Dallas Heart & Vascular Consultants

10/28/2025

🍂 With fall in full swing, now’s a great time to look at how your habits this season affect your heart. One standout tip: embrace more seasonal, nutrient rich foods.

Dietitians point to eight fall favorites like butternut squash, pears, lentils, and pomegranates that align with the Mediterranean style diet and offer powerful benefits for heart health. Here are a few heart smart fall food ideas:

🌰 Swap in pecans or walnuts for snacking instead of chips
🍎 Use pears or apples as dessert or salad toppings instead of sugary treats
🍲 Add lentils or squash to soups to boost fiber, plant protein, and heart healthy nutrients
🥗 Choose roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or mushrooms instead of fries

Small seasonal changes can add up to major gains for your heart. Let’s enjoy autumn with flavor and heart health in mind. 💙

10/22/2025

🍂 As we head deeper into October, it’s a great time to focus on one of the most important habits for your heart: sleep.

A good night’s rest isn’t just about feeling refreshed, it has a direct impact on cardiovascular health. Poor sleep over time can lead to higher blood pressure, increased inflammation, and greater risk for heart disease.

Here are a few simple ways to improve your nightly routine:
💡 Stick to a regular bedtime and wake time
📵 Turn off screens 30 minutes before bed
🌙 Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet
🚶 If you can’t sleep, get up and move around instead of staying in bed tossing and turning

Your heart works hard while you’re awake, let’s make sure it gets the support it needs while you sleep. 💙

10/16/2025

🫀💓 Today is World Restart a Heart Day!

Every second counts when cardiac arrest happens, and knowing how to respond can mean the difference between life and death.

Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. Bystander CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, but only if someone nearby knows what to do.

Here’s how you can make a difference today:
🙌 Learn (or refresh) Hands-Only CPR: no mouth-to-mouth, just hard and fast compressions in the center of the chest.
📍Locate AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in places you visit often such as gyms, offices, or community centers.
🗣️ Encourage family, coworkers, and friends to get CPR trained too!

Together, we can help more hearts beat again. ❤️

Learn more from the American Heart Association: https://cpr.heart.org/

First Aid, CPR & Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). Learn more about resuscitation science, training in your community or organization, and other CPR programs.

10/10/2025

💚 Today is World Mental Health Day, a powerful reminder that a healthy mind supports a healthy heart.

Over time, chronic mental health challenges can raise blood pressure, trigger inflammation, and influence behaviors (poor sleep, unhealthy eating, skipping meds) that challenge cardiovascular health. On the flip side, a diagnosis or experience with heart disease can also impact mental health, creating a cycle where one affects the other.

Here are a few simple steps you can take today to support both your heart and your mind:

🧘 Take short breaks to breathe deeply or meditate
🏃 Move your body, even gentle exercise helps
🍎 Choose nourishing, balanced foods
🗣️ Reach out to a friend, therapist, or support group
🌙 Prioritize rest, manage stress, and be kind to yourself

For more information, please visit: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/world-mental-health-day-2025/

10/07/2025

💉 Flu Season Is Here, Protect Your Heart, Too! 🍂

As cooler weather settles in, flu season is upon us, and your heart health is one more reason to get protected. For people with heart disease or risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes, catching the flu can actually increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially in the first week after infection.

Getting your annual flu shot is one of the most effective ways to protect not only your lungs, but also your heart. ❤️

Here are a few ways to stay well this fall:
🧼 Wash your hands regularly and avoid close contact when sick
🥗 Eat nutrient-rich foods to strengthen your immune system
😴 Prioritize rest, exercise, and hydration
🤝 Encourage friends and family to get vaccinated too

Learn more from the CDC:

Learn about flu prevention for people with heart disease, including vaccination and health measures.

10/02/2025

🍁 Hello, October! As we turn the calendar, did you know this month is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, a time to spotlight how critical it is to recognize and respond to cardiac emergencies?

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is different from a heart attack. It happens when the heart abruptly stops beating, often without warning, and can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Here’s what you can do to help save a life:

• Learn Hands-Only CPR
• Know where AEDs are located in your community
• Stay informed about your own heart health
• Encourage friends, family, coworkers to learn CPR and AED use

Let’s use October to raise awareness, empower our communities, and support heart safety ❤️

To learn more, please visit: https://stopcardiacarrest.org/

October Is National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of more than 356,0001 people each year, including more than 23,0002 youth under age 18. Sudden Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA...

09/29/2025

❤️ Happy World Heart Day!

Today, September 29, is a chance for all of us to pause and reflect on how precious our hearts are. World Heart Day is observed globally to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), its risk factors, and what we can each do to protect our hearts.

Did you know that up to 80% of premature deaths from CVD are preventable through early screening, lifestyle changes, and better access to care?

Here are a few heart-first actions you can take today:
🌿 Know your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar)
🏃 Move more with walking, biking, or stretching
🥗 Choose balanced meals rich in whole foods
😌 Take time to manage stress and rest your mind

Your heart is the only muscle you can hear and feel, and every beat counts. Let’s use today to recommit to habits that help our hearts thrive!

📚 Learn more about World Heart Day here: https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/

On September 29, 2025, World Heart Day unites millions worldwide to fight cardiovascular disease. Learn how the World Heart Federation inspires action to prevent, treat, and beat heart disease.

09/24/2025

💙 September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to celebrate the positive side of growing older and to encourage habits that help us live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Healthy aging isn’t just about adding years, it’s about adding life to those years. One of the best ways to do that is by caring for your heart. As we age, heart disease risk can increase, but proactive steps make a huge difference.

Here are some simple ways to support healthy aging with a strong heart:
🥗 Eat a balanced diet with colorful fruits, veggies, and lean proteins
🚶 Stay active with daily walks or gentle exercise you enjoy
🩺 Keep up with regular screenings like blood pressure and cholesterol checks
😊 Protect your mental and social health by managing stress and staying connected with loved ones

Your heart is at the center of living vibrantly at every age. Let’s honor it this month and beyond. 💪

09/18/2025

🌟 September brings more than back-to-school and cooler days, it’s also Cholesterol Education Month. 💙

Cholesterol isn’t all bad, since your body needs it to build cells and make hormones, but when levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) get too high, it can build up in your arteries and raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Here are some simple ways to support healthy cholesterol:

🥗 Choose heart-smart foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, fish)
🚶 Get moving! Regular activity helps boost your HDL (“good” cholesterol) and lower LDL
🩺 Schedule regular cholesterol screenings: knowing your numbers is the first step toward prevention

This month, let’s use awareness as motivation to take small, lasting steps toward protecting our hearts. 💙

Learn more from the American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol

The American Heart Association explains how cholesterol affects the heart. Learn about prevention and treatment of high cholesterol, triglycerides, ldl, hdl, athersclerosis, arteriosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, bad cholesterol, reducing cholesterol, cholesterol screening, cholesterol tracker, rec...

09/15/2025

🍂 As fall approaches, it’s a great moment to revisit some of the habits that protect your heart year-round, especially as we get busier with back-to-school routines, cooler weather, and schedule changes.

One area to focus on is Nutrition & Heart Health. September is National Fruits & Veggies Month, and loading up on produce isn’t just about vitamins, it supports heart, blood vessel, and metabolic health too.

Here are a few friendly reminders to weave into daily life:

🌽 Add colorful fruits and veggies to your meals (seasonal favorites like apples, squash, leafy greens)
🏡 Meal prep simple, heart-smart snacks so you're not reaching for fast food
🚶 Take short walks after meals, just 10 to 15 minutes helps regulate blood sugar and supports digestion
😴 Prioritize consistent sleep and hydration to support overall wellness

Let’s honor our hearts by eating well today and every day. 💙

09/08/2025

Today is World Physical Therapy Day🎉! A perfect reminder that movement matters for your heart.

Did you know physical therapy isn’t just for sports injuries or sore muscles? For people with heart conditions, cardiac rehabilitation is a special type of therapy that combines exercise, education, and support to help your heart get stronger and healthier.

Cardiac rehab can:
💪 Improve your strength and stamina
🛡️ Lower your risk of future heart problems
😊 Boost your mood, confidence, and quality of life

Want to learn more? The CDC has a great overview of what cardiac rehab is and why it matters:
👉 https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/cardiac-rehabilitation-treatment.html

Here’s to celebrating the therapists who keep hearts (and lives) moving forward every day!

09/02/2025

🫀September is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Awareness Month, the most common heart rhythm disorder that affects millions of people every year. Did you know that 1 in 4 adults over age 40 will develop AFib in their lifetime? The challenge is that many don’t recognize the symptoms or know how treatable it can be with the right care.

This month, we’re raising awareness so more people can:
💡 Recognize the signs
🛡️ Take steps toward prevention
❤️ Explore treatment options that improve quality of life

Knowledge is power and when it comes to AFib, it could be lifesaving.

📚 Learn more from the Heart Rhythm Society: https://www.hrsonline.org/afib-awareness-month/

Raising Awareness. Improving Care. Changing Lives. September is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Awareness Month - a time to shine a spotlight on the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting millions worldwide. AFib affects 1 in 4 adults over 40, yet many don't know the symptoms or treatment options.....