Monthly Archives: April 2012

It is no secret that obesity and heart disease are very closely linked together.  The good news is that there are simple methods to help reduce your risk of both.

• Eat Healthy – A healthy diet can be one of the strongest weapons against heart disease and being overweight.  Try to avoid foods high in sodium, sugar and saturated fats.  Eat regular balanced meals of protein, unsaturated fat, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.  Also try to avoid foods that are high in preservatives.  This will not only help keep the pounds off, but keep your arteries clear.
• Exercise – Hitting the gym not only helps to burn fat and increase your metabolism, it also helps to strengthen your heart, and increase blood flow throughout the body.

If you retain most of your weight around your waist instead of your hips, you are especially at risk for heart disease.  For these people, it is of the utmost importance to maintain a healthy weight.

Now you have more motivation than ever to put that gym membership to use.  Now get out there and become a healthier you!

For decades doctors have relied on the Body Mass Index (BMI) to diagnose weight problems.  This simple formula basically takes into account a person’s height and weight to determine their BMI.  But recent studies have found that this equation may be far too simplistic, and is misdiagnosing countless people.

By BMI standards, a bodybuilder could be considered obese, while a slender woman with little muscle mass and high body fat would be described as healthy, even though she is at risk for a number of health problems.

In the study, doctors found that 39% of the subjects tested that were simply considered overweight by their BMI would actually be classified as obese when their body fat percentage was considered.

So next time you are having your physical, ask your doctor to perform additional tests besides calculating your BMI in order to receive a proper diagnosis.  A simple misdiagnosis can lead to major problems down the road…

Our moms have told us since before we can remember that we need to brush our teeth to keep them healthy and strong.  What they never told you, is that brushing your teeth is actually good for your heart’s health as well.

Poor oral hygiene often leads to chronic oral infections (known as periodontal disease), which cause increased levels of inflammation throughout the body. Over time, this can severely damage your cardiovascular system and contribute to the development of heart disease.

A recent study has found that when compared to individuals who brush their teeth twice a day, those who brush any less than that are at a 70% increased risk of heart disease.

So take mom’s advice and brush those pearly whites.  It may just help keep you around for a few more years.

The Boone Heart Institute is proud to announce our amazing EveryHeart Foundation.  This non-profit effort was created in response to the growing number of deaths in child athletes due to undiagnosed cardiovascular disease.

EveryHeart’s mission is to make this problem a thing of the past by providing student athletes with state-of-the-art cardiovascular testing absolutely free of charge.  This testing includes echocardiography, electrocardiograms and blood pressure assessments, all designed to provide the students and their families with detailed reports on their heart health, and a step-by-step plan to increase their heart health, allowing them to perform at their absolute best.

The EveryHeart Foundation needs your help to provide students in need with this testing.  Without your donations, we cannot make this happen.  So visit the EveryHeart website today and find out more about this great new nonprofit!  Because every heart matters.

Thanks to organizations like Boone Heart, there have been immeasurable advancements in the prevention of coronary artery disease.  Unfortunately, countless people still suffer and often die from heart attacks.  It is absolutely vital to know the warning signs of heart attacks, because the sooner you can treat heart problems, the better your chances of survival.  The biggest warning signs to be aware of include:

• Chest pains/discomfort – The majority of all heart attacks suffered follow some sort of chest discomfort, which can range from uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain.  If these sensations last for more than a few minutes, or fade and come back, this may be a sign that a heart attack is on the way.
• Shortness of breath – Though often developing in tandem with chest discomfort, shortness of breath can sometimes occur before chest pains and should be taken seriously
• Discomfort in other upper body parts – The most common upper body discomfort (other than chest) experienced is in one or both arms, though some also experience discomfort in their neck, jaw, back or stomach.
• Other symptoms – These may include cold sweats, light-headedness or nausea, though these symptoms alone rarely indicate heart attack.  They usually accompany the other symptoms listed.

If you experience any or all of these symptoms, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.  Every minute matters when it comes to heart attacks!