Hometown Health Blog
Understanding your heart test: What to expect, how to prepare
Hearing you need a test on your heart may be scary, but understanding the purpose of the test can help put you at ease. Learn about common heart tests, and get practical tips to help you prepare.
Know your numbers: What is your heart rate?
The better you understand your heart rate, the more you can maximize your movement to give your heart a good workout. Learn why your heart rate matters and how to find your target heart rate.
More than stress: What you eat affects your blood pressure
Stress can increase your blood pressure, but so can what you eat. This eating plan can reduce or control blood pressure while reducing risk of stroke and heart attacks.
Isometric exercise: Using body weight to lower blood pressure
Isometric exercise focuses on contracting specific groups of muscles. Learn why it's gaining attention for its role in controlling blood pressure and how to do some exercises at home.
Follow a cholesterol-lowering diet during the holidays
The average adult consumes more than 4,000 calories during a holiday meal. If you follow a low-cholesterol diet, you still can enjoy foods you love. Here’s how to wisely plan your food choices.
Remarkable recovery after minimally invasive heart surgery
An unexpected cardiac diagnosis led Steve Bernstein, M.D., to research minimally invasive surgery for aortic valve replacement. He found an expert team in Eau Claire.
What's that sound? A heart murmur can be innocent or serious
Lupp-dubb. Lupp-dubb. Your heart has a steady regular beat. Sometimes though, an extra heart sound like humming is heard, called a murmur. Find out when a heart murmur is innocent or serious.
Beyond open-heart surgery: A minimally invasive approach to treating a leaky valve
As people age, so does the prevalence of mitral valve regurgitation. Learn about a new minimally invasive surgery available an alternative to traditional open-heart surgery to treat a leaky valve.
Manage your risk of carotid artery disease
Carotid artery disease develops slowly, and the first sign that you have the disease may be a stroke. Learn the risk factors and treatments performed by a vascular medicine specialist.
Close-to-home care critical for heart attack survivor
Having a clinic close to home, quick response from the local team and effective care by a Cardiology team led to Karren Smith's good outcomes following a heart attack. Learn more from her story.
PAD: The other arterial disease
Peripheral arteries carry oxygenated blood to the arms, legs and brain. Just like coronary arteries, they can become diseased. Learn about the symptoms and treatments for peripheral artery disease.
Effects of hot weather, humidity on blood pressure, heart
High temperatures and humidity can cause serious health consequences for people with high blood pressure and heart disease. Learn warning signs that your body isn't keeping up with the heat.
