Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from the traditional Japanese food, natto, which is made from fermented soybeans and has been enjoyed for centuries. Natto is sticky with an earthy, slightly bitter taste, much like aged cheese and is believed to contribute to the longevity of the Japanese people. Nattokinase’s medicinal benefits were first discovered in… Read more »
In medicine, when research is conducted and systems improved, lives are saved. Such is the case with the acronym FAST which was first launched nationally in 2013 to generate awareness for the signs of stroke: face dropping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call 911. Now, research has identified symptoms missed and two have… Read more »
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. While heart disease may be asymptomatic until a heart attack strikes, there is often an early warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored—elevated blood pressure. Blood pressure consists of two numbers. The first is called systolic blood pressure, which measures the amount… Read more »
Chest pain and shortness of breath should always be taken seriously. These symptoms can signal a heart attack, but they can also be signs of something less sinister—a broken heart. We usually use the term “broken heart” to describe one’s state of mind after a romantic breakup, but there is a medically-recognized condition by the… Read more »
Is salt good for us or not? The human body cannot live without sodium, but excessive amounts can lead to high blood pressure. Salt is most commonly known for flavoring food, but there are many types and uses that are actually beneficial. Our body uses salt to balance fluids in the blood and maintain healthy… Read more »
Picture yourself driving down the highway on a sunny afternoon, when all of a sudden, a sea of brake lights appears in front of you: a traffic jam! This slowdown is something most of us Southern Californians experience regularly. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is like a traffic jam; however, it takes place in our arteries.… Read more »
If you were to ask me, “What one imaging study should I have performed to check on my overall health?” I would, without hesitation, answer a computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) of your coronary arteries. To me, the reason why is glaringly obvious. Heart disease is the number one cause of health complications, expense and death… Read more »
In honor of the American Heart Association’s 25th Annual Heart Walk coming up November 17, we want to get you moving. When you can’t seem to make time for a full workout, try these American Heart Association no-sweat ways to simply move more. Grab the leash and walk your dog. Your body — and your… Read more »
Strokes present in two manners. The first is ischemic stroke caused by a blockage of a large or small blood vessel to the brain. The second form, hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by bleeding of a blood vessel into the brain or on the surface of the brain as in subarachnoid spaces. Hypertension is the most… Read more »
What does it mean to have a heartbeat that “skips”? And how prevalent is it? Among the senior population, as many as one in ten may suffer from a condition called atrial fibrillation (AFIB), a serious heart rhythm disorder. But what is AFIB? Here are five things to know: The heart has an electrical system—and… Read more »
What would your life be like if you had always listened to and followed the wisdom of your heart? Maybe you have, and your life is full and flourishing, or maybe you pause when you think about the many times you have chosen your head over your heart. Some of you may feel the entire… Read more »
Heart disease is still the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S., and it does not seem to be getting any better despite all the amazing advances and inventions in modern western medicine. If you, or your loved ones, are concerned about heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, or you have… Read more »
Approximately 800,000 people suffer a stroke every year, making it is the most common disability among adults. There are two basic types of strokes: an ischemic stroke (when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel) and hemorrhagic stroke (when a blood vessel ruptures or leaks). Some stroke patients have preceding symptoms called transient ischemic attacks… Read more »
This last month, the American Heart Association released a Presidential Advisory titled, “Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease.” You may have seen attention-grabbing headlines such as, “ Coconut Oil Isn’t Healthy. It’s never been healthy,” or, “Health Alert: Coconut Oil is Just as Bad as Butter and Beef Fat, Heart Docs Say.” Obviously, the controversy about… Read more »
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for the past 80 years. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to a heart attack. This year, close to 900,000 Americans will suffer a heart attack,… Read more »
Feeling a patient’s pulse is a diagnostic technique used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as well as traditional Tibetan and Indian Ayurveda medicine. Using the pulse to determine body functions, deficiencies or imbalances dates back thousands of years and has changed over the course of time. Today there are many styles of this diagnostic tool… Read more »
Chances are that you either have, or you know someone who has, varicose veins. That is because vein disease affects 1 in 4 adults. A common myth is that varicose veins (veins that bulge underneath the skin in the legs) are a cosmetic problem, but in certain situations they can lead to swelling and pain… Read more »
Dr. Joe Crowe, a famous breast cancer surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, had operated tirelessly all day on that Friday in November 1996. After he said goodbye to his last patient, he got a very bad headache, which hit him in a flash, and he had to sit down. A minute or two after that,… Read more »
Too many people put their lives at risk driving themselves to the hospital when they’re experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Indeed, only 30 percent of patients who come to JFK Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Room complaining of chest pain come by ambulance. But reducing the time it takes to get medical treatment… Read more »
Emotions are a beautiful part of human nature. Our ability to feel makes us perfectly human! Stress, from all sorts of challenging situations and events, can significantly shorten your life, particularly in the form of a heart attack. Emotions such as depression, anxiety, anger, hostility, as well as social isolation, significantly affect heart health. Negative… Read more »
