CPR Class Memphis

  Heart disease accounts for one in every four deaths and is the worldwide leading cause of death, killing more people than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, many individuals are not aware of their individual risk. Some people do not even realize they’ve heart disease until something serious like a life-threatening heart attack occurs. Unfortunately, one in five adults at risk for heart disease don’t recognize a need to work on the health of their ticker. However, there’s plenty of room for improvement (there’s a lot you can do) when it comes to raising awareness for cardiovascular risk. People often overlook heart attack symptoms, mistaking it to be for something not so serious, thus delay seeking treatment. This, as a result, can cause permanent damage to the ticker or lead to death. The key to preventing heart disease is by being aware. Each one of us should work towards raising awareness about the various risk factors of heart disease, its preventive measures, and ...

  It’s no secret that heart disease is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. High blood pressure (HBP) is one of the major reasons behind one’s risk of developing heart disease. HBP is a condition when pressure that the heart exerts to pump blood increases which can lead to other complications. Hypertensive heart disease refers to heart issues that arise due to high blood pressure that is present over a period of time. Under this condition (HBP), the ticker has to work harder as it pumps against the pressure, which causes the heart muscle to thicken over time. People may not even realize their pressure is high, since there are often no symptoms with high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called the silent killer as it usually lacks obvious symptoms, and by the time it comes to the fore, damage to the ticker has already occurred. If not diagnosed early and left unchecked, the muscle may become so thick that it does not get enough oxygen, whic...

All of us seem to take our heart for granted that beats about 2.5 billion times over the span of an average lifetime. It’s vital that the heartbeat is strong enough to give the oxygen-rich blood a good push into the arteries to flow smoothly around the body to the tissues and organs. A good diet, alongside regular exercise, minimum stress and low alcohol consumption, can all keep these processes running smoothly. With heart disease being the number one killer in the USA, it’s time we took notice of this vital organ and take extra care of it. Most cases of heart disease is partly brought on by lifestyle choices like being sedentary and smoking, and other daily risk factors such as eating a mostly meat-based diet. This means by making healthy lifestyle changes, we can drastically lower our risk for heart disease. No matter your age, there is a simple way to reduce the chances of heart disease- by eating a heart-healthy diet. A diet that is generally quite heart-healthy - lots of fruit...

  Problems related to the ticker do not always require surgery. Sometimes lifestyle changes, medications, or nonsurgical procedures are enough to address these problems. However, surgery is often required to address problems such as heart failure (HF), plaque accumulation that partially or totally blocks blood flow in a coronary artery, faulty heart valves, abnormal heart rhythms, etc. Heart surgery is a major surgery that may require a few weeks to several months (more complex surgeries) for a person to recover. The relentless spread of coronavirus around the globe has changed nearly every aspect of daily life, even including how patients recover from heart surgery. People with heart disease must be extra attentive now as they have a greater risk of developing COVID-19. It is important for heart patients to take additional, reasonable precautions in order to cut down their risk. Individuals recovering from heart surgery must follow the instructions given to you by your surgical ...

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through a tremendous amount of change, starting from hormonal shifts to odd food cravings to the way your heart works. Heart-related changes during pregnancy can be attributed to increased volume, which is completely normal. The heart works harder as it is circulating blood for two people instead of one. It is not common for a cardiologist to be involved in the pregnancy process. However, for women with heart conditions, or simply a weak heart to begin with, problems can occur due to the natural increase in the workload of the ticker during pregnancy, which can lead to issues like high blood pressure or heart failure. Someone having high blood pressure from before (she is pregnant), can lead to preeclampsia or eclampsia, which can eventually lead to organ damage or seizures. Furthermore, women who have an underlying heart condition or congenital heart problems tend to face complications while pregnant. But in view of the advancements in medicine,...

  Nuts have been gaining traction lately as an all-natural health food with health benefits, especially benefits for the heart. Scientific evidence suggests that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, including peanuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may keep heart disease at bay. This is significant, since heart disease remains the number one killer in Americans. Research linking what we eat to our ticker is still ongoing. Although change is the only constant in the world of nutrition research, studies continue to prove the connection between consumption of peanuts and reduced risk of heart disease. A study found that people who ate peanuts at least twice per week had a 15 percent lower risk of getting heart disease in comparison to those who never or rarely ate nuts. Peanut, which is technically a legume and is grown underground, is not only a kid-approved snack, but is also a great source of nutrients for older adults. Peanuts are a great source of prote...

  Every cell of our body needs Magnesium, which has hundreds of crucial functions in the body, starting from energy production, muscle relaxation, to proper nerve function, and most importantly, is a part of many processes related to the heart. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the US. It is true that the major heart disease risk factors are high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which makes the widespread magnesium deficiency among the US population a commonly overlooked risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Magnesium deficiency is dangerously common, leading to increased cardiovascular risk. According to studies, consuming the recommended amount of magnesium in your diet can lower the rate of heart disease by 40 percent, of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by 77 percent, and of all-cause mortality by 40 percent. Magnesium is extremely critical for tissues that have electrical or mechanical activity, such as muscles (including the heart), nerves, and...

A heart condition might stop you from driving for a little while, in no way does it mean that you’ll have to give up driving altogether. The length of time an individual may have to stop driving for varies, depending largely upon the heart condition one has and the type of vehicle one drives. For example, the restrictions are stricter for individuals that drive heavy goods vehicles and buses. Not just heart condition, one shouldn’t drive if you suffer from medical condition, which can suddenly cause you to lose control while driving, putting your life at risk as well as those accompanying you. Moreover, it is important that you stop driving and seek advice from your doctor right away if you experience episodes of dizziness, fainting or blackouts. Medicines you are taking for your heart can give you side effects, such as drowsiness, which might affect your driving. It’s crucial to seek medical attention right away. After a heart surgery, doctors usually give guidelines to heal and recov...

  A maze procedure is one option for treating atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) that is used to control the irregular heartbeat and restore the normal rhythm of the heart. Doctors may recommend the maze procedure to those for whom atrial fibrillation isn't controlled by medication, or who can't take medication or anticoagulants, and who also require heart surgery. While conducting the surgery, doctors make tiny cuts in the heart muscle that scar as they heal. These cuts that the surgeon makes in the atria prevent the spread of irregular electrical signals (through the heart muscle causing AF) by giving the heart new pathways for them. Not everyone is a good candidate for maze procedure. It is only if you meet your surgeon’s criteria that you’ll be sent for a pre-surgery evaluation that typically involves several tests, including complete physical, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, stress test or nuclear stress test, Holter Monitor, computed tomography (CT) scan, transes...

  Coronary angioplasty is one of the most common procedures in the management of blocked coronary arteries and involves insertion of a catheter through a blood vessel in either your groin or your arm. The procedure helps treat coronary blockages by placing a stent (tiny-wire mesh tube) inside the artery. However, there is a lack of awareness about post-procedure practices. So take a look at what you can expect for coronary angioplasty recovery, including how long until you can get back to your normal routine: Post Operation - If it is a planned coronary angioplasty (in case just to relieve symptoms of clogged arteries), you'll probably be discharged from the hospital the same day or the following day. The length of your stay in the hospital will depend on the reason for your angioplasty. For example, if it is an emergency angioplasty for a heart attack, you’ll have to spend a few days in the hospital before returning home. Before leaving the hospital, make sure to note any medi...

Atrial Fibrillation, often called AFib, is the most common type of heart arrhythmia that prevents the top chambers of the heart from contracting normally. If you have AFib, you are not alone, as more than 2.7 million people have AFib in the United States, and that number continues to increase as the population ages. The sooner this irregular heartbeat (AFib) is diagnosed, the more likely you are to get appropriate treatment. So look out for the most common symptoms, including heart palpitations, irregular pulse, dizziness, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and trouble breathing or fatigue (the most common symptom). The best way to fight AFib and other heart conditions is by giving your lifestyle a healthy boost, which includes eating heart-healthy foods that are low in sodium and fat, maintaining a healthy weight and staying active. It is as much important that your known health problems are being actively addressed and kept in check. Treatment options for individuals diagnos...

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease caused by a lack of insulin (the hormone that helps get sugar out of your blood and into your cells) or a resistance to insulin leading to rise in blood glucose (sugar) levels. High glucose levels, over a period of time can damage you body, by affecting the various vital organs like your heart and how efficiently it beats. Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart condition that results in an arrhythmia (an abnormal heart rhythm). Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia with 2.7 and 6.1 million people in the United States having this condition. Some of the risk factors of AFib include age, obesity, hypertension, valvular heart disease, heart failure (HF), and obstructive sleep apnea. Some studies have reported diabetes mellitus (DM) to be an independent risk factor for AFib. Your heart rhythm in Atrial Fibrillation : It is the electrical impulses that pass through the walls of the four chambers of the hea...