Coffee may be an essential part of your morning routine. It wakes you up and gives you the energy to face your day. But have you ever given any thought to how coffee affects the health of your heart? Here is what you need to know about coffee and its ingredients.

Caffeine is the primary active ingredient in coffee – it is what gives you your get-up-and-go. The caffeine in your coffee causes a number of metabolic effects, which means caffeine affects several body systems. It stimulates your central nervous system, for example, which means it “wakes up” the nerves of your brain and spinal cord. Caffeine releases fatty acids from adipose tissue, so your cup of joe can help your body burn fat. The caffeine in your morning mug can also affect your kidneys to increase urination.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Coffee on Your Heart Health

There are some drawbacks to drinking coffee. Stimulating the central nervous system can make you feel nervous, anxious, or stressed, especially if you are not used to the effects of caffeine. Coffee might even make it hard to sleep, and the National Sleep Foundation says that sleep deprivation can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.

Drinking coffee can increase your heart rate, which can cause strain on your heart. Consuming coffee can raise your blood pressure too, especially if you are not used to the effects of caffeine.

Increased urination can lead to dehydration, which can cause strain on your heart. Dehydration causes a decrease in the overall volume of blood coursing through your body. To compensate for the lower blood volume, your heart must beat faster. This causes a faster heart rate and may even cause palpitations, which means you feel a noticeably rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.

Your cup of coffee may be adding to your overall caffeine intake each day. Other foods and beverages, such as tea, certain soft drinks, chocolate, and some nuts also contain caffeine.

Researchers are still investigating whether high caffeine intake through coffee and other sources might increase your risk of coronary heart disease, a condition in which waxy plaque builds up in the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.

Drinking one to two cups of coffee each day does not seem to be harmful to the heart, according to the American Heart Association. In fact, Johns Hopkins cites research that says that coffee drinkers are less likely to die from coronary heart disease, stroke, and several other serious conditions. The research also suggests that drinking one to two cups of coffee a day may help reduce your risk of heart failure, which is a condition where your heart is too weak to pump blood well.

In addition to caffeine, coffee contains other substances that may be good for your cardiovascular system. Coffee contains antioxidants, for example, which fight the damaging effects of free radicals. Other active substances in coffee can reduce internal inflammation and protect you against disease.

You should not drink coffee if you have certain heart problems, such as heart failure. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you think you have heart problems and wonder if coffee is right for you. Your doctor can order tests, such as a EBCT Heart Scan, to evaluate the health of your heart. Optimize your health and contact Virtual Imaging, Inc. today and schedule a scan for cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and colon cancer. 

Red wine lovers have yet another reason to celebrate this year — a day of national recognition for their favorite libation! National Red Wine Day is on August 28. Many red wine drinkers also celebrate the potential health benefits red wine may have on their hearts. Others worry that drinking red wine may increase their risk for health problems.

While too much alcohol can have harmful effects on your body, doctors agree that something in red wine seems to help your heart.

The Connection between Red Wine and Cardiovascular Health

The idea that red wine could be good for your heart began in the late 1980s with the “French Paradox,” in which scientists noted that the people of France had a relatively low incidence of heart disease despite their consumption of foods high in dietary fat and cholesterol.

Wine is an optional component of the Mediterranean Diet, which is a heart-healthy diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, and very little meat.

The results of many studies suggest that drinking red wine can improve cardiovascular health. Many of these studies point to the antioxidants in red wine. Antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation that cause free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage body cells to cause disease.

The incidence of heart disease is lower in people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol, according to the American Heart Association, which defines moderate consumption as no more than one 4-oz glass of wine per day for women and no more than two glasses per day for men.

Consuming more alcohol than that actually increases your risk for high blood pressure and stroke. Imbibing too often or drinking too much can also cause an irregular heartbeat.

Certain people are more vulnerable to health risks associated with regular consumption of red wine. Those with a history of alcohol abuse or alcoholism should not drink wine, of course, and people with liver disease or certain other diseases should avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol may cause muscle aches in people taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. Wine also contains sugar and calories, which are concerns for people with diabetes or who are trying to lose weight.

Give your heart a reason to celebrate this National Red Wine Day with a heart scan to determine if your heart is healthy enough to drink red wine. Optimize your health and contact Virtual Imaging, Inc. today and schedule a scan for cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and colon cancer. 

From fresh food to outdoor activities, summer is a great season for cardiovascular health.

The arrival of summer means days at the pool, outdoor activities, and family picnics. Summer also provides extra opportunities to improve your heart health. The warm weather and longer days allow you to squeeze in more exercise, for example. The season also gives you a chance to enjoy your favorite summer foods. Here are the top five summertime foods that can improve your cardiovascular health.

The Five Sensational Summer Foods You Need for a Healthier Heart

1. Avocados

   Avocados are a heart healthy alternative to butter or mayonnaise. Slathering on a ¼ cup serving of pureed avocados or tossing a one-quarter cup of diced avocados onto a salad provides six grams of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, yet it is only 90 calories, which is less than a tablespoon of mayo or butter. Monounsaturated fat can lower cholesterol, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

2. Tomatoes

   Tomatoes are one of summer’s tastiest heart-healthy foods. There is a wide variety of fresh tomatoes available from July to October. Anything, from cherry tomatoes to Roma tomatoes, are grown during those months. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which helps protect your body cells from damage and may also lower your cholesterol.

3. Salmon

   Eating a 4-ounce serving of wild-caught salmon two times each week supplies you with all the essential omega-3 fatty acids you need for cardiovascular health. These fatty acids help to lower your risk of sudden cardiac death, reduce the formation of blood clots, and slow the accumulation of plaque in your arteries. Omega-3 fatty acids can also decrease triglycerides, which are a type of fat.

4. Dark leafy greens

   Dark leafy greens are not just for salads anymore! Your summer sandwich cries out for fresh red or green leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, or spinach. Add kale, collards, turnip greens, Swiss chard, and red or green cabbage to your favorite salads or summertime dishes. Dark leafy greens have the fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your heart needs for good health. These greens are also low in calories, with a cup of raw spinach providing only 7 calories.

5. Fresh fruit

   Is there anything better than fresh fruit on a hot summer day? Probably not! A serving of fresh fruit is the ultimate refreshment on a hot day, and it helps your heart stay healthy. Diets rich in fruits can help lower your blood pressure. The water in fruit can also keep you hydrated on hot days.

For more information on the best foods to eat for optimal heart health, speak with a doctor, nutritionist, or other health professional. Schedule an appointment today with Virtual Imaging, Inc by calling 770-730-0119.

If you are like most people, you want to keep your heart as healthy as possible. You may know that heart disease is common, according to the American Heart Association, which says that more than 85 million Americans are living with some form of cardiovascular disease or after-effects of stroke.

Your doctor can be one of your best allies when it comes to keeping your heart healthy. You may not be getting all the help you need from your doctor, though, simply because you do not ask the right questions while you are at the office. Here are seven heart health questions to ask at your next doctor visit.

7 Heart Health Questions to Ask at Your Next Doctor Visit

1. How high is my cholesterol?

   High cholesterol can lead to the accumulation of fat and plaque in your blood vessels, which increases your risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems. There are several types of cholesterol, including “bad” LDL, “good” HDL, and triglycerides. Ask your doctor if your cholesterol levels are within normal limits.

2. What is my BMI?

   You may know that your body mass index (BMI) has a lot to do with your heart health. BMI is a measurement of body fat based on your height and weight. A high BMI means you may be overweight or obese, and carrying excess weight increases your risk for heart problems. If you are like many people, though, you may not know how to calculate your BMI.

3. Am I at high risk for heart disease?

   Some people are at higher risk of heart disease than others. Certain risk factors increase the chances that you will develop cardiovascular disease. The key risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Nearly half of all Americans have at least one of those risk factors. Other risk factors include being overweight or obese, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, and excessive alcohol use.

4. Should I see a nutritionist or registered dietitian to learn more about healthy eating?

   Nutrition plays an important role in heart health. If you are like many people, you want to eat healthier but you may not be sure what foods you should eat.

5. What can I do to lessen my risk of heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke?

   Your doctor can help you review your risk of heart disease and suggest ways to reduce that risk.

6. Should I undergo heart screening?

   A heart scan can detect the development of plaque in the arteries and, if plaque is present, determine how much plaque has built up.

7. How often should I undergo screening?

   People at high risk of heart disease because of a personal history of heart disease, a family history of cardiovascular disease, or high risk factors for heart disease should undergo screening more often than those who are at average risk.

Print out your list of questions and take the list with you when you visit your doctor. Be sure to bring a pen so you can write down the answers as needed. Schedule an appointment with Virtual Imaging, Inc. today and take steps towards protecting your heart.

You might remember chia seeds from a popular toy; these are the same seeds you smeared on Homer Simpson’s head to grow an afro. You may not realize that chia seeds are more than fun – they are actually good for you. Despite their small size, there are a number of health benefits packed into chia seeds.

4 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

1. Omega-3 fatty acids

   Chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential nutrients your body cannot make for itself. Omega-3 fatty acids help boost levels of HDL cholesterol, which is the “good” cholesterol that protects you against stroke and heart attack.

2. High in fiber

   One ounce of chia seeds, which is about two tablespoons, provides 10 grams of fiber. Research shows that consuming 14 grams of fiber per every 1,000 calories can protect against coronary artery disease, a type of heart disease. A high-fiber diet also provides a number of other health benefits, including making bowel movements more regular, lowering cholesterol levels, controlling blood sugar, and even aiding in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. The fiber in chia seeds helps you feel satisfied after even a small meal, which helps you lose weight.

3. Antioxidant powerhouses

   Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, which counteract the damage that free radicals can have on body cells. Free radicals can interact with other molecules and, when they do, the interaction causes a type of damage known as oxidative stress. A growing body of research shows that oxidative stress from free radicals is associated with a number of illnesses, including a type of heart disease known as atherosclerosis, as well as cancer, joint problems, diabetes, and certain types of eye diseases. Free radicals can even cause certain types of lung problems, such as asthma.

   The antioxidants in chia seeds fight free radicals and reduce the risk for health issues associated with oxidative stress.

4. Chia seeds are high in nutrients

   A tablespoon of chia seeds provides 18 percent of the calcium you need for strong teeth and bones. It also provides 27 percent of your daily phosphorus needs, 30 percent of the recommended daily allowance of manganese, and smaller amounts of potassium and copper. Chia seeds are low in cholesterol and sodium, so they are a sensible part of a heart-healthy diet.

Perhaps the best thing about chia seeds is that they are easy to eat – just sprinkle chia seeds on your oatmeal, mix them into muffins, or bake them into bread or other recipes. In addition to eating chia seeds to improve your health, contact Virtual Imaging, Inc. today and schedule a scan for cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and colon cancer.