by DrCiuffo | Feb 27, 2018 | Blog, Uncategorized
Determining a healthy heart rate can help you create a plan for increasing your overall heart health by incorporating exercise into your routine. Your resting heart rate may vary from what is considered healthy for another individual. Very-fit individuals have a slower resting heart rate. In general, a slower heart rate indicates a more efficient heart function. Determining Your Resting Heart Rate To determine your resting heart rate, it will be necessary to take measurements several times throughout the day over a period of time to get an average. Begin by finding a quiet place where you can sit for five to ten minutes without being disturbed. Sit quietly until your breathing is normal and your body feels relaxed but not sleepy. Locate your pulse, either at the side of your neck or on your wrist. Once you find your pulse, count the number of beats for 15 seconds. Multiply that number by four to get your average heart rate. Take your pulse several times throughout the day, making sure to take it at the same times each day to get your average over time. What Should My Healthy Heart Rate Be? For the average adult, a normal heart rate range is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. If your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute, or below 60 beats a minute, it’s important to discuss your heart health with your doctor. Other signs of heart problems may include dizziness, shortness of breath, or feeling faint or actually fainting. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. You may be having... by DrCiuffo | Feb 21, 2018 | Blog, Uncategorized
Take Your Own Blood Pressure At Home If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, or are simply considered at a higher risk for high blood pressure due to smoking, alcohol use, stress levels, hereditary factors, or other reasons, your doctor may recommend that you monitor and take your own blood pressure at home. With an inexpensive blood pressure cuff available at most pharmacies or online, it’s easy to take your own blood pressure at home and monitor for spikes that might indicate heart disease. Timing You may experience spikes in your blood pressure due to stress, drinking caffeinated drinks, taking certain medications, cold temperatures, or smoking. Take those factors into consideration when deciding upon a time to take your blood pressure. Thirty minutes after your second cup of coffee, for example, you may get an elevated measurement. Choose a consistent time to check your blood pressure every day to get a good idea of whether it’s fluctuating. Your doctor may want you to take it more than one time per day to check for changes throughout the day. Prepare and Relax Prepare to take your blood pressure by finding a quiet space. You’ll need to be able to hear your heartbeat. Empty your bladder before you begin- a full bladder may affect your reading. Make sure you’re comfortable and relaxed. You’ll want to sit in a chair with your arm resting comfortably at heart level for five to ten minutes to allow your heart to settle into a steady rhythm that gives you an accurate reading. Find your Pulse Gently press your index and middle fingers to the inside... by DrCiuffo | Jan 11, 2018 | Uncategorized, Blog
Facing heart surgery can be deeply concerning. Any surgery that involves an organ as critical as the heart is risky. Minimally invasive heart surgery benefits include, offering an alternative to traditional surgical techniques which may reduce the risks and the recovery time associated with heart surgery. Not only are the risks associated with traditional procedures reduced, minimally invasive techniques mean that less or no donated blood is necessary, easing religious concerns for many. High Risk Heart Surgery If you’ve been told by your medical team that you are not a good candidate for heart surgery because of your condition, minimally invasive heart surgery may provide an alternative. When you come in for your initial consultation, we’ll take a full medical history and preform a thorough medical examination. Even patients who have been told their condition is inoperable may benefit from minimally invasive procedures that reduce blood loss and trauma. With a small incision and by avoiding the broken bones normally associated with opening the chest cavity, minimally invasive surgery provides a shorter recovery time and an option for patients who may otherwise be considered too medically fragile for traditional surgical options. Bloodless Heart Surgery Benefits Dr. Ciuffo has spent much of his career developing and perfecting bloodless heart surgery techniques. His work has helped move the technique forward. He started investigating bloodless and minimally invasive options to assist Jehovah’s Witness congregations, but soon discovered that the techniques are less traumatic and more effective for all heart patients. Avoiding transfusions provides several heart surgery benefits as well. Preparation, precise surgery, and excellent follow-up care come together to provide our patients... by DrCiuffo | Sep 15, 2017 | Uncategorized
Heartburn affects millions of Americans every year. Spicy, rich foods, overindulging in alcohol, and even our favorite morning cup of java can set off what feels like a 3 alarm fire in your chest. Sensible eating and lifestyle choices can assist in avoiding heartburn or eliminating it altogether. There is no need to give up your favorite foods. Moderation and awareness are the keys to eating heartburn-free. Discovering your Triggers Many foods are known to cause heartburn. Rich, fatty foods and heavy meals are triggers for most people. Others may discover that, in spite of the folk wisdom of a peppermint “calming” the stomach, mint is a trigger. Carbonated sodas are another common culprit. Some, however, may find that a few foods commonly related to heartburn have no effect on them, while normally-“safe” foods ignite a blaze. Consider keeping a food diary to track the foods that trigger episodes. By tracking your intake and episodes, you can pinpoint foods which trigger heartburn. Avoiding Heartburn: Common Culprits The “trigger foods” are different for everyone, but there are certain foods which commonly cause heartburn in most individuals: Coffee Chocolate Alcohol Carbonated drinks Rich, heavy, or fatty foods Spicy foods Citrus Grains While it’s not reasonable or even possible to avoid all of the foods which may trigger heartburn, you can choose options that are less likely to trigger heartburn and enjoy foods in moderation, reducing the risk of an episode. Portion Sizes Matter Even the blandest foods can trigger heartburn if you over indulge. Choose smaller meals, and eat more frequently throughout the day. This not only allows your body to digest... by DrCiuffo | Jul 18, 2017 | Uncategorized, Blog
Your diet is key to improving and maintaining heart health, but exercise also plays an important role. Your doctor can help you create and maintain a set of fitness goals based on your medical history, lifestyle, personal desires and abilities. Most exercise programs are flexible enough for every participant. You may need to start out slowly, walking for example, rather than jogging, but the best way to begin is by starting slowly and working your way up to more strenuous activities. Exercise Goals You should be aiming for about 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 days a week. If you’re not able to sustain that level of activity, then do what you are able and work up to your goal. Stretching and warming up are important parts of the exercise routine. The point of aerobic activity is to raise your heartrate for a sustained period. Types of Exercise Depending on your fitness level and abilities, there is a fitness option for everyone. Most people start by walking, and work up to jogging or running. If you have joint issues, however, you may wish to consider alternatives like yoga or swimming. Be sure to talk to your doctor about target heartrates during activity. You should be able to hold a conversation during your workout. If you can’t catch your breath, you could be pushing your body too hard. Avoid Fitness Ruts Alternating exercises is important to staving off boredom. There’s nothing worse than dreading your workout because you’re doing the same old thing day in and day out. If walking or jogging don’t appeal to you, consider joining... by DrCiuffo | Jun 27, 2017 | Uncategorized, Blog
Facing heart surgery can be a challenging experience. Good preparation not only maximizes your chances for a fast recovery, it helps to calm the nerves and provide you with a sense of control over what’s happening. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully for the best possible outcome from your procedure. Cut out Nicotine and Alcohol Quit smoking, and avoid alcohol for at least two weeks before your surgery. Nicotine and alcohol both inhibit healing. Alcohol impairs the immune system, liver function, and natural blood coagulation. Nicotine reduces the amount of oxygen your blood is able to carry to the cells. Take Deep Breaths If your care team has given you a device called an incentive spirometer, use it and use it often. The device is designed to help you take slow, deep breaths, which improve lung function. Begin using the device as early as possible before your surgery, and use it as often as possible to reduce your chances of pneumonia and other post-surgical breathing problems. Visit Your Dentist If you have any cavities or other dental work that needs to be done, do it sooner rather than later. Discuss any dental work you’ll need to have done with your surgeon well ahead of time. Abscesses and infected teeth can create an infection in the heart’s lining, so your surgeon may require that you have any dental work completed before scheduling your heart surgery. Prepare the Family Finally, it may be helpful to have one family member who will act as an information relay for friends and family. Because of privacy concerns, your medical team will be unable to release...
