Heart Disease Prevention: The Facts

Heart Disease Prevention: The Facts

Changes To Make For Heart Disease Prevention There are plenty of myths surrounding heart health, including fad diets, fitness routines, and “miracle” cures that are marketed as a magic bullet against heart problems. The truth is, heart disease prevention takes diligence and a thoughtful approach to diet and exercise, but some basic steps can help protect your heart health for the long term. Smoking Cessation Smokers have some of the highest instances of heart problems and heart attacks of any population. The carbon monoxide in smoke replaces some of the oxygen in your blood, forcing the heart to work harder to deliver enough oxygen to your body. While that is already a large issue, tobacco contains chemicals that can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, leading to a heart attack. Both of these issues can substantially affect your heart’s function, and eventually, help lead to further problems. Smoking cessation can reduce your chances of heart problems significantly. Exercise Though many adults don’t have time in their schedules or the motivation to take on a strenuous exercise program, even a moderate increase in exercise can have an impact on your heart health. At least 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise, like walking at a brisk pace, is great support for your heart. When combined with diet, increased exercise not only increases heart health, it helps raise levels of serotonin, the feel-good chemical, as well as reduces anxiety, depression, and moodiness. Diet The word “diet” has taken on a negative connotation for many. It is not necessary to embrace a lifestyle of starvation and salads to increase your heart health....

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

As we’ve continued to describe throughout our site and on our blogs, there are many benefits to getting minimally invasive heart surgery over traditional heart surgery. The main points are with minimally invasive heart surgery, you will have a shorter recovery time, small scarring, better overall health, and some different options to better suit certain preferences (such as bloodless options for Jehovah’s Witnesses). Benefits of Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Recovery For Dr. Ciuffo’s patients, most are released from the hospital within 48 to 72 hours. Once patients return home, recovery usually lasts for two weeks before patients can return to normal activities. During the two weeks, physical activity is recommended. With traditional surgery, patients can be recovering for six to eight weeks, while their bones heal and body recovers from the much more invasive traditional heart surgery techniques. Minimal “Scarless” Cosmetic The cosmetic result of MIHS is the biggest reasons people choose minimally invasive. The incision is only about two inches long and is typically hidden under the fold of the breast. If the incision is not hidden under the breast it can be hidden under clothing very easily. With traditional heart surgery, patients will have a six to eight inch scar down the center of their chest, which is almost impossible to hide. Overall Health Overall, minimally invasive patients have a much higher overall health benefits including: survival benefits in higher risk groups, better cosmesis, less bleeding and less transfusion requirements, less wound infections and complications, less postoperative pain, faster return to normal activity, and a shorter hospital stay, all which improve the immune system’s chance of overall healing. Bloodless Option For...