Put that Red Bull down… and the can of Rock Star as well! The “high energy” drinks are not so hot for your heart. This isn’t brain surgery, caffeine raises the ol’ blood pressure thus cardiac issues.
Shortly after consumption, your systolic rate increases by over 7.5% and diastolic raises 7% and heart rate is up 7-10 beats per minute. And why is this? Here ya go…
Most energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and taurine, an amino acid also found in protein-containing foods such as meats and fish. Both have had effects on heart function and blood pressure in …read more

When you really stop and think about it, aren’t you more active in the summer months than the winter months? I think I am with the pool, walks in the evenings and running with the kids all day long. So this little tidbit of information shouldn’t come as a huge surprise.
A five-year study found people treated in the summer were on average 8% more likely to see their blood pressure come down to healthy levels.
These same findings were reported from 15 VA hospitals across the US. Not only are blood pressure’s elevated in the winter months but the incidence of …read more

Have you ever thought, “what happens to my heart during sex?” I watched a special on the discovery channel a few evenings ago and learned more than I ever wanted to know about my body and sex! And I still find it interesting, well actually sad, that we do not incorporate sexual education into our cardiac patients treatment plan.
Let’s get real, your heart definitely gets a workout during the horizontal hokie pokie. Not enough to cancel your gym membership, but enough to mention. Here is a peek at how your heart reacts during the 4 stages …read more

I walked a 5K this morning at Bulle Rock golf course for Women’s Heart Health. That would be the same course that the ladies of the LPGA are playing this week for the McDonalds Championship. Like I said before, it is so cool to have this literally in our backyard.
After the walk they provided a breakfast and health screenings for us, ie. blood pressure, body fat, BMI, and cholesterol. Love having that body fat done, you know? It wasn’t that bad. At least when you know, you can do something about it. We also had a …read more

All right, ya’all. A little summary of hearty tidbits that have either… made me mad, fired me up, were very welcomed or just plain out caught my eye.
First of all, I we will be welcoming a guest blogger over the next few weeks. I am excited to say that Mark, from Mark’s Daily Apple will be joining us for a few fitness tips and give us ways to squeeze in our very needed cardio gym time. He is an ex-professional endurance athlete (Ironman) and all around healthy guy! Look forward to reading his words …read more