For the past several months, much of the world has faced the harsh reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. Caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), COVID-19 can result in several severe pulmonary and cardiovascular complications. Approximately 8 million people in the United States have been infected with the novel coronavirus as of the […]

The ankle-brachial index (ABI) test is a simple, non-invasive test that serves to assist healthcare providers in determining whether or not a patient has developed peripheral vascular disease (PVD). In its simplest form, this test allows physicians to assess just how well a patient’s blood is flowing. “No special preparations are needed for an ankle-brachial […]

Most adults, regardless of their profession, work during the day. And the majority of doctors’ office hours mirror those of their patients. When compared with competing Western industrialized nations, access to after-hours care — which “refers to care for medical problems arising between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m., and on weekends and holidays, that could […]

Can COVID-19 damage the heart? Yes: Although COVID-19 — the disease caused by the coronavirus that’s led to the global pandemic — is primarily a respiratory or lung disease, the heart and vascular system can also be damaged. Early reports coming out of China and Italy, two areas where COVID-19 took hold earlier in the […]

In patients living with diabetes, a chronic medical condition that results in the accumulation of glucose, or sugar, in the bloodstream, awareness is the key to management. The cells of those with type II diabetes struggle to properly respond to insulin — which is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pancreas that assists in […]

Over the past several months, nearly every corner of the world has felt the terrible effects of the novel coronavirus. With each day that passes, medical professionals around the world continue to piece together the mystery that this virus has posed. Although primarily associated with respiratory issues, Covid-19 can wreak havoc throughout the body, including […]

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that commonly affects many individuals throughout their adult lives. Patients may live with high blood pressure for several years without exhibiting any obvious symptoms. However, individuals with high blood pressure who do not experience the condition’s most common symptoms can still incur significant damage to the heart […]

A rare occurrence for more individuals, heart palpitations are characterized by the unexpected fast-paced racing, fluttering, pounding of the heart. People who undergo heart palpitations might also feel as though their heart skipped or added an additional beat. While many instances merely signify a slight, benign misstep of the heart’s regular rhythm, heart palpitations can […]

Maintaining both a heart healthy diet and a consistent exercise routine has the power to significantly improve an individual’s health. Not only are the aforementioned lifestyle choices and habits integral to any person looking to lose excess weight or sustain a healthy BMI (body mass index), but opting for hearty, nutritious foods and adopting a […]

Can You Really Die From a Broken Heart? Each and every person, at some point in their lives or another, is likely to experience heartbreak at least once. Whether brought on by a bad break up, the death of a loved one, a grave financial loss, etc., heartbreak is a part of human life. Occurring […]

Plant-based diets have experienced exponential growth in their popularity over the past several years. Abiding by a plant-based diet isn’t an entirely new concept, and it is certainly not a fad diet. Although this lifestyle choice has been propelled to its current prevalence with the help of social media and celebrities — notably Miley Cyrus, […]

As the decades have quickly zoomed by, humanity’s overall hunger for success has only intensified. Careers in professions like banking, law, and consulting have become increasingly desirable, seducing individuals with the promise of eventual economic prosperity. But “making it” can come at a hefty cost. According to the United States Department of Labor, “long work […]

Throughout recent history, the discussion surrounding blood pressure has consistently been regarding the high blood pressure epidemic. This is, in part, thanks to the dangerous health ramifications of hypertension (high blood pressure); “organs and blood vessels can be damaged.” In addition, hypertension can result in the “rupture of a blood vessel and lead to bleeding […]

Women are no strangers to having their pain minimized by laypeople and medical professionals alike. Unfortunately, quick assumptions of “general pain” by male doctors can eventually result in catastrophic outcomes for women’s heart health. As explained by Dr. Tia Powell, a bioethicist and a professor of clinical epidemiology and population health at Albert Einstein College […]

Over the course of the past several decades, the harmful effects of cigarette smoking have been a regular topic of discussion. Advertisements on television and radio featuring doctors’ endorsements and cartoon mascots are a thing of the past, having been banned in 1971. And in 2006, a federal court decision “concluded that the major U.S. […]

Stress does not age discriminate, and neither do heart attacks. Unless they have a specific reason to do so, most individuals in their 20s and 30s may not feel the need to be concerned about heart health. Unfortunately, however, rates of heart disease are increasing for people in this age range. The American Heart Association […]

Researchers and medical professionals have discovered a strong link between diabetes and peripheral arterial disease on a global scale. Patients with diabetes are incredibly prone to developing atherosclerosis — the build-up of plaque in the arteries. Commonly referred to as hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis “limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and […]

Across countless studies globally, it has been found that individuals with chronic kidney disease are more likely to develop or show signs of peripheral arterial disease than individuals with normal or average kidney function. Nephrology clinical practice of today is often adversely affected by peripheral arterial disease diagnostic challenges, all while patients with kidney disease […]

Peripheral arterial disease, or as it’s more commonly known — PAD, has numerous causes and there are also many paths for treatment. PAD is a disease caused by atherosclerosis — or the build-up of plaque within the arteries in the lower limbs, specifically the legs. Atherosclerosis manifests when “the blood vessels that carry oxygen and […]

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)? Peripheral arterial disease, more commonly referred to as PAD, “is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs.” An individual with this condition typically experiences blockages of blood vessels outside of the heart and brain, primarily in the lower extremities — specifically the […]