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When Neck Pain Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Local Heart Disease Survivor, Mary Hunt, Shares Her Diagnosis and Treatment Story by TERESA SCHIFFER Do you know what the number one killer of women is, causing one in three deaths each year? You might be surprised to learn the culprit is heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, approximately one woman dies every…
Exercise Helps Keep Hearts Young & Happy

Polk Senior Games Include a Heap of Heart-Healthy Activities by MARY TOOTHMAN Introducing or stepping-up regular exercise programs can result in dramatic improvements to the lives of the 65 and older population— and the emphasis on heart health this month offers an ideal opportunity to spread the word. In a 2010 Center for Disease Control…
Is It Cardiomyopathy or a Heart Attack?

Knowing the Difference and Getting Treatment Early Could Save Your Life story by CHERYL ROGERS portrait by LUIS BETANCOURT When it comes to women and heart disease, it’s not one size fits all. Breast pain, shoulder or neck pain, arm pain, back pain, stomach or jaw pain, and even pain in your fingers can be…

What Counts as Exercise?

Making the effort to exercise regularly is an admirable pursuit. Physical activity can play a vital role in cardiovascular health, weight loss, body strengthening, and even emotional well-being. But not all physical exertion is truly “exercise.” By definition, “exercise” is physical activity that leads to sustained elevation of the heart rate; this can only be…
The Importance of Regular Cleanings

We’re now three months into 2019, and if you can’t remember the last time you went to the dentist for a cleaning, it’s time to stop putting it off. Outside of maintaining your oral health, dental cleanings serve a variety of other purposes that can lead to short and long-term benefits. Here are a few…
Taking Care of Your Eyes

The gift of sight is one of our most valued senses and often not paid attention to until symptoms arise. Some common eye complaints are: Conjunctivitis: this may be sudden in onset and due to an infection if it occurs in one eye (or both) , is accompanied by pain , swollen eyelids , itching…