The holidays are the time of year when items like cakes, cookies, pies, chocolates and egg nog are hard to avoid. But do you know the long-term damage that these sugary treats can cause to your arteries and your heart?

According to experienced FL physicians, people who are obese, have high blood pressure or blood cholesterol, and those who have had heart problems in the past are more likely to suffer a heart attack during the festive season – December and January. Associated problems like stroke and diabetes are also common during this period.

As observed by FL physicians and doctors, heart attacks and stroke are often a result of an unhealthy lifestyle of excess – and in United States, at no time of the year are we more likely to indulge in excess than at the holidays. Though Florida does not experience a "White Christmas" as the classic song says, the cooler temperatures and shorter days still whets the appetites for some people to indulge at office parties and holiday gatherings. It is good to enjoy the festivities, but doing so while remaining heart-healthy is important.

At a single holiday dinner, it is possible for you to take in more calories than you need for the whole day—in just one sitti! However, it is typically not just a 'one day' scenario – most people tend to overeat throughout the holiday season and we can't forget to mention alcoholic beverages and cigarettes at Christmas parties and social gatherings.

You can make a huge difference simply by cutting out all of those tempting, but 'lethal', items until the main holiday celebration like Christmas Day, allowing yourself just one ‘cheat’ day. Such items include things like red meat, high sugar cakes, cookies and chocolates, and limiting yourself to one to two glasses of wine or alcohol only. Smoking is strictly off limits and you should quit completely. No cheat day with cigarettes—ever. Excess intake of salt is also bad and chips, salted nuts, pretzels must be avoided by those who value unclogged arteries.

If you feel that this leaves no way to enjoy the holidays, you are wrong. Our cardiologists can suggest numerous healthy and tasty food alternatives that you can enjoy during the holidays minus the fat and cholesterol. Try to eat more vegetables, beans and lentils – they can be used to make delicious low fat dishes such as baked bean quesadillas, vegetarian enchiladas and burritos. Such meals can be filling and will not even make you feel guilty after a big lunch. Creamy desserts can be substituted by colorful seasonal fruits tossed into a nice salad or non-fat Greek yogurt. If you find it hard to socialize without a drink in hand, try alternating with sparkling water or fruit juice, or else enjoy a wine spritzer or beer instead of hard liquor.

Florida Heart Group wishes you all a joyous holiday season! Feel free to speak to the best FL physicians and Florida cardiology doctors for any tips on heart healthy eating during this special time of year.

People who have been diagnosed with heart diseases or are at a high risk of developing such problems need to take all possible precautions to maintain a good health. Imbalanced lifestyle, excessive stress and poor diet aggravate the signs and symptoms of vascular diseases. It is wise to consult experienced cardiology physicians at the earliest for required prescriptions. At Florida Heart Group, we have round the clock services for diagnosis and treatments of vascular diseases. Our team of cardiologists also helps patients to follow good diets and exercise regimes for healthy living.

When you refer to diets for patients of vascular diseases, good and bad cholesterol are often quoted terms but the actual difference between the two may not be very clear. Cholesterol is a steroid lipid (fat) present in blood of all animals – it is required for proper functioning of our cell membranes and also for production of hormones. It cannot dissolve in the blood and has to be transmitted to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. Egg yolk, caviar, processed meats, shell fish, and oil packed fish are typically high in cholesterol. In medical terminology, high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is called "good" cholesterol while low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is referred to as 'bad' cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein HDL: This is made up of small and dense molecules that make it possible for cholesterol to reach the liver. It is considered 'good' for the body as it helps eliminate cholesterol from the arteries and prevents the formation of plaques. HDL cholesterol is also less likely to oxidize – this further helps to prevent sticky plaques on the walls of artery.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): This transmits majority of cholesterol through the bloodstream and delivers it to the cells of the body. The molecules are larger, less dense, and less stable as against high density lipoprotein. They readily oxidize and deposit plaques on arterial walls and can therefore clog arteries to cause the development of cardiovascular disease. This is why LDL is referred to as the "bad" cholesterol.

When the total cholesterol level is checked, a high amount of HDL does not indicate any problem but if the level of LDL is high, it is important to consult a cardiology physician. If your total cholesterol number is 200 and HDL level is 50, your total cholesterol ratio is 4:1.As per American Heart Association (AHA), ideal cholesterol ratio should be at or below 5:1.

Florida Heart Group has all modern facilities for diagnosis and treatment of heart and peripheral artery diseases. We also have services for emergency angina treatment. Meet our doctors for any concerns on heart and vascular problems.

For angina treatment cardiology doctors in Orlando may use appropriate medication (Nitroglycerin tablets and Beta blockers), and other procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting or stents.

A person who has had a heart attack or has been diagnosed with heart related problems also needs to incorporate some changes in lifestyle and eating habits. At times these changes need to be brought under special medical supervision. Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program through which cardiology physicians help to improve the health and well-being of people who have had heart problems. Cardiac rehabilitation services are prescribed for patients who have had a myocardial infarction, have had coronary bypass surgery, or have chronic stable angina pectoris.

It is now recognized that cardiac rehabilitation programs, in certain circumstances may also be required for those who are at high risk of coronary heart disease, and with other evidence of vascular disease.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs were originally introduced in 1950s and 1960s in Florida heart hospitals to facilitate recovery from acute cardiac events. In Orlando, doctors participating in the program counsel their patients to reduce stress and help them return to an active life. Apart from helping in quick recovery after angina treatment, cardiac rehabilitation programs function as launching pads for prevention of further cardiovascular diseases. Education, counseling and behavioral interventions to promote lifestyle change and modify risk factors are an important part of cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Cardiac rehabilitation program can help a person to:

• 1. Recover from a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and also from a surgery for heart diseases.
• 2. Prevent prolonged hospital stays, heart problems, and fatal heart problems in future.
• 3. Address risk factors that lead to coronary heart problems and other vascular diseases. These include hypertension or high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, smoking, inadequate physical exercises, depression and other emotional health concerns.
• 4. Adopt healthy lifestyle changes – heart healthy diet, effective stress management, simple exercises for a healthy lifestyle

Exercise programs at cardiac rehabilitation centers are conducted by a physiotherapist or exercise specialist and are tailored to individual needs while being conducted in groups.

At Florida Heart Group, we have a team of the most experienced Orlando doctors for diagnosis of vascular diseases and angina treatment. Our cardiologists also participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs to help patients recover completely from cardiovascular problems.

Here are some tips by Orlando female cardiologists that can go a long way in prevention of heart diseases in women:

Physical Fitness is the most important factor making up for a healthy lifestyle.

Women must try to stay fit through regular exercises. Physical exercises can also be as simple as choosing to walk instead of driving to nearby places or 30 to 40 minutes of regular yoga. Cycling, skipping, jogging and few minutes of aerobics can also be enjoyable exercises for those who dislike hardcore workouts.

Maintain a Healthy Diet.

Women who have had cardiovascular problems in the past or those who are obese need to be very careful about their diet. A Mediterranean diet proves good for patients of heart diseases. This comprises more of fresh vegetables and is low in processed carbohydrates.

Keep Your Cholesterol Levels in Check.

Women with a family history of heart diseases or stroke should get their cholesterol checked periodically. Female cardiologists in FL heart hospitals advise that even young women need to be careful about these things. High blood cholesterol and high BP indicate risks of heart problems in future. These risks can be controlled through diet improvement, exercising and losing weight. If these measures fail, medication prescribed by cardiologist need to be taken.

Keep Your Heart "In Check."

A heart checkup is required for women at age of 40 if they have a family history of heart diseases or are personally impacted by heart attack risk factors. For women who are otherwise healthy and have no family history of heart problems, heart checkups are not essential till the age of 55.

Women need to take precautions against stroke. Stroke prevention is very similar to heart disease prevention. Blood thinners and cholesterol drugs called statins can be used to prevent these problems. Women are twice more likely to have heart stroke than men.

Florida Heart Group is the most trusted name when it comes to treatment of heart and vascular diseases. Our team of best Orlando doctors including female cardiologists makes this possible. We have helped several heart disease patients in Orlando, Oviedo and Altamonte Springs to live better, healthier lives. Contact us for any concerns related to heart diseases.

The studies pertaining to women and heart attack prove that women are just as likely to develop heart diseases as their male counterparts. However, cardiovascular diseases in women tend to develop ten years later than men. 



Most of the women have a greater risk of heart problems when the female hormone estrogen begins to dwindle, around the age of 50.

Researchers for women and heart attack studies believe that estrogen, which regulates menstruation, protects women against heart attack by increasing a substance in the blood called high-density lipoprotein (HDL). This prevents blockages in the arteries. HDL carries cholesterol away from the arteries and out of the body. Pre-menopausal women have much higher levels of HDL cholesterol than men the same age.

Symptoms of heart attack and other cardiac symptoms can be very different in women than in men. Angina, the symptom typical to a heart attack may not necessarily be in the form of chest pain for women as in men. Angina can be in the form of a burning sensation for females. There may be a tenderness felt in back, shoulders, arms or jaw and but no chest discomfort at all.

Cardiologists have also checked that an actual heart attack and acute coronary syndrome behave differently in women than in typical male. A heart attack in a woman can cause sudden breathlessness, nausea, indigestion, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue. A doctor who may not have a good knowledge of women heart attack symptoms may term such signs as a case of indigestion, dehydration, or exhaustion.

Women are also more likely than men to have "silent myocardial infarctions" – that is, heart attacks without any acute symptoms at all. These can be diagnosed only retrospectively when subsequent cardiac symptoms occur. However the signs and symptoms of heart attack should not be ignored and an appropriate medication or treatment should be taken in time. Death caused by major attacks can be averted if heart attack warning signs are responded to early.

The female cardiologists at Florida Heart Group have helped several women in preventing the painful stages of heart diseases. With an excellent understanding of women and heart attack, our doctors help their patients live better, healthier lives. Feel free to contact a cardiologist at Florida Heart Group for any questions related to heart and vascular diseases.

Earlier this month music icon Barry Manilow revealed that he has struggled with a serious heart disease called atrial fibrillation (AFib) for a long time now. He has joined forces with Sanofi US to introduce a national awareness campaign about AFib called “Get Back in Rhythm.”

Manilow tells about his experience:

“When I first experienced AFib more than 15 years ago, it was really scary — it felt like a fish flopping around in my chest,” said Manilow. “I thought I knew about all the risks, but it turns out I didn’t, so I was really lucky I had such great doctors helping me manage it from the start.”

“At first, I kept my AFib private because I didn’t want to acknowledge there was something wrong with my heart. But now I realize a lot of my fans and so many others could be affected, so I want to do all I can to help them take it seriously, understand all the risks of AFib and seek the best care,” admits Manilow. “The bottom line is AFib needs more awareness. Patients need more education. No one should settle for a life out of rhythm.”

AFib is a complex disease and many patients may not recognize the symptoms or the full range of health risks associated with it.7 This is why Manilow encourages those affected by AFib to visit www.GetBackInRhythm.com, to test their AFib knowledge with the Rhythm IQ quiz, learn more about all the risks of the disease and print a guide that can help make the most of visits with healthcare providers.



About Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)


AFib primarily affects people over the age of 65 and the risk of getting AFib increases as people age. As the “Baby Boomer” generation gets older, it is estimated that 12 million Americans will have AFib by the year 2050. In addition to age, other conditions may increase the risk for developing AFib including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, drugs (alcohol, other stimulants) and surgery. AFib often requires more than one type of treatment to manage symptoms and health risks.

While 30 percent of people with AFib do not feel any symptoms, others may experience pounding or fluttering in their chest (palpitations), shortness of breath, weakness and anxiety or fear about what is happening. Even when a person does not experience symptoms, AFib can lead to permanent heart damage, heart attack, heart failure, stroke and death.

Today, approximately 2.5 million Americans have AFib and that number is expected to grow to 12 million by 2050. AFiB is a serious heart disease that causes the heart to race and beat out of rhythm. It can lead to permanent heart damage, heart attack, heart failure, stroke and death.

Visit us today at Florida Heart Group to learn more about this dangerous condition. And be sure to learn how to recognize the symptoms of atrial fibrillation so that you can protect yourself.

Heart Failure is a condition in which the heart fails to pump adequate amount of blood throughout the body. It does not imply that the heart has completely stopped functioning or is about to stop functioning. A heart failure is the sign that your heart is unable to pump the blood in the way it ideally should. As per Florida heart hospital doctors, heart attack warning signs and angina can also cause heart failure.

The condition of heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart becomes weaker. It may then impact left, right or both sides of the heart. In most of the cases the problem involves the left side where the heart cannot pump enough oxygen rich blood to the rest of the body. With the right sided failure, the heart cannot effectively pump blood to the lungs where blood picks up oxygen.

According to cardiologists of a Florida heart hospital, the major causes of a heart failure include coronary heart diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes. Other causes of heart failure include:

- Cardiomyopathy
- Diseases of the heart valves
- Abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmias
- Congenial heart defects (the heart problems a person is born with)

Heart Failure may happen to anyone but it is more common with people more than 65 years of age.

Florida heart hospital cardiologists inform that shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, which is one of the symptoms of heart attack, can also be a sign of heart failure. The victim may also feel tired and experience a swelling in legs, feet or ankles.

Physical examination, EKG, chest X-ray and BNP blood tests are the ways through which cardiologists typically diagnose heart failure in Florida heart hospitals. If the results of tests are positive, appropriate medications and life style changes are advised by the doctor. The underlying causes of the problems including coronary heart diseases and high blood pressure are also treated.

Florida Heart Group is a well known Florida heart hospital with experienced Orlando cardiologists. We have facilities to diagnose heart problems including heart failure correctly and also have special procedures for timely angina treatment. Ignoring even mild symptoms of heart attack or heart failure could be a big risk factor and this is why it is important to consult your cardiologist in time. Florida Heart Group has round the clock facilities for your convenience and well-being.
 

When the original food pyramid was published by the USDA in 1992, we scrambled and stressed to incorporate a specific number of servings into our daily diets. But this June, the department decided to change things. They rounded out the shape into a plate called MyPlate, with the goal of making it easier for Americans to visualize a well-rounded diet.

We like the new update, and we think it’s really great for families, especially for children who probably never could firmly grasp the pyramid’s concept. This new shape is relatable to the dinner table; it’s also fresh, colorful, and easy to understand.

MyPlate allows Americans to really visualize their meals, focusing on vegetables and grains (make half of them whole grains), with a blended intake of protein and fruits; dairy on the side—the least amount of servings (we recommend fat-free/low-fat milk or yogurt).

According to a 2011 survey from FMI U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends, almost 50% of customers admit that their diet could be healthier. We think MyPlate makes it easier for people to do so.

First Lady Michelle Obama introduced the new plate and endorses it wholeheartedly: “"I can't help but look at my own plate a little differently," she said. "We're implementing this in our household."

A refresher on Proteins, Grains, and Dairy (We’re sure Vegetables and Fruits are self explanatory):

Protein: Beef; poultry; fish; eggs; nuts and seeds; and beans and peas like black beans, split peas, lentils, and even tofu and veggie burgers. Protein builds up, maintains, and replaces the tissues in your body.

Grains: Bread, cereal, rice, tortillas, and pasta. Whole-grain products such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, and brown rice are recommended because they have more fiber and help you feel full.

Dairy: Milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified soy milk. With MyPlate, the dairy circle could be a cup of milk, but you also can get your dairy servings from yogurt or cheese. Choose low-fat or nonfat dairy most of the time.

The Food Plate: A new symbol for healthy eating. Expect to hear more about MyPlate in the coming months. In the meantime, you can visit www.choosemyplate.gov.

The heart is the command center of circulatory system but many medical conditions afflicting the heart may also impact the network of arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the limbs. Such damage is known as Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Arterial diseases can cause narrowing or blockage of vessels in legs and other parts of the body, located away from the heart. Narrowing of these peripheral arteries is similar to the narrowing of coronary arteries. In coronary heart disease, the narrowing of arteries causes chest pain and sometimes a heart attack. In peripheral arterial vascular disease, however, the common symptom is leg pain due to decreased circulation. The veins that send blood from the limbs back to the heart, are also vulnerable to a variety of disorders that may cause the formation of blood clots or inflammation.

Some common diseases of veins include:

• Venous Thrombosis: Sluggish movement of blood or damage to the lining of vein are two basic causes of this disorder. The symptoms may not always show in all patients but shortness of breath and coughing out blood tinged phlegm can be some signs of severe Venous Thrombosis. Pain and swelling in the affected leg are also possible. For treatment, doctors prescribe anticoagulant and blood thinning drugs. If these do not help and symptoms still persist, insertion of filtering device or Vena cava filters may be required to prevent pulmonary embolism.

• Chronic Venous Insufficiency: This is caused by complications following deep vein clot. Swelling and discoloration of one or both legs are the symptoms of this disorder. The treatment for Venous Thrombosis is also prescribed for Chronic Venous Insufficiency.

• Pulmonary Embolism: If a deep vein clot moves to the lungs, it may cause Pulmonary Embolism. Shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, rapid pulse, cold sweat, and cough with blood tinged phlegm are some symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism. Anticoagulant and blood thinning drugs are prescribed to prevent the clot from growing, while body dissolves existing clots on its own. In severe cases, insertion of Vena cava filters by vascular physicians may be necessary. 

The peripheral vascular system is as important as your heart and the symptoms of peripheral vascular diseases cannot be ignored. The correct medication and required treatment must be availed before the symptoms become more painful. At Florida Heart Group, we provide all services for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular problems. Our doctors and support staff have enabled thousands of patients throughout Florida to live longer and healthier lives.

Heart attacks kill millions of people worldwide and have known to impact both men and women. The attack occurs if the flow of oxygen rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly stops. If the blood flow is not resorted quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die.

Coronary heart diseases lead to heart attacks in majority of cases. This is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen rich blood to the heart and when the plaque builds up in arteries it creates a condition called atherosclerosis. The build up of plaque occurs over many years. Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture the inside of an artery. This causes a blood clot to form on the surface of plaque. If the clot becomes larger, it can mostly or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery. If the blockage is not treated quickly, the portion of heart muscle fed by the artery begins to die. Healthy heart tissue is replaced with a scarred tissue. This heart damage may not be obvious or may cause severe or long-lasting problems.

A heart attack often starts with mild symptoms that may not be painful. Many victims feel a tightness or squeezing sensation in the chest. Medical help must be availed for attack warning signs including:

• Pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of chest
• Pain spreading to arms, shoulders and neck.
• Sudden weakness, dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea or breathlessness.

If a patient already has had angina pains in past, any change in frequency, duration, intensity of attacks or any symptoms that do not respond to nitroglycerin may also indicate a heart attack. Symptoms of heart attack in women may not include chest pain. Flu like symptoms, specifically nausea,  cold sweats and unexplained fatigue are more common in female victims.

Orlando doctors at Florida Heart Group use advanced cardiovascular procedures to help heart attack victims and have helped thousands of heart patients to live longer and healthier lives. On noticing even mild or painless signs of a heart attack, medical help must be taken at the earliest. If you have been feeling any of the typical symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.