Entries by Monika Patel

Knowing Your Heart History

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There’s a basic human instinct to know where we come from. With new technology, like genetic testing kits, we can easily find out more than ever before.

This fascination with knowing our family history can have a real impact on your life and health in the present. It turns out that those lengthy family history questionnaires at the doctor’s office really have value. When it comes to knowing your own risk for developing heart related health issues, it’s all in the family – literally.

Hypertension and Pregnancy

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Whether you’re already expecting or want to be soon, pregnancy puts a lot on your to-do list. From doctor’s appointments to nursery prep – there’s a lot to keep track of.

But make sure that monitoring your blood pressure is at the top of that list!  Whether you’ve struggled with hypertension (high blood pressure) previously or not, pregnancy can have a big impact on your blood pressure.

Better Heart Health Together

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There may not be an I in team, but there are plenty of health benefits in team sports. Humans are a gregarious bunch, so it should come as no surprise that we get more out of exercise when we do it as a group.

Family Heart Health

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When it comes to heart health, you’re never too young or too old to start making healthier choices. Making these changes as a family can help to create good habits early and lead to healthier lifestyle choices later on in life.

Marijuana and Heart Health

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Not too long ago, marijuana as a part of healthcare wasn’t just unbelievable, it was illegal. As marijuana (or cannabis) has been gradually legalized in different states, public opinion has shifted, and its use is being increasingly tolerated across a variety of communities.

Humor and Health

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Stop us if you’ve heard this one. Three people walk into a bar and the fourth one ducks.

If that made you laugh, you’re welcome. If it didn’t, well you might want to learn to at least appreciate a joke — because laughter is more than a nice diversion; it has actual health benefits. From mental health to physical health, a chuckle here and a chortle there can help make you feel better inside and out.

Which BP Monitor is Right for Me – Wrist or Upper Arm?

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Blood pressure monitoring is something many leave to the professionals, but for those with hypertension (about 46% of adults), that may not be an option.  With so many home blood pressure monitors to choose from, though, it can be a bit overwhelming to find a dependable and accurate home blood pressure monitor.

Heart Health for Her

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Women do a lot to take care of everyone else, which is why their own health sometimes takes a backseat. This is just one of the reasons why there’s a fair amount of confusion and misinformation surrounding women’s heart health.

One common misconception is that high blood pressure is more common in men, but close to half of adults with hypertension are women. In fact, women over 65 are more likely to have high blood pressure than men.

Love and Heart Health

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As many a singer and poet has proclaimed – love is a powerful thing. It can break hearts (figuratively), but it can also make them stronger (literally). Yes, you read that right. Love can actually strengthen your heart.

Cold Weather Exercise

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Winter makes most of us want to crawl under the covers and not come out till spring. And if that’s not you, no one wants to hear about it. We hope you’re enjoying your carefree life in Tahiti.

For the rest of us, exercising in the winter months can not only be a struggle, it can seem impossible. Unfortunately, it’s necessary if you want to stay healthy. You know that regular exercise is good for your heart and overall health, or you should. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. That’s just over 20 minutes a day.