Too much bad cholesterol or too little good cholesterol coursing through your bloodstream increases the risk that the waxy substance can start lining the walls of arteries that supply blood to the heart and brain. That’s bad enough, but why exactly can high cholesterol cause heart disease? Why is high cholesterol bad? Whether the good…
High blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart and arteries. Years of untreated high blood pressure and the strain it puts on artery walls creates places for cholesterol to build up and form hardened patches of plaque. If the plaque ruptures, bits and pieces enter the bloodstream, where they can form blood clots. High…
If you are experiencing stress or not handling your stress with healthy tools, it may affect your heart health. When the body feels stress, the natural reaction is to release adrenaline and cortisol, hormones that can cause your breathing and heart rate to speed up and your blood pressure to rise. Many know this…
A high body mass index, or BMI, and a sedentary lifestyle increase your risk for heart disease. It’s important to understand how these two factors impact your heart and what you can do to decrease your risk for developing heart disease. What is BMI? BMI is a screening tool used to measure body fat. You…
Tobacco smoke does plenty of damage to the lungs, eyes, bones, bladder … every organ in your body. But why is smoking a risk factor for heart disease? It’s the chemicals in tobacco smoke that damage blood cells and can harm how your heart pumps and the structure of your blood vessels. “It’s the toxic…
Heart disease is the most common cause of death for adults with diabetes. Discover the link between diabetes and your heart, and learn what actions you can take to decrease your risk. What is Type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. When you have diabetes, your body has trouble…
Phil Hayes celebrated his 77th birthday this year. It was a milestone he wasn’t sure he would get to see more than 30 years ago when a heart attack permanently damaged his heart muscle. After having a heart attack in 1987, Phil spent the first 10 years of his recovery from emergency bypass surgery struggling…
Twice as many women will die from stroke than breast cancer. Not only are women more likely to have a stroke compared with men, they also are less likely to recognize the symptoms. Understanding what’s happening is critical to getting lifesaving treatment as quickly as possible. Stroke symptoms in women Stroke symptoms in women sometimes…
Stroke continues to be a leading cause of death in Kentucky. In fact, the number of young people hospitalized due to stroke has increased 44 percent over the past decade. “The numbers are alarming,” said Gauhar Chaudhary, M.D., neurologist with Norton Neuroscience Institute. “Fortunately, most stroke risk factors can be identified and changed, treated or…
Conventional surgery to clean stroke-causing plaque buildup from carotid arteries often comes with risks ranging from infection to heart attack and nerve damage. Now, a minimally invasive surgical approach to treat carotid artery disease can speed recovery, lower risks and help prevent future strokes. Norton Heart & Vascular Institute physicians are using an innovative procedure…
Heart disease knows no boundaries. Women of all ages experience various forms of heart disease — a disease that can leave you feeling helpless and alone. Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, in coordination with WomenHeart, is hosting a Sept. 29 retreat for women living with heart disease. The retreat, titled “Healing the Heart – Mind,…
As a young medical resident, Vipul R. Panchal, M.D., brought hot coffee and a stack of electrocardiograms to the hospital bedside of a cardiologist who was undergoing dialysis. Each morning, the doctor shared his hard-earned wisdom with Dr. Panchal, forming a mentorship that helped cement his own journey to become a heart specialist. Dr. Panchal,…
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