Winters in the Denver area are typically very snowy, and shoveling snow off sidewalks and driveways is a regular part of life throughout the cold months. However, it’s important to understand the ways shoveling snow can impact your health, especially if you have a heart condition. There is considerable research indicating that shoveling heavy snow may increase your risk of a heart attack. Shoveling snow may not seem like hard work, but it can put significant strain on your heart. This is especially true when the snow is wet and heavy, or when you are shoveling large quantities of snow after a ..read more

Spring is right around the corner. As the weather starts transitioning from cold, snowy conditions to warmer temperatures, you can reduce the number of days a week you spend in the gym and replace some of those workouts with your favorite outdoor activities. But before you jump right back into outdoor workouts, it’s important to make sure your body is prepared for the differences in indoor vs. outdoor exercise. This is especially true if you have a heart condition. Gyms are controlled environments, and this impacts both the physical and mental aspects of your workout. The physical demands of e ..read more

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 30 million American adults have been diagnosed with the condition, and approximately 647,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. Due to the seriousness of this condition, it’s critical that you are aware of the warning signs. Often, early detection of heart disease can help prevent a potentially life-threatening issue, such as a heart attack, from developing. What Is Heart Disease? Heart disease refers to a variety of conditions that impact your heart. The most ..read more

There isn’t a better way to welcome February than talking about chocolate’s health benefits. Many people will give loved ones a bit of chocolate for Valentine’s Day. But is chocolate good for you? Let’s take a look. For Optimal Health Benefits, Eat Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate has many health benefits and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. There are many healthy ways to incorporate a small amount of dark chocolate into your lifestyle, so find what works for you. Dark chocolate is a promising source of powerful antioxidants, particularly the flavonol epicatechin. Flavonols are plant co ..read more

February is American Heart Month. This annual month-long commemoration began in 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson, who had previously had a heart attack, declared that February would serve to raise awareness about the dangers of heart disease and to promote ways to live a more heart healthy lifestyle. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), someone dies from heart disease every 33 seconds, and approximately 805,000 Americans have a heart attack every year. At South Denver Cardiology Associates, we’re ..read more

An irregular heartbeat, often referred to as an arrhythmia, is a condition that occurs when the electrical impulses in your heart don’t work properly, causing a problem with the rhythm or rate of your heartbeat. This may result in your heart beating: Too quickly Too slowly With an irregular rhythm While many arrhythmias aren’t serious, there are situations when this condition can be very dangerous and even life threatening. When you have an arrhythmia, your heart may struggle to pump enough blood to the rest of your body, which can potentially result in issues that can impact your ability to ..read more

As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to begin looking ahead at what we have in store for 2024. This process is typically associated with setting goals for what we want to accomplish over the next year. While we all will set unique goals associated with our own personal journey, it’s always important to make sure some of these goals focus on your health. Mental health has been a trending topic in recent years, and for good reason. The pandemic created a variety of challenges for everyone, and this has resulted in many people struggling with mental health issues. Regardless of whether m ..read more

The physical challenges associated with heart disease are well documented. However, this is only part of the story for many people. It’s common for individuals with heart disease to also struggle with depression. Approximately 20% of individuals who have a heart attack develop depression shortly after, and roughly 30% of individuals with heart failure develop depression. It’s critical to seek treatment for depression after developing heart disease. Unmanaged mental health issues can exacerbate your heart condition and potentially increase your risk of a future cardiac event. Impact of a Heart ..read more

The holiday season is here. For many people, this time of year provides an opportunity to connect and celebrate with family and friends. While these holiday celebrations can be joyous occasions, they are also often a source of stress for many individuals. Whether your holiday stress is caused by the demands of hosting large gatherings, interacting with estranged family members, juggling a hectic schedule of holiday events, dealing with feelings of loneliness, or any other reason, this increased stress can have a significant impact on your heart health. At South Denver Cardiology Associates, we ..read more

Very few holidays involve as much gluttonous, excessive eating as Thanksgiving. While traditional Thanksgiving meals are filled with a wide range of rich, flavorful, delicious dishes, many of these options aren’t good for your heart health. While preparing a heart healthy Thanksgiving meal is ideal for all people, it’s especially important if someone in attendance has heart disease. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor to have a heart healthy Thanksgiving meal. With several strategic ingredient substitutions, you can make many of your favorite dishes healthier without diminishing yo ..read more