Heart Disease
I 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 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…
Read MoreTargeting Belly Fat and Preventing Heart Disease
Increased body weight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It increases your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, not to mention its impact on your daily life! The main measure used in determining your body weight risk is your waist circumference, which gives us a measure of the largest part of your…
Read MoreHealing After a Pacemaker or ICD
Understanding what you can or should be doing after your surgery is important to give you the best recovery possible. It is very normal for people to feel unsure about doing anything with the affected side out of fear of pulling out wires, or simply wanting to protect the area from pain. In fact, however,…
Read MoreThe Keto Diet and Heart Disease
The Keto diet has been a hot topic amongst our members for the last little while. It is a low carb, high fat content diet that is touted to help with the weight loss battle. Without getting into the details behind how the diet is supposed to work, the reason this diet in particular is…
Read MoreFeeling Dizzy? Check Your Blood Pressure
Today I dealt with a common problem many members face, low blood pressure. After finishing exercise, and resting in a chair for a few minutes, this member went to get up and leave for the day. When he stood up he felt a wash of dizziness, a little clammy, and unsteady on his feet. After…
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