CARDIOLOGY

You can find many widely available and affordable sources of protein. Animal-based foods, such as meats and eggs, provide protein that can be more easily absorbed and used by your body than plant-based proteins.

Recommended sources include:

• Eggs (all types) or egg whites.
• Dairy, including milk, cheese or yogurt.
• Fish and seafood, like trout, salmon or sardines.
• Legumes, such as chickpeas, green peas, kidney beans or lentils.
• Meats, like chicken, lean beef, turkey or pork.
• Nuts, grains and seeds, including nut butter.
• Tofu.

Protein needs vary from person to person. The amount you need depends on several factors, including your age, how much lean muscle you have, your overall health and your activity level.

Only a certain amount of protein (25 to 35 grams) can be absorbed and used at once. It’s a good idea to eat smaller amounts of protein throughout the day, rather than a lot at one meal.

The recommended percentage of daily calories from proteins is typically 10% to 35% protein. Protein contains 4 calories per gram. This means, if you eat about 2,000 calories per day, you’d want to aim for 50 to 175 grams of protein in your daily diet.

Losing weight requires you to burn more calories than you consume. Experts say you should strive to burn 500 calories more than what you eat each day. As far as how much protein to eat, Pratt says it’s best to check with a registered dietitian or other healthcare provider first if you have a medical diagnosis, such as kidney disease, that could impact your protein needs.

“Protein needs vary greatly based on your age, gender, activity level and medical history,” she says. “In general, you should make sure 10% to 35% of your daily calories come from protein and you should burn 500 calories more than what you eat each day if you want to lose weight.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) divides pulmonary hypertension into five groups based on its cause.

• Group 1 PH due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH has many different causes, ranging from underlying diseases to certain drugs. PAH makes your pulmonary arteries become narrow, thick or stiff. Less blood can flow through, which raises the pressure in your pulmonary arteries.
• Group 2 PH due to left-sided heart disease. The left side of your heart pumps out blood to your entire body. If there’s a problem on this side of your heart, it affects the right side of your heart and your entire pulmonary circuit. Blood backs up in your heart, raising the pressure in your pulmonary arteries.
• Group 3 PH due to lung disease or hypoxia. Certain lung problems cause the arteries in your lungs to tighten. Less blood can flow through your lungs, raising the pressure in your pulmonary arteries.
• Group 4 PH due to blockages in your lungs. Blood clots or scars from blood clots prevent your blood from flowing normally through your lungs. This puts more stress on the right side of your heart and raises pulmonary blood pressure.
• Group 5 PH due to other disorders. PH occurs along with other conditions like blood disorders and metabolic disorders. The exact mechanisms for how the condition triggers PH aren’t always clear.

You may be at increased risk of a heart block if:

• Your mother has an autoimmune disease, such as lupus.
• You are of older age. Risk of heart block increases with age.
• You have other heart conditions including coronary artery disease, heart valve disease.
• You have birth defects of the heart.
• You have a disease that affects the heart including rheumatic heart disease or sarcoidosis.
• You have an overactive vagus nerve (causes the heart to slow down).
• You take medications that slow the conduction of the heart’s electrical impulses including some heart medications (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin), high blood pressure drugs, antiarrhythmics; muscle relaxants and sedatives; antidepressants and antipsychotics; diuretics; lithium. Ask your provider to review the medications you take.

Blood tests are common medical tests. You may have a blood test as part of a routine physical examination or because you have certain symptoms.

There are many different blood tests. Some tests focus on your blood cells and platelets. Some evaluate substances in your blood such as electrolytes, proteins and hormones. Others measure certain minerals in your blood.

Regardless of why you’re having a blood test, it’s important to remember that blood tests help healthcare providers diagnose health issues. But blood test results aren’t diagnoses. An abnormal blood test result may not mean you have a serious medical condition.

You’re at risk for hypertensive heart disease if you:

• Have high blood pressure.
• Don’t exercise.
• Have diabetes.
• Have high cholesterol.
• Are older than 45.
• Are overweight.
• Smoke or use tobacco products.
• Eat a high salt diet.
• Drink alcohol.

Anxiety is the most common cause of palpitations that are not related to a heart problem. It’s very common to have moments of anxiety, especially during stressful situations. These situations may include job interviews, public speaking or airplane flights. Most times, these anxious feelings and heart palpitations come and go quickly.

If you have feelings of anxiety often or for long periods, talk to your healthcare provider. You may have an anxiety disorder or a panic disorder. Treatment with medication, therapy or both can help relieve your symptoms.

Risk factors for heart disease include:

• High cholesterol.
• High blood pressure.
• Tobacco product use.
• Inactive lifestyle.
• Heart disease in your family.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Having excess weight or obesity.
• Poor diet.
• Substance use disorder.

You can have different symptoms of heart disease depending on what’s wrong.

Symptoms of abnormal heart rhythms

• Pounding or racing heart (palpitations).
• Chest pain.
• Sweating.
• Lightheadedness.
• Shortness of breath.

Symptoms of heart valve disease

• Dizziness.
• Tiredness.
• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.

Symptoms of blockages in your heart’s blood vessels

• Pain, pressure, heaviness or discomfort in your chest or upper body.
• Neck pain.
• Heartburn or indigestion.
• Exhaustion.
• Shortness of breath.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Dizziness.

Symptoms of heart pumping difficulties

• Swelling in your lower body.
• Exhaustion.
• Shortness of breath.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Dizziness or sudden unexplained loss of consciousness.

Symptoms of heart problems you’re born with

• Tiredness.
• Inability to handle exercise.
• Shortness of breath.

Symptoms of problems with your pericardium

• Chest pain, typically sharp and worse with deep breathing.
• Exhaustion.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Swelling in your lower body.
• Fever.

Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in the middle of your chest. It’s not really in your heart, though. It’s caused by stomach acid rising into your esophagus (reflux), which runs through your chest, close to your heart. Heartburn is an occasional symptom for many people, and a chronic condition for others, occurring frequently. When it’s chronic, you might have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).