be given to the patient.

Chances of survival are higher if proper medical attention is given within first hour of a heart attack. It can also minimize the damage caused to the muscles of heart.

By being aware of heart attack symptoms and have a proper knowledge of how to deal with them, you can save a life.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Information on role and importance of cardiology doctors

A cardiologist can be a life saver, especially for those suffering from heart disease. These medical professionals are actually a blessing in disguise for many. Because of widespread sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits, heart disease is increasing at a rate never seen before. A consultation with a cardiologist can be very helpful.

Cardiologists study human heart structure, cardiac disease, the reason behind those problems, and required medications for that particular medical issue. These doctors are medical professionals, who help cure cardiac diseases by understanding your medical condition. A cardiologist is primarily responsible for diagnosing your heart-related problems by studying the symptoms, taking the necessary tests, and studying your family history and lifestyle habits.

Upon recognizing that a person may have a heart related issue, the first step is to visit the best possible cardiology doctor in your locality. These doctors will guide you through the entire treatment procedure and assess your medical condition by conducting the necessary medical examinations, diagnosing the issues to find the root cause of any cardiac problem, so that the necessary remedial actions can be taken.    

An expert doctor would recommend both medications and changes in your lifestyle. He or she would teach you certain cardiac exercises to be performed regularly and would make you aware of the ideal food habits to ensure a healthy heart. If the person has had a stroke, the doctor would examine the symptoms and effects of stroke, and prescribe medications accordingly. Some of the common medications that these doctors would prescribe will be aimed at thinning the blood to reduce the chances of blood clot formation which may result in stroke. Other medication can be focused on reducing the blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels.

The major responsibility of a cardiac specialist is to diagnose the heart problem. They are not the ones that perform heart surgeries. If a surgery is required, then these professionals usually refer the patients to an expert surgeon. However, the cardiologist’s main motive is to first diagnose the problem.

If all the medications and lifestyle changes fail to treat the problem, then the situation may require surgery. It is the responsibility of the cardiologist to supply the necessary diagnostic information and medical details to the surgeon, so that the surgeon can study all the important aspects and  the most effective surgery can be conducted.

Inability to treat a heart-related problem correctly can be life threatening. That is why the choice of a cardiologist is an important decision. Only the most knowledgeable and experienced cardiologist should be selected after due considerations. The experience of the doctor is a crucial factor to be considered.

Monday, June 24, 2013

The ‘time bomb’ for heart deterioration is ticking!

The heart is the ‘official’ blood pumper to the body and there is no denying the fact that you need to take the best care of it, in order to stay in perfect health. Did you know that the percentage of people dying in the world due to heart disease is rising every day? little habits of people, the horribly polluted environment as well as hereditary conditions are attacking the health and wellness of people in lethal ways.

It’s time you pick up your guards while there is still time and hope for leading a healthy and prosperous life. You need to understand that simply focusing on one thing at a time to help your heart staying fit will not work. You have to fight back heart ailments from all possible sides, so that you can stay healthy for long.

Food

It won’t be wrong to say that a large part of our health is decided by the food we eat, the sort of diet routine that we follow. When it comes to avoiding heart ailments, even the best cardiology doctors will agree when I say that you can ward off a lot of these problems if you eat nutritious food. Food rich in omega 3 fatty acid, which is usually found in fish, is good for your heart.

Also, eating dark chocolate and an occasional glass of red wine tend to galvanize your heart to perfection, preparing it and strengthening it to the fight the pressures of every day. The food intake timings are another important aspect that cannot be ignored. If you eat late at night and go to sleep immediately after it, your body will not have enough time to digest the food. This might cause problems for you in the time to come. You need to make it a point to eat food on time, so that your metabolism works to perfection.

Sleep well

Depriving yourself of proper sleep and not resting your body enough might put create stress and tension. This might start to reflect on your heart health soon, if you don’t pay attention. Make sure that you not only sleep well, but also regularly indulge in relaxing activities.

Obesity control


You know you are at a heart risk when your waist line has crossed 40inches! You need to make sure that you keep your weight in check, because that is one way of warding off heart diseases, besides many others. Do whatever you have to, but keep your weight under check, with exercise, aerobics, swimming, or any other physical exertion that might help you break a sweat, and burn the calories.

Regular maintenance!

If you don’t want your body to deteriorate, then you had better do it on your own. You need to understand the importance of regular health check-ups which can help you monitor your current heart ‘status’ and help towards keeping you  in the pink of health. It is not difficult to find a good NYC cardiologist, if you just choose a dependable name.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Habits that will help you stay safe against heart problems

Considering the deteriorating living styles of people, and simultaneous rise in the incidence of heart problems amongst them, it has become imperative to know how to stay safe from these medical emergencies.

Our eating and lifestyle habits play a major role in enhancing the chances of cardiac trouble amongst us. Health tips offered by a New York cardiologist can help you stay safe against cardiac problems. What are those tips; let us have a look –


1. Change your diet plan –
Food is a major factor that contributes to the poor cardiac health. This is the reason why doctors stress making changes in your eating habits when you are at a risk of such medical problems. An acronym used for one approach is DASH i.e. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Some major food products to avoid in this diet include fast foods, red meat, packaged snacks, bakery items, margarines and dairy products, as all of these contain saturated, and Trans fats. These fats increase the chances of CHD (Coronary Heart Diseases)

2. Keep check on your weight – People who are obese, and overweight have higher risks of developing cardiac problems as compared to non-obese people. This is the reason why the best cardiologist’s advise patients to keep their weight under control. BMI or the Basal Metabolic Index is one measure to check your body weight. Doctors have observed that people with a basal metabolic index of 25 or more are at a higher risk of facing cardiac problems

3. Quit smoking –
Components like nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide found in tobacco smoke are considered dangerous for heart health. Smoking can lead to atherosclerosis or the narrowing of blood vessels. So, in order to ensure good cardiac health you need to quit smoking. In fact, passive smoking or second hand smoke can also be a serious problem, making people around you prone to heart and lung diseases

4. Do some exercise – 30 minutes of exercise daily and you can reduce your health risk. Sedentary lifestyle has been a major contributor towards worsening cardiac problems. This is the reason why medical professionals stress upon making some light exercises a part of your daily routine. This will not only ensure safety from various heart problems, but at the same time will bring other benefits like control of weight, and maintain all the body organs in a rigorous state, to name a few.


By employing the above mentioned habits in your life, you can reduce risks of facing life threatening cardiology troubles.

As they say, ‘prevention is always better than cure’, and so if you feel at the risk of facing any of these medical problems, then you must make these habits a part of your daily routine as soon as possible. After all, life does not give a second chance, so why risk it, when all the consequences can be easily avoided with a slight effort from your side!