Posts by Shawna Cook
Dealing with Anxiety around COVID-19
These are unprecedented times, and so it’s no wonder our anxiety levels are heightened. As we know the stress this anxiety causes is not good for us, or our hearts. Stress is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, so to protect our heart, we need to do what we can to reduce our anxiety surrounding…
Read MoreHow does the Coronavirus impact those with Cardiovascular Disease?
COVID-19 has the world watching very closely and leaving many with very real concerns. Having Cardiovascular Disease does not make you more likely to contract the virus, however it does put you at a greater risk for complications should you get it. Here are some of the reasons why those with CVD should exercise a…
Read MoreI am Sick! Should I Exercise? How about my Heart?
So, I am currently on day 5 of my “Man Cold”. My symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough and congestion. These are pretty standard symptoms for a viral upper respiratory tract infection. I must say, however, that this one has been a little tougher than most I have experienced. I am getting very tired of…
Read MoreTAVI…The (Less Invasive) New Kid on the Block
If your Aortic Valve is no longer working the way it is supposed to, you may need to have it replaced. The Aortic Valve is the one-way valve between the Left Ventricle, which is the largest pumping chamber of the heart, and the Aorta, which is the “stump” of the vascular “tree” that delivers oxygen…
Read MoreSternal Precautions following Open Heart Surgery
Have you had open heart surgery? Here are some things you need to know as you begin your recovery process. Many of you will have been given information from the hospital or your doctor after you were discharged from hospital. Commonly this advice tells you not to lift anything more than 5 pounds, and restricts you…
Read MoreStrength Train For Your Heart Health
Did you know that after the age of 40 you begin to lose 3%-8% of your muscle mass per decade, and after the age of 70 this muscle mass loss increases to 15% per decade? This loss of muscle mass is the fundamental cause of falls, and disability in older people. As we lose muscle mass we…
Read MoreExercising With Heart Pain
If there is plaque building up in the walls of the heart arteries (coronary arteries), they start to get narrow in that area. This means that the amount of blood trying to flow past that area is reduced compared an artery that is clean and clear. These coronary arteries are what deliver oxygen carrying blood to the…
Read MoreHeart Healthy Changes to Canada’s Food Guide
Canada’s Food Guide has gone through an overhaul, and the result has some great new recommendations to help keep Canadian Hearts Healthy! What’s different: There has been a shift from the four food groups we are used to with recommended servings in each, to a more simple “pattern of eating” approach. The food guide recommends filling…
Read MoreHeart Healthy Eating: Making Nutrition Goals Stick
Hello Pulse Cardiac Health Family!! Many of you are looking to start fresh, with a renewed sense of motivation to get a few things back on track. One of the most popular focus points is diet. Many are looking to shed some of the weight from special treats you’ve been eating, and just overall looking…
Read MoreHeart Wise Holiday Tips
Happy December to all! For many, December marks the official launch of the holiday season. The sights & sounds of the season are in full force, along with a myriad of seasonal festivities. Holiday parties, family gatherings, and potentially even some well-deserved vacation time are upon us. With all of these events filling our calendar…
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