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  • Know the Numbers: 1 in 4

    Know the Numbers: 1 in 4

    Don’t Underestimate the Effects of Stress on Heart Health   by TERESA SCHIFFER   Heart disease accounts for one in every four deaths in the United States. With odds like that, it’s good to know that some contributing factors are within your control. Stress is one of those factors.    Everyone experiences stress at some…

  • Game On!

    Game On!

    Polk Senior Games Return This Year With Outdoor Activities   by CATHERINE CERVONE   This year marks the 29th year of the annual Polk Senior Games, the largest of the 20 local senior games held in Florida.    Participants who are turning at least 50 years old in 2022 can participate in a variety of…

  • Pop Quiz: Heart attack or Panic Attack: Which Is It?

    Pop Quiz: Heart attack or Panic Attack: Which Is It?

    Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., so it’s no wonder that a heart attack—a result of coronary artery disease, which is one of the forms of heart disease—is a concern. While the most common symptoms of a heart attack are often recognizable, the symptoms of another common health condition—a panic…

Columns

  • Gaining a Better Understanding of Pacemakers and Defibrillators

    Gaining a Better Understanding of Pacemakers and Defibrillators

    Pacemakers and defibrillators have become so common. Everyone has questions and concerns about these. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers. What are pacemakers and defibrillators used for? Pacemakers are used when the heart rate is too slow or stops and the patient is symptomatic: dizziness or blackouts usually. Conversely, defibrillators are for the…

  • Use of Opioids as First-Line Treatment a Slippery Slope

    Use of Opioids as First-Line Treatment a Slippery Slope

    What do Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Chris Farley have in common? These are celebrities who developed dependence on prescription drugs that started with legitimate use after injuries or procedures. They subsequently developed an addiction, which culminated in their unfortunate and untimely deaths due to unintentional overdose. Just a few examples of other celebrities who…

  • Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It destroys the macula, which is the small central area of the retina that provides detailed, central vision. With AMD, you lose the ability to see fine details, both close-up and at a distance.  Due to the…

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