A picture is worth a thousand words
One of the most common complaints patients come into my office with is palpitations or irregular heart beats.There are many different reasons why patients feel palpitations. Some are totally benign (not serious) and others are dangerous and need to be actively worked-up and treated. The first step in diagnosing a palpitation is trying to determine exactly what the heart is doing while a patients is feeling the palpitations. We have many different types of monitors to do this with - depending on the frequency and duration of the patient's symptoms.Now I have a new weapon and its as simple as an app on an iPhone The iPh...
Source: Dr Portnay - October 14, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Caffeine and Atrial Fibrillation
THANK GOODNESSAs I lover of coffee, I read a recent report of the lack of connection between atrial fibrillation and caffeine with much relief. Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent sustained malignant heart rhythm in adults and a leading cause of stroke. 2 recent studies were published evaluating over 115,000 patients. In the end it was found that caffeine exposure is not associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation. In fact, low-dose caffeine may even have a protective effect.I would discuss this finding with your physician but for now, I will continue to drink my beloved dark roast with more reassuran...
Source: Dr Portnay - October 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Could your sleep be hurting your heart?
For many, snoring is not just an annoying habit that drives your loved ones crazy, it is a symptom of sleep apnea. Other signs of sleep apnea include sleepiness during the day and headaches in the morning.Sleep apnea is a serious breathing issue.This condition has be shown to seriously impact the heart. Studies have shown that sleep apnea is linked to hypertension, abnormal heart rhtyhms, heart attacks, heart failure and death. Continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP) is an effective treatment. CPAP can greatly reduced the frequency and severity of apneic episodes. Two recent studies have shown that using a ...
Source: Dr Portnay - October 8, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Depression and Heart Failure - Another Reason to Exercise
It has long been known that depression occurs frequently in patients suffering from heart failure (HF). Recent trial data has shown that ~ 40% of patients with HF can be classified as having symptoms consistent with depression or severe depression. Patients with HF and depression symptoms more frequently have worse scores on quality of life symptoms (fatigue, lack of energy, listlessness ...). Do drugs for depression work? A recent trial showed that when sertraline (a classic SSRI anti-depression medication) or placebo was administered to patients, there was difference in symptoms or outcomes. What does work? A recent tri...
Source: Dr Portnay - October 3, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Positive Attitude Boosts Exercise, Longevity Among Heart Disease Patients, Study Suggests
Here's an excellent article on the benefits of trying to keep a positive attitude. While life can be very stressful, those who keep a positive attitude not only are happy but exercise more and are healthier. Therefore, try and smile more ;-)http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3894583 Positive Attitude Boosts Exercise, Longevity Among Heart Disease Patients, Study SuggestsSep 11, 2013Attitude is everything, at least for people with heart disease, a new study suggests.The research, published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, shows that having a positive attitude is tied to a longer lif...
Source: Dr Portnay - October 1, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Making the Case for Eating Fruit - NYTimes.com
I believe very strongly that eating whole fruits and vegetables is an essential part of a "heart healthy" diet. This is a good article that I thought you would enjoy. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/making-the-case-for-eating-fruit/?_r=2 Making the Case for Eating Fruit By SOPHIE EGAN Tony Cenicola/The New York Times Experts agree that we are eating too much sugar, which is contributing to obesity and other health problems. But in the rush to avoid sugar, many low-carb dieters and others are avoiding fruits. But fresh fruit should not become a casualty ...
Source: Dr Portnay - August 7, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
How to Trick Your Brain to Create a New Healthy Habit
I thought this was a great article. http://lifehacker.com/how-to-trick-your-brain-to-create-a-new-healthy-habit-868231704 How to Trick Your Brain to Create a New Healthy HabitHave you ever started a diet or exercise program but didn't stick with it? If you're like millions of other people, you've set out with the best intentions but failed to keep the momentum going. Here's why relying on motivation and willpower doesn't work (and what works instead). When you begin any new self-improvement program, your enthusiasm is high and you're motivated by the pleasure of what you want or the pai...
Source: Dr Portnay - July 25, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Statins and their risk/benefit
A recent large Meta-analysis (a study which combined the results of 135 randomized trials) has shown that statins did not significantly increase risk for myalgia (muscle pain), myopathy (muscle weakness), rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) or cancer as compared with control treatment. There was a slight increase in the risk of diabetes. I remain a strong believer in the benefit of statin therapy to reduce heart attack, strokes and death in patients with known heart disease and in those at intermediate-to-high risk for heart disease. See my prior blog posting explaining my rationale. I have also previously written ab...
Source: Dr Portnay - July 23, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Happy 4th of July
Happy Independence DayNo work - what a great day to get out and exercise!!! Go for a walk. Go for a run. Go swimming. Go for a hike. Along with all the hot dogs and hamburgers, remember to fill up on salads and fruits. Stay away from regular sodasTry not to drink too much alcoholHave fun but be healthy (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - July 3, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
4 simple lifestyle changes that can save your life
There are risk factors that people can't control, such as their family history (genetics) and age. However, there are lifestyle changes that people can make that will significantly reduce their risk of developing heart disease. In a new study recently published, researchers have shown that getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight and especially not smoking, protects patients from coronary heart disease and the early build-up of coronary calcium (hardening of the arteries). The presence of coronary calcium has been shown to increase your risk of heart attacks, stroke and death. Th...
Source: Dr Portnay - June 19, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Doc - What's that on you wrist?
For the past few months, patients have notice and asked me about the device I wear on my wrist.I have been wearing the Nike FuelBandThis device which I wear on my wrist inspires me to get active by recording all of my acitivity and converting it into a new fitness currency - NikeFuel. The more active I am, the more NikeFuel I am rewarded with per day. What is Nike fuel "Unlike calorie counts, which vary based on someone's gender and body type, NikeFuel is a normalized score that awards all participants equal scoring for the same activity regardless of their physical makeup."Nike FuelBand users can decide at the ...
Source: Dr Portnay - June 19, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Fitness tools that tap the power of your friends - CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/03/tech/mobile/fitness-gadgets-motivation/index.html?cid=sf_twitter I love using tech to help me stay motivated. Of the 7 tools mentioned in this article, I use RunKeeper and I wear a Nike Fuelband. I'm thinking about trying out Zombies, Run! If you use technology to help keep you motivated - let us know which ones and how it is working for you. (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - June 7, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Women, Sleep and Heart Disease
This study also helps to shine a light on the potential gender differences that physiologically may exist between men and women. Please remember to get your sleep and practice healthy sleep habits:maintaining a regular sleep-wake scheduleavoiding caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and other chemicals that interfere with sleepmaking your bedroom a comfortable sleep environmentestablishing a calming pre-sleep routinegoing to sleep when you're truly tirednot watching the clock at nightusing light to your advantage by exposing yourself to light during the day and limiting light exposure in the eveningnot napping too close to yo...
Source: Dr Portnay - June 7, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Think your job is going to kill you, heart healthy living may be able to save you
Studies have shown that high stress jobs are bad for the heart. My patients routinely report to me that the stress of work is effecting not just their emotional but physical well being. New evidence now suggests that heart healthy living and avoiding known lifestyle risk factors: smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and heavy drinking, can reduce the chance of symptomatic heart disease. Of the 102,128 healthy participants in the studies, 15,986 reported job strain. That subset was then sorted into these groups: healthy (no lifestyle risk factors), moderately unhealthy (one risk factor), and unhealthy (two to fo...
Source: Dr Portnay - June 7, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Dog ownership may save your life
There is a growing body of evidence that pet ownership, particularly dogs, leads to improved cardiovascular health. Dog owners exercise more and therefore:- have lower cholesterol levels- have lower BP- have less stress Take home message: Exercise is vital to cardiovascular health. While you definitely do not need to own a dog to be healthy, if you need motivation to be active or want/need company when you exercise -- consider the heart healthy benefits of dog ownership. (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - May 13, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
