News & stories archive

Many people know the symptoms of a heart attack and are somewhat familiar with the lifestyle choices that can lead to one. That can make it especially disconcerting when someone who appears fit and…

The human heart has four valves — mitral, tricuspid, pulmonary and aortic. These valves have flaps that open and close with each heartbeat. A problem with a valve, such as a valve that doesn’t close…

Heart attack. Stroke. Kidney disease. Vision loss. Sexual dysfunction. These are some of the problems you face if your blood pressure gets too high. It’s important to note that high blood pressure…

You can decide what you eat, whether you exercise or start smoking, but you can’t choose your genetic makeup. Your family history of disease is something you can’t change, yet it influences your…

Over the years, cancer treatment options have advanced, becoming more effective and targeted. The downside of these therapies, besides potentially unpleasant side effects, is the effect they can have…

Larry Anderson, 74, of Naperville, used to rely on a smartwatch to track his low heart rate. Admittedly, the smartwatch wasn’t entirely accurate. It would check his heart rate several times each day…

A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best way to prevent a variety of diseases, including heart disease. It may seem daunting to change your diet, but starting with small steps and building on your…

Most people go through the entire day without one thought about how their heart is functioning. When your heart is healthy and pumping away as intended, you don’t even know how hard it’s working. You…

The human heart is quite possibly the most significant vital organ, carrying meaning in an emotional, figurative way and in the physical, literal realm. We can have our hearts broken, wear them on our…

Is it possible to have a heart attack and not even realize it? The short answer is yes. As strange as it may sound, it is possible to have a heart attack with symptoms so mild or unexpected that they…

After the trauma of a heart attack or a heart procedure, one of the last things you may want to consider is committing to a months-long follow-up program involving exercise. Cardiac rehabilitation is…

Have you ever eaten a spicy meal and felt a burning pain in your chest afterward? It can be unsettling, especially if you worry that it means something’s wrong with your heart. Is the burning pain…