Blood clots get a bad rap; that’s because clotting is necessary to stop bleeding. In fact, those who take blood thinners or whose clotting factors are compromised run the risk of developing painful and unsightly bruises or bleeding extensively after even the smallest nick or injury. However, blood clots can also be extremely dangerous, especially when they are the result of blood pooling in your body when it doesn’t need it to. When this happens, you run the risk of the clot traveling to a vital ... [Read More]
heart health
Can Sleeping Too Much Be Bad for Your Health?
Getting enough sleep is essential – especially when work and family life are tiring you out. But could you be sleeping too much? Do others often nag you to get up, or do you feel like you are missing out on life? The answer to whether sleeping too much is bad for your health may surprise you because too much sleep itself is not usually the problem. Rather, it may indicate a physical or mental health problem that needs to be addressed. It could also mean you are not getting enough quality ... [Read More]
Precautions of a Nuclear Stress Test
Radioactive dye is an essential component of a nuclear stress test, as it’s used to produce vivid images of your heart and your blood flow as the heart is pumping. Radioactive dye is injected into the body to capture images of internal structures and to look for abnormalities. The radioactive nature of the dye is the main reason why some patients feel uneasy about undergoing the procedure. However, the test is primarily safe, and there are rarely any associated complications. Why Should I ... [Read More]
What to Expect from a Vascular Ultrasound?
A vascular ultrasound, also called a vascular lab or duplex study, may sound like a foreboding testing procedure, but it’s fairly noninvasive procedure. Your doctor will order a vascular ultrasound to examine your circulation by evaluating your arteries, veins, and blood vessels in nearly any part of your body. If your doctor has recommended that you undergo a vascular ultrasound, here are some things you can expect: Prepping for the Vascular Ultrasound Typically no preparation is required ... [Read More]
What to Do if You Notice Irregular Heart Rate
Arrhythmias or abnormal and irregular heartbeats are the results of the electrical pulses in your heart incorrectly coordinate the natural rhythm. Arrhythmias are not uncommon and can often be harmless. There are times that they can be alarming and become an emergency situation. This guide will help you distinguish these two types and what you should do in the event of them. What Causes Arrhythmia? There are 14 different types of arrhythmia, depending on where it originates. Atrial arrhythmia ... [Read More]
