Dallas Heart & Vascular Consultants

05/12/2026

🧠 May is American Stroke Month. Do You Know the Warning Signs?

On average, nearly 2 million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated, making early recognition and treatment absolutely critical. This May, the American Stroke Association has updated its stroke warning signs acronym to B.E.F.A.S.T., and it is worth knowing by heart:

🔵 B - Balance: sudden loss of balance or dizziness
👁️ E - Eyes: sudden blurred, double, or lost vision
😶 F - Face: drooping on one side
💪 A - Arms: weakness or numbness in one arm
🗣️ S - Speech: slurred or strange speech
📞 T - Time: call 911 immediately

Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. The good news is that over 80% of strokes are preventable, with managing blood pressure being one of the most powerful steps you can take.

If you or someone around you experiences any of these symptoms, do not wait. Every second matters.

Learn more from the American Stroke Association: https://www.stroke.org

The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a healthier world with fewer strokes.

05/07/2026

🩺 High Blood Pressure: The Silent Risk You Need to Know About

Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms, but it significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and premature death.

The good news? It is one of the most manageable cardiovascular risk factors when caught early.

A few things worth knowing:
💙 A normal blood pressure is generally considered less than 120/80
💙 The current AHA/ACC guideline recommends a universal treatment target of less than 130/80 mmHg
💙 Lifestyle changes, including diet, physical activity, and stress management, are always the first line of defense
💙 The only way to know your numbers is to get checked

May is the perfect time to schedule that visit if you've been putting it off. Your cardiologist can help you understand your numbers and build a plan that works for you.

📖 Learn more: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-education-month

The Heart Truth® encourages women to know their blood pressure numbers. Then make keeping blood pressure within a healthy target part of self-care.

05/04/2026

🌸 Hello, May! May is National Blood Pressure Education Month, and it starts with one important fact: Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, putting them at risk for heart disease and stroke, and only 1 in 4 people with high blood pressure has it under control.

That means millions of people are living with a serious cardiovascular risk without even knowing it. High blood pressure has no symptoms. You can feel completely fine and still have numbers that are quietly putting strain on your heart, arteries, and kidneys.

The only way to know where you stand is to get checked. If it has been a while since your last visit, May is a great time to schedule one. Knowing your numbers is one of the simplest and most powerful steps you can take for your heart. 💙

04/29/2026

🥦 The Science on Heart-Healthy Eating Just Got an Update

The American Heart Association just released its 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health and the science backing a heart-healthy diet has only gotten stronger.

The foundation remains the same:
🫐 Plenty of fruits and vegetables
🌾 Whole grains over refined grains
🥜 Healthy proteins, including more plant-based sources
🫒 Unsaturated fats over saturated fats
🚫 Less added sugar, sodium, and alcohol

The reminder that matters most? Up to 80% of heart disease and stroke is considered preventable, and what you eat every day plays a major role in that.

Read the full AHA guidance in the link below: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001435

Poor diet quality is strongly associated with elevated cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality risk. This American Heart Association scientific statement for food-based cardiovascular health optimization and cardiovascular disease risk reduction guidance summarizes available evidence and prov...

04/20/2026

❓When did you last have your cholesterol checked?
This is a great time to do so: just last month, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released their first updated cholesterol management guidelines since 2018, reflecting the latest advances in cardiovascular risk assessment and treatment.

An estimated 1 in 4 U.S. adults has high LDL cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke, but it is one of the most manageable risk factors when caught early.

A few things to keep in mind:
🩺 High cholesterol often has no symptoms, so the only way to know your numbers is to get tested
🥦 A heart-healthy diet centered on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins can meaningfully reduce your cardiovascular risk
🚶 Regular movement and healthy habits remain among the most powerful tools for protecting your heart

If it's been a while since you've had your levels checked, consider scheduling a visit with your cardiologist. Your future self will thank you.

🔗 Learn more about the updated guidelines from the AHA: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/accaha-issue-updated-guideline-for-managing-lipids-cholesterol

Embargoed until 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET, Friday, March 13, 2026 WASHINGTON and DALLAS, March 13, 2026 — The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association and nine other leading medical associations, today issued an updated guideline ...

04/15/2026

💺➡️💙 Sitting Less, Moving More: A Simple Boost for Your Heart

April is Move More Month, a national initiative supported by the American Heart Association to encourage people to build more movement into their daily routines.

Heart health is not just about structured workouts, it is also about how much you move throughout the day. Long periods of sitting can impact your heart, but even small movement breaks can help.
Try this throughout your day:

🚶 Stand up and walk every hour
🧍 Take short stretch breaks between tasks
📞 Walk while on phone calls
🪜 Choose stairs when you can

It does not have to be all at once. It all adds up, and your heart benefits from every step.

Learn more about Move More Month and ways to stay active here: https://newsroom.heart.org/events/april-is-move-more-month-featuring-national-walking-day-stress-awareness-month-national-pet-month-national-garden-month-and-more

04/08/2026

🌿 Small Habits, Stronger Heart

When it comes to heart health, it’s not just the big changes that matter, it’s the small, consistent habits you build every day.

A few simple ways to support your heart:
🥗 Choose balanced, nutrient-rich meals
🚶 Stay active, even a short daily walk helps
💧 Drink enough water throughout the day
😴 Prioritize quality sleep each night

Over time, these small choices add up to meaningful, long-term benefits for your heart and overall health.

Start where you can. Your heart will thank you. 💙

04/03/2026

🌸 Hello, April! A Fresh Start for Your Heart ❤️

April is Stress Awareness Month: managing stress is an important part of protecting your heart. Chronic stress can raise blood pressure, affect sleep, and even contribute to habits that increase your risk for heart disease.

As we step into April, take a moment to check in with yourself:
💙 Are you making time to rest and recharge?
💙 Are you finding small ways to stay active during your day?
💙 Are you prioritizing sleep and managing daily stress?

Even small changes, like going for a walk, connecting with loved ones, or taking a few minutes to unplug, can make a meaningful difference for your heart.

If you’d like to learn more about how stress impacts heart health and ways to manage it, check out the link below: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-and-heart-health

Let’s make April a month of balance, awareness, and heart-healthy habits. 💙

What’s stressful for one person may not be for another. Happy events (new marriage.

03/31/2026

💙 Wrapping Up March: A Month of Heart-Healthy Habits 💙

As March comes to a close, we’ve spent time focusing on the everyday habits that support heart health, from better nutrition and staying active to recognizing symptoms and keeping up with routine checkups.

The takeaway? Small, consistent choices truly make a difference. Whether you made one change or several this month, it all adds up.

As we head into April, keep the momentum going, your heart will thank you. ❤️

03/25/2026

🩺 When Was Your Last Heart Check-In?

Heart disease often develops quietly, which is why routine checkups and screenings are so important, even if you’re feeling well. Keeping track of key numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can help catch potential issues early.

A few simple steps to stay on track:
✔️ Schedule your annual checkup
✔️ Stay up to date on recommended screenings
✔️ Talk to your provider about your personal risk factors
✔️ Don’t ignore changes in how you feel

Taking a proactive approach now can help prevent bigger problems later. Your heart health is worth it. 💙

03/18/2026

❤️ Know the Signs. Trust Your Instincts.

Heart symptoms are not always sudden or obvious. While chest pain is the most well-known sign, there are other symptoms that should never be ignored.

Be aware of:
⚠️ Shortness of breath
⚠️ Unexplained fatigue
⚠️ Dizziness or lightheadedness
⚠️ Discomfort in the arms, back, neck, or jaw

Symptoms can look different for everyone, especially in women, and may come on gradually or feel less severe. In fact, women are more likely to experience symptoms like nausea, fatigue, or back and jaw pain that can easily be mistaken for something else.

If something does not feel right, it is always better to get it checked. Early attention can make all the difference.

Learn more about the signs of heart disease in women here:
https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/signs-and-symptoms-in-women

Your heart health matters every day. 💙

Learn more about the warning signs of heart attack and stroke in women that may differ from those men experience.