Heart & Vascular Center

Saving Women, One at a Time

Growing up in a small town in Iowa, I fantasized about becoming a hero like the ones on TV. My dad liked westerns so I grew up watching “The Rifleman,” “The Big Valley,” and every Saturday night while my mother put curlers in our hair, we were allowed to stay up late and watch “Gun smoke.” I learned early on that death and destruction were eminent. The poachers, rustlers and all-around bad guys waited at the door to destroy us, our families and all things precious. Women were the keepers of the hearth and home. Audrey, Miss Kitty the like, had to perform many death defying acts to save the ranch. Afterward, they seemed to have perfect hair and make-up even during shoot-outs and escaping kidnappers.

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Holiday Depression

The holiday season can be a time of joy, cheer, parties and family gatherings. But for many, it can also be a time of self reflection, loneliness, memories of past failures and anxiety about an uncertain future.

Causes
Researchers still have a lot to learn about why people become depressed. Some say it is caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters). There’s also a genetic connection. Research indicates that depression in the family can increase your risk. Being diagnosed with a serious disease or medical condition can also cause depression. For instance, people who have suffered a heart attack have a 65 percent risk of developing depression. Women are also two times more likely to have depression when compared to men. Some seasons or situations can trigger depression such as Christmas, holidays, death of a close family member or friend, divorce or a traumatic event.

Seasonal depression, oftentimes referred to as the “holiday blues”, can be caused by stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, financial stress, and/or difficulty dealing with friends and family. Demands of shopping, parties, family reunions and house guests can also cause feelings of tension. Even more people experience a holiday letdown after January 1. This can result from disappointment after the holidays in addition to stress and fatigue.

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What's all this talk about Vitamin D?

Did you know that Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin, but a metabolic hormone targeting more than 2,000 genes in the human body?

The skin produces 10,000 IU of Vitamin D during 20-30 minutes of summer sun exposure. That is equivalent to more than 50 glasses of milk or 10 multivitamins, neither of which is recommended.

How can a lack of Vitamin D impact my overall health?
Current research has associated Vitamin D deficiency with the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer; heart disease, stroke, hypertension, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, birth defects, periodontal disease and more.

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Signs and Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

Signs and Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
Do you feel tired all the time? Does your upper back hurt? Are you more short of air when doing things around the house? Maybe it’s something you’ve tried to ignore, assuming it has to do with your age. But in reality, it could be a severe health issue known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

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