Can You Really Break Your Heart?
April 4, 2013
If you’ve ever had your heart broken emotionally, you know it also hurts physically. And the symptoms now have a medical name: Broken heart syndrome. According to the American Heart Association, broken heart syndrome, also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is more prevalent among women than men and is the reaction from a surge…
Sneaky Exercises
March 11, 2013
Going for a walk, gardening or taking a bike ride all contribute to a healthy life. Get Active Orlando, a volunteer initiative that promotes physical activity and balanced nutrition, calls these “sneaky exercises,” because these are activities you do as part of daily life but probably don’t consider exercising. Such activities can help you reach…
Surviving Shingles
March 11, 2013
Shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash brought on by a dormant virus in people who have had chickenpox. It rarely lasts longer than a couple of weeks and almost never returns. Those most likely to develop shingles are over 60 years old, had chickenpox before 1 year of age, and have compromised immune systems. …
Healthy Zzzz’s For Your Heart
February 26, 2013
There’s nothing worse than lying awake next to a snorer. But did you know that snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea? In recent years, snoring has been linked to an increased risk of hypertension, arrhythmias, myocardial infarctions and stroke. So don’t just nudge your partner and urge him or her to turn…
Less Fat, Less Fat
February 26, 2013
Consuming low-fat yogurts and skimmed milk, while reducing your butter, cheese and fatty snacks intake can help you lose weight-without ever dieting. A study of 73,589 men, women and children in America, Europe and New Zealand found by simply eating low fat versions of dairy foods, people lost approximately 3.5 pounds, slimed their waist-lines and…
Doctor’s Orders: Dark Chocolate (in Moderation)
February 26, 2013
Chocolate – especially the dark variety — has many health benefits. And what better time to indulge than Valentine’s Day? Chocolate and cocoa contain flavanols, natural compounds that lower blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and make blood platelets less sticky and prone to clotting. Flavanols also increase blood flow to the brain…
