Articles - Healthy Heart Guide - Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Tetralogy of Fallot - Congenital Heart Defects

Tetralogy of Fallot is a Rare and Complicated Heart Condition

You may have heard about someone with Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare condition marked by four defects affecting the structure of the heart. It is usually diagnosed early on, but can go undetected into adulthood in some cases. Here we are going to discuss everything you need to know about this condition, including some background, potential causes, symptoms and treatment options… What is Tetralogy of Fallot exactly? The condition is named after the French physician Etienne-Louis Arthur Fallot, and affects around 1 out of every 2000 births. ...

CPK Blood Test to Determine Muscle Damage

The CPK Test Can Help Diagnosis Heart Related Problems

A CPK test might be ordered by your doctor to check for muscle related diseases or problems, as well as in the emergency room if a heart attack is suspected. CPK stands for creatine phosphokinase, and it is an enzyme that helps turn creatine into phosphate which is burned for energy. CPK leaks out of muscles into the bloodstream when there is damage to the heart muscle or other muscles in your body. As such it is a good indication that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. What is the CPK Blood Test All About? The CPK enzyme, also...

What is the MCV Blood Test and What Does it Indicate?

The MCV Blood test is one component of the Complete Blood Count, one of the most common tests you will have, and usually part of your regular checkup at the doctor’s office. Specifically, it is a measure of the average size of your red blood cells to ensure that they are normal. If they are too small or too large, that could be an indication of an underlying health issue. Let’s take a closer look at this specific test to see what it is all about… The MCV Blood Test – An Introduction There are basically two reasons why...

Avocados and Cholesterol – Are They Good or Are They Bad?

Avocados and cholesterol…a very popular topic these days, yet it’s one of the most misunderstood fruits out there. Is it high in cholesterol? Is it low? Can it help reduce LDL? Will it make my high cholesterol even worse? I just don’t know if I should be eating avocados every day or throwing them out the window. Please help me figure it all out! We created this article to tell you everything you’ll ever need to know about avocados and cholesterol, so you can tell your friends about it and eventually, everyone will...

What Causes High Triglycerides and is it Dangerous?

We were recently asked, “What causes high triglycerides and is there anything I can do about it?” This visitor recently had his blood work done, and his cholesterol was within range, but his triglyceride levels were quite elevated. He hadn’t yet discussed it with his doctor, and we advised him to do so before taking any action. Elevated triglycerides are a risk factor for heart disease, especially when coupled with high cholesterol, high homocysteine levels and elevated CRP levels. Together these four blood indicators give...

Is Shrimp High In Cholesterol or No?

Is shrimp high in cholesterol? As the most popular shellfish in the world today, shrimp is a great source of protein, as well as a host of vitamins and minerals, including B12, selenium, choline, iodine and copper. But in spite of its healthy nutrients, many people are concerned about shrimp cholesterol levels. In fact, it’s right up there with eggs as far as how concerned people are about the amount of cholesterol the food contains. How much cholesterol is in shrimp? According to the USDA, a 100 gram serving of shrimp contains about...

Is Repatha a Viable Option For High LDL Levels?

You may have heard about Repatha, an injectable medication that is used to help lower LDL cholesterol levels for those patients who have not been successful enough with statin drugs. It is marketed by the pharmaceutical company Amgen, and is indicated for people with hypercholesterolemia and those with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (previous heart attack or stroke). Here is everything you need to know about this relatively new medication, including how it works, side effects, costs, etc. What is Repatha and how does it work? Repatha...

What are the CPR Steps For Adults, Children and Infants?

The CPR steps vary depending on who you are performing it on. Although you may have had training or taken classes recently, it’s still a good idea to brush up on your knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation as often as possible so that you are prepared in case of emergency. Learning how to do CPR is a smart idea for anyone, especially new parents, as it could mean the difference between life and death. But getting certification is one thing…having the confidence to act if called upon is something else entirely. That’s...

Congested Heart Failure Symptoms - Enlarged Heart

All About Congestive Heart Failure – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is congestive heart failure? It doesn’t mean the heart is no longer working, as the name implies, but rather that there is a buildup of fluid (congestion) that causes the heart to not be able to work as efficiently as it should. That is to say, it is unable to pump blood to the body at optimal levels, and as a result pressure builds up inside the heart. It is a condition that gets progressively worse, which is why early detection and treatment is crucial. Let’s take a look at the symptoms first and they we will look into...

Cholesterol In Eggs – Are They Really So Bad?

You’ve probably come across many people who are concerned about cholesterol in eggs…they’ll eschew them altogether or maybe they’re always ordering that egg white omelet at the diner. But believe or not, in most cases they are doing themselves a huge disservice. The truth is that eggs, yolk and all, are some of the healthiest things you can eat…one of the most complete foods nutrient-wise on the planet. But aren’t eggs high in cholesterol? Yes, on paper, eggs have a high concentration of cholesterol...