Cardiology, Heart, Heart Failure, Norton Community Medical Associates, Women’s Heart Program

What is a good blood pressure number?

Blood pressure is a key measure of your health. You probably know it’s important, but do you know what a good blood pressure is? Do you know why it’s important? Read on for the answers to these questions and more. What is blood pressure? Two numbers make up your blood pressure reading: systolic blood pressure…

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Breastfeeding, Heart, Obstetrics

Study: Breastfeeding reduces risk of heart disease

A new study confirms that a patient who breastfeeds has a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, or death from cardiovascular disease. New research suggests that the risk decreases with longer periods of breastfeeding, up to 12 months of duration. “We already know that patients who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast…

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Heart, Vascular Surgery

Louisville visitor goes to Norton Audubon Hospital with intense stomach pain — not a moment too soon

Visiting Louisville on a business trip, Rob Priest thought he might have come down with a terrible case of food poisoning. As pain in his abdomen grew more intense and deeper, he called 911 in the middle of the night from his hotel. When Rob arrived by ambulance at Norton Audubon Hospital, he learned the…

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Atrial Fibrillation, Heart

Study of atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and alcohol shows chance of an episode increase dramatically within hours of drinking

A recent study of atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and alcohol found patients with intermittent A-fib would have episodes within hours of drinking. The study in Annals of Internal Medicine provided more evidence that A-fib patients could improve their condition by drinking less. This was the first study to show and measure the real-time relationship between alcohol…

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Atrial Fibrillation, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart, NCMA, Norton Now

Annual physical reveals serious heart condition

Barry Barmore had been getting his annual physicals, and the routine had become familiar. Blood pressure, reflexes, lots of poking and prodding. “I never expected to hear anything serious from my exam,” Barry said. His primary care provider, Alice H. Johnson, M.D., an internal medicine specialist at Norton Community Medical Associates – Audubon East LL2,…

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Cardiology, Heart, Heart Attack

American Heart Association sets standards for heart attack care

If someone is having chest pain, it’s time to get to the best hospital for heart attack treatment. But aren’t all hospitals equipped to treat a heart attack? Yes, and getting treatment right away is the most important thing, so call 911. Some hospitals have better outcomes than others and are able to reach those…

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Heart, Vascular Surgery

Heartbeat in your stomach? When to worry

Feeling your heartbeat in your stomach can be a sign that an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has formed and has gotten larger. The abdominal aneurysm occurs when a portion of the aorta enlarges like a balloon. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body and supplies blood to the pelvis, abdomen and legs….

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Cardiology, Heart, Interventional Cardiology

El dolor de espalda puede ser un síntoma de un ataque al corazón, especialmente en las mujeres

This post is also available in English El dolor de espalda superior puede ser un signo de un ataque al corazón, especialmente en las mujeres. Tal vez pasaste un poco más de tiempo haciendo trabajos de jardinera durante el fin de semana, o tal vez moviste algunos muebles al depósito. Ahora te duele la espalda….

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Cardiology, Heart, Heart Attack

Time change and heart attacks: The good news

Daylight saving time gets blamed for as much as a 24% spike in heart attacks the Monday after we move clocks ahead in the spring. But does moving clocks back in the fall have the same effect? There’s good news. The same study that found the big increase in the spring heart attacks found the…

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Heart, Norton Audubon

Former Lynn’s manager finds passion running new cardiovascular intensive care unit

Before she became a nurse, Kristen Wieder managed Lynn’s Paradise Café in Louisville. There, she befriended a couple whose son had leukemia. A year after the boy died, his parents met for lunch with his oncology nurses at the landmark Highlands restaurant, which has since closed. The bond between the boy’s nurses and his parents…

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Heart, Heart Failure

Chemotherapy impacted his heart, but a ventricular assist device keeps Bill Howard going

Bill Howard was loving life after retirement. In 2007, after 32 years with Ford Motor Co.’s Louisville Assembly Plant, he and his wife, Sharon, had purchased their lake home on Rough River in Breckinridge County, Kentucky. The Army veteran was enjoying fishing and helping friends with projects — keeping himself just busy enough. But in…

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Atrial Fibrillation, Heart

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute one of top in country for A-fib hybrid ablation procedure

A device recently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is changing the way heart specialists can care for patients with A-fib. A-fib is a potentially serious heart rhythm irregularity that raises the risk of stroke and heart failure. Heart specialists at Norton Heart &…

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