Tag Archives: Heart Health

10 Foods to Help Heart Health During Menopause | Fullerton, CA

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Heart HealthyIt’s frightening but it’s a fact: Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. And if that wasn’t bad enough, women who have had their ovaries removed are especially at risk. So what’s a girl to do? Beat the odds by replacing the junk food in your cupboard with these heart-healthy foods, recommended by the American Heart Association!

Whole grains. Whole grains, like brown rice and quinoa, are packed with many nutrients that refined grains are stripped of, like fiber, folate and iron. A study by the Whole Grains Council proved that replacing refined grains with whole grains can lower the risk of heart disease by up to 28 percent.

Leafy greens. Greens such as kale and spinach are great sources of fiber, antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals that contribute to heart health. They are easy to find and are very versatile in recipes.

Extra-virgin olive oil. This healthy fat can make a great heart-healthy substitute for butter. See where you can make the switch in your next recipe!

Raw, unsalted almonds and walnuts. These make great snacks, salad additions, and toppings. A ¼ cup a day can boost your protein and lower your cholesterol. Just be careful, eating too much more than that, could lead to packing on a lot of unnecessary calories and fats.

Tomatoes. This veggie is high in antioxidants that protect the heart. Plus, this convenient little fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) is a super easy add-in to any recipe.

Fish. Fish are high in Omega-3s, which are known to benefit the heart. Many doctors recommend adding fish to your diet at least a couple times a week.

Beans and Lentils. Versatile and extremely healthy, beans and lentils are a great way to add fiber, protein, and iron to almost any meal.

Grapes. They may be tiny but grapes are packed with antioxidants, making heart health a little sweeter. In addition to antioxidants, they also provide phytochemicals that protect the cardiovascular system.

Berries. Filled with fiber and antioxidants, berries make great, heart-healthy desserts any time of the day.

Dark chocolate. Now that’s a change I can make to my diet, am I right, ladies? Adding just a little bit of dark chocolate to those berries and you’ve got yourself a divine, guilt-free dessert. Of course, this doesn’t give you the green light to eat chocolate all day, but studies do show that eating a small amount of dark chocolate a few days out of the week can help lower your blood pressure and improve blood flow.

If you would like to take the first step towards good heart health, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 to schedule an appointment today .Or visit www.gordongunnmd.com for additional information regarding women’s health. 

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding Orange County areas.

Heart Disease Prevention Tips

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of about 610,000 people every year. However, there are certain risk factors that make some people more likely to develop heart disease. Those risk factors are divided into two categories; modifiable risk factors which you can control, like weight, and non-modifiable risk factors which you can’t control, such as genetics.

Fortunately, your lifestyle choices can influence your heart health immensely. With lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, exercise, quitting smoking and managing blood pressure, diabetes and stress you can greatly reduce your risk of developing heart disease. The following list includes steps you can take towards preventing heart disease:

Quit Smoking- If you do smoke, one of the most crucial steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease is to quit smoking. Smoking causes plaque buildup in the arteries, which will eventually lead to the hardening of the arteries. Not only does smoking damage your organs, it also worsens other risk factors for heart disease. It lowers your amount of good cholesterol and raises blood pressure, which in turn, can cause increased stress on your arteries. In just one year after quitting, your risk for heart disease is reduced by 50%.

Heart Healthy Diet- Your nutrition and diet play a big role in heart disease prevention. According to research, a diet that’s high in raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains and omega-3 fatty acids can go a long way in reducing your risk of heart disease. You’ll also need to avoid or limit food or beverages that can worsen heart disease. This includes foods and drinks high in salt and sugar, alcoholic beverages, and foods that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. It’s also important for you to watch your calorie intake. Focus on eating foods that are high in nutrients and low in calories.

Exercise- Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are both vital in lowering blood pressure and preventing heart disease. Most experts recommend getting 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, or most days of the week. Your exercise doesn’t even have to be intense. Activities such as taking your dog for a walk, doing some gardening or cleaning your house all count as exercise. The main goal of exercising is to maintain a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight will help lower blood pressure and reduce risks for other health complications.

Lower Blood Pressure- Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is known as “the silent killer” since it usually goes without symptoms in most people. High blood pressure can contribute to heart disease and cause increased stress on your cardiovascular system. You can lower your blood pressure by exercising, eating heart healthy, managing weight, avoiding stress, and smoking. If you do have high blood pressure, work closely with your health care provider and monitor your blood pressure regularly.

Avoid Stress- Though it’s still not fully understood, there is a link between people who experience high amounts of stress for long periods of time and heart disease. Stress can cause pain, headaches, sleep loss and body exhaustion. If you deal with chronic stress, it can cause your heart to work harder and worsen any other risk factors for heart disease you may have. Exercise, yoga, meditation and letting go of worries are all things you can do to reduce your stress.

Manage Diabetes- Diabetes is a very serious risk factor for heart disease. If you do have this medical condition, be sure monitor your blood sugar levels. Your health care provider may recommend certain lifestyle changes to help keep your blood sugar under control. Those certain lifestyle changes will help reduce your risk for heart disease.

While being diagnosed with heart disease can be quite alarming, there are many lifestyles choices you can make to help prevent this terrible disease. All of the things mentioned above can have a significant impact on heart disease prevention.

Make yourself a priority and ask Dr. Gordon Gunn about his Lifestyle Longevity Program by contacting his office in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com for additional information.

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Diamond Bar, Walnut Creek and surrounding area.

What is Patent Ductus Arteriosus? | Heart Health

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Heart Health

A Patent Ductus Arteriosus, more commonly referred to as PDA, is a condition where the heart’s ductus arteriosus doesn’t close, leaving an unclosed hole in the aorta. The ductus arteriosus is a vessel that’s an essential part of fetal blood circulation and is connected to the major arteries – the aorta and pulmonary artery. Before a baby is born, the fetus doesn’t need to use their lungs to get oxygenated and the ductus arteriosus allows the blood to skip the circulation to the lungs.

However when a baby is born, their blood must get oxygen from their lungs and the patent arteriosus is supposed to close within the first few hours or days after birth. If the patent arteriosus remains open, the blood can skip a necessary step of circulation and allow oxygen-rich blood from aorta to mix with the oxygen-poor blood from the pulmonary artery. A Patent Ductus Arteriosus can cause strain to your heart and increase blood pressure in the lung arteries, affecting your heart health.

Although, PDA is a congenital heart defect seen at birth, but it can be missed and identified later on in life at any age. If your baby has a PDA but otherwise is still heart healthy, the PDA may shrink and go away. However, some children and adults require treatments to close their PDA.

How does the PDA affect me?

If the PDA is small, it won’t cause many symptoms or problems with your heart because the blood flow and pressure in the heart and lungs aren’t changed much from normal. The only abnormality that a doctor may find would be a distinctive type of heart murmur.

If the PDA is large or moderate, you may become breathless more easily due to reduced heart function and high pressures in your lungs. High pressure can occur in your lung vessels because more blood is being pumped there than normal. Over time PDA can cause permanent damage to your lung blood vessels.

How does the PDA affect my heart?

Normally the heart’s right side only pumps blood into the lungs and the left side pumps blood to the body. If you have PDA, extra blood is circulated and extra blood get pumped from the body (aorta) artery into the lung (pulmonary) arteries. If your PDA is large, the extra blood being pumped into the pulmonary arteries makes the lungs and heart work harder, and your lungs can become congested.

It’s crucial to pay attention to your heart health to live a healthy and fulfilling life. To get heart healthy today, contact Dr. Gordon Gunn in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211. Visit www.gordongunnmd.com if you would like to learn more about heart health.

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding areas.

American Heart Month | Live Heart Healthy

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The month of February marks American Heart Month, the perfect time to get heart healthy. According to the American Heart Association, a devastating 951,000 Americans will be told that they have heart failure this year. Heart disease causes 1 in 4 deaths a year and is the leading death for men and women in the United States.

Fortunately, heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Striving to live a heart healthy life can be simple if you’re dedicated. Simple changes in your lifestyle can make a big difference in your heart health. Here are some ideas for getting you started toward a heart healthy life:

  • Schedule an appointment with doctor to talk about your heart health. It’s important to schedule regular check-ups, even when you’re not sick. You can partner up with your doctor to set goals to improve your heart health.
  • Add exercise into your daily routine. You could start the day off by talking a 15 minute walk, 3 times a week. Then come mid-month you could increase your time to 30 minute walks, 3 times a week.
  • Increase healthy eating. Start cooking heart healthy meals at least 3 times a week. Also make your favorite recipe lower in sodium by swapping out salt for fresh or dried herbs and spices.
  • Take the first step to quit smoking. If you smoke, quitting the terrible habit can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
  • Take your medication as prescribed. If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, talk with your doctor about the importance of high blood pressure or cholesterol medication. If you’re having any issues taking your medication or have any side effects, contact your doctor.

Take charge and start living a heart healthy life today. For more information regarding your heart health, contact Dr. Gordon Gunn in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211. Visit www.gordongunnmd.com for to learn more about how you can live a heart healthy life.

Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly servers Buena Park, La Miranda, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding areas.

7 Ways to Start the New Year off Heart Healthy

Heart Health,

466715409Today marks a New Year which means if you’re looking to get heart healthy, today is the day to start down that path! Being diagnosed with problems such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol should be a wakeup call to start to strive toward a healthier lifestyle. Good news is, there are many ways to prevent and even go about lowering both your high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Some of those way include the following:

  • Lowering Weight/ Maintaining Healthy Weight
  • Eat Heart Healthy Meals
  • Be or get more active
  • Reduce Blood Sugar
  • Manage Blood Pressure
  • Don’t/Stop Smoking
  • Control Cholesterol

Making heart healthy changes before you develop conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol is extremely crucial. Many of us aren’t aware that heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the US, so taking action to keep your heart healthy is very important.

If you’re ready to get heart healthy today, contact Dr. Gordon Gunn in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 or to visit our website at www.gordondunnmd.com to learn about the Lifestyle Longevity Program that Dr. Gunn offers.

Dr. Gordon C. Gunn proudly serves Buena Park. La Miranda, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding places.

 

5 Tips to Stay Heart Healthy This Holiday Season | Fullerton, CA

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The Holiday season is a time of excitement and anticipation for most, but the change in routine and the increased stress levels can also increase your chance for heart attack or stroke. With that being said, it’s extremely important to keep your heart health in mind during the holidays. The following includes five tips to reduce stress and to keep heart healthy during the Holidays this year:

  • Stay Active- Even during the madness of the holidays, it’s important to stay active, keep your heart health in check and avoid excess weight gain. Try to do active chores around the house, taking your children to the park or even exercising for 15 minutes to reduce stress and keep yourself heart healthy.
  • Eat Healthy- Before you dig into all of the delicious holiday’s meals and sweets, keep your heart health in mind. These heavy meals and sweet treats may have extra calories and sodium, so try eating a healthy snack before indulging these meals to fill you up first and give you the nutrients you need.
  • Don’t Over Do It- It can be quite stressful working holiday parties, events and family get-together’s into your normal routine. During these times you may find yourself having to wake earlier or work later, but make sure not to overexert yourself. Try planning your days ahead of time and assessing what you need to get done and what things you can drop from the list to reduce stress.
  • Drink Wisely- Most holiday parties and festivities typically involve alcoholic beverages, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still make healthy choice. Rather than choosing to drink a sugary cocktail, try choosing a red wine or club soda with your choice of liquor instead.
  • Take Time for Yourself- The holidays are meant to be a joyful and reflective time. Make sure you make time to focus on yourself. Do something that makes you happy like meditating, reading a good book, taking a long bath or cooking something you love. Taking time to treat yourself helps minimize stressors and increases positivity.

If you would like to learn more about living a heart healthy lifestyle, contact Dr. Gordon Gunn in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 or visit our website at www.gordongunnmd.com for more information.

Dr. Gordon C. Gunn proudly serves Beuna Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding areas.

Improve and Manage Your Heart Health | Heart Health Fullerton, CA

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Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US? Heart attacks are commonly caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which leads to the blockage of oxygen and blood flow to the heart muscle. It’s extremely important to learn what steps you can take to improve and manage your heart health to live a long healthy life. To help you do so I have provided five ways you can go about improving your heart health:

  1. Stay Active- Staying active doesn’t mean you have to work out for an endless amount of hours. You can do anything physical that keeps your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes. Need Ideas? Try jogging, walking, biking or hiking.
  2. Stop Smoking- Most people know that if you are smoking tobacco products you are more like to develop heart disease. So if you do smoke…drop the habit and quick, for your hearts sake.
  3. Shut Down- When you are sleep that’s when your body is recovering and rebooting. While you sleep you heart rate is lowered which gives your heart a much needed break. Make it a priority to get a proper amount of sleep.
  4. Chill Out- Learning how to relax does wonders for your heart. When you are under pressure your body ramps up adrenaline, which can exhaust your heart. Need ideas on how to handle stress? Try doing yoga, going on a walk, listening to calming music, or even talking to a trust friend or professional.
  5. Healthy Eats- The way to eat heart healthy hasn’t changed in hundreds of years, so the classis choices are still you best. Try incorporating whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds into your diet.

Now is the time to start becoming aware of your heart health. If you have questions or concerns regarding your heart health, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn, MD in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com for more information.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding areas.

Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Tips | Heart Health Fullerton, CA

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Every year, millions of Americans suffer from a heart attack, and nearly half of those heart attacks are fatal. As for strokes, they are the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in men and women. It’s very important to know what steps you can take to prevent heart attack and stroke from occurring, it’s time to take control and get heart healthy. The following include tips you should take to heart to prevent heart attack and stroke:

  • Don’t Smoke– If you’re already a smoker, you should stop or find programs to help you quit. As you should already know, smoking is very unhealthy. Nicotine actually narrows and restricts blood vessels.
  • Exercise- You should exercise daily, or at least walk two miles a day. You don’t need to walk those two miles all at once, exercise doesn’t just burn calories. Exercise also activates genes that are very beneficial to your health.
  • Reduce Stress- Stress contributes to heart disease, and if it is severe enough it can cause a heart attack or even sudden death. Try to reduce stress by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, volunteering and laughing. Also, try to avoid stressful situations and people that make you anxious or angry.
  • Watch Your Cholesterol- Having high levels of LDL (“Bad”) cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol levels can be improved with exercise and healthy eating habits.
  • Eat Heart-Healthy- Eating a healthy well balanced diet can reduce your risk of getting heart disease. Make sure to eat your fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Take care of yourself by getting heart healthy today! For more information about heart health, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn, MD in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to learn more.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and all surrounding areas.

Lifestyle Change after a Heart Attack | Heart Health Fullerton, CA

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After having a heart attack you may feel overwhelmed with anxiety and fear, you may also feel like your world has be flipped upside down. It takes time to fully recover from a heart attack but don’t let that stop you from pushing forward. A lifestyle change is the best way going about recovering, listed below are a few common lifestyle changes you may want to take charge of.

  • Stop Smoking- Smoking cigarettes is one of the primary risk factors in heart disease. One of the most important things you can do is quit smoking cigarettes. In just one year after quitting your risk for heart attack drops severely.
  • Healthy Diet- Eating a well-balanced diet keeps blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and body weight within healthy rages, which can greatly reduce risk of heart attack.
  • Control Stress and Anger- When stress or anger are uncontrolled it can lead to increased risk of heart disease. Skills Such as yoga, relaxation and time management can lower risks.
  • Body Weight- Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight to lower your risk of heart attack. Being overweight makes the heart pump harder due to having to support the extra weight.
  • Exercise- Physical activity is a key factor in maintaining long-term heart health after suffering from a heart attack. Enrolling in cardiac rehabilitation is a recommended step towards resuming normal physical activity.
  • Medication- Taking medication is considered a lifestyle change because taking your medication at the right times can be vital and takes some time to adjust to a new schedule.

If you fear you may be at risk of having a heart attack and would like more information, contact Dr. Gordon Gunn, MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to learn more about heart health.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and surrounding areas.

What is Broken Heart Syndrome? | Heart Health Fullerton, CA

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Not many people have heard of broken heart syndrome, but did you know some mistake broken heart syndrome with a heart attack. Like a heart attack, broken heart syndrome has similar symptoms such as increased heart rate, shortness of breath and chest pain.

Broken heart syndrome, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, can strike even the healthiest of people, but the exact cause is still unclear. Women are more likely to experience sudden chest pain (a surge of stress hormones) which is caused by the emotionally stressful event. Known triggers of broken heart syndrome are unexpected death of a loved one, divorce or separation, betrayal, or even a surprise party. In broken heart syndrome, a part of your heart enlarges for a short period and doesn’t pump as well, while other parts of your heart function just fine.

What makes broken heart syndrome different from a heart attack?

  • EKG (test that records hearts electric activity) results aren’t the same as someone who is having a heart attack.
  • Tests show no signs of blockage in the coronary arteries.
  • Blood tests show no or little signs of heart damage.
  • Tests show ballooning of the lower left heart chamber.
  • Fast recovery time, typically within days or weeks.

In some cases broken heart syndrome can be life threatening, but the good news is most people usually tend to make a full recovery.

Take care of yourself and get heart healthy today by contacting Dr. Gordon C. Gunn, MD at 714-912-2211 or visit www.gordongunnmd.com to learn more about hearth health.

Dr. Gordon Gunn also proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut and surrounding areas.