Sacramento Heart and Vascular

04/17/2026

April is National Stress Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing public awareness about the causes and cures for the modern stress epidemic. It highlights the dangers of unmanaged stress—such as heart disease, anxiety, and depression—and promotes healthy coping mechanisms. The 5 R's of stress management (Rethink, Relax, Release, Reduce, Reorganize) provide a comprehensive framework to manage stress by addressing thoughts, physical tension, lifestyle, and priorities. These actionable steps help shift perspectives, calm the body, and restructure daily routines to create a more balanced, sustainable life.

04/15/2026

Since his heart attack, Nick Troutman has worked to spread awareness about SCAD — a condition doctors still don’t fully understand — and how it can happen to even young, otherwise healthy people. Fellow athletes who’ve experienced SCAD and were encouraged not to compete again have found hope in Nick’s story. “Having a heart attack,” Nick said, “isn’t a life sentence.”

“Having a heart attack isn’t a life sentence,” says . A rare artery tear nearly ended the world champion kayaker’s career—but not quite.

04/13/2026

04/08/2026

Mayo Clinic research identified a powerful new way to improve the prediction of a patient's long-term cardiovascular disease risk by enhancing a routinely performed imaging test with artificial intelligence (AI).
The study highlights the growing role of AI in helping experts uncover new insights from existing medical data.
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/including-ai-derived-heart-fat-measurement-improves-accuracy-of-cardiovascular-disease-risk-prediction/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRDcXxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKQVcwYUZIT1p6TlU1eUh0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmRWK6WlM0iTxeuIzfxcRv776T4wXslY8yf1aitkh2Yv7CJuFtZqCA1MqeuK_aem_wZrtNX8xyDDJmWiFmdsLYQ

AI-derived heart fat measurements from routine scans improve long-term cardiovascular disease risk prediction, enabling earlier, more personalized prevention strategies.

04/03/2026

Easter Egg Nutrition: A large egg contains about 186 mg of cholesterol. While eggs are a staple, some studies suggest high consumption can increase cardiovascular risks. For healthy people, moderate consumption does not significantly increase the risk of heart disease, though. Overall diet and lifestyle matter more.

04/01/2026

This April Fools’ Day, infuse wellness with a sense of playfulness. Embrace laughter, engage in mindful mischief, and find joy in unexpected moments. Wellness is not just about serious routines; it’s also about celebrating the lighter side of life. You can enjoy the playful moments while still understanding what health advice is an "April fool" or "April fact." Take time to critically evaluate health information, as misinformation can spread easily!

‘Tis the season of April trickery. Five Penn State health experts help you separate what’s real and what’s myth.

03/27/2026

A slow pulse (bradycardia) means your heart is beating fewer than 60 times a minute, which can indicate superior physical fitness OR a heart issue. It's often harmless in athletes because their hearts are stronger and more efficient, but it could also mean the heart's electrical system is failing to pump enough oxygenated blood, leading to fatigue, dizziness, or fainting.

03/25/2026

We often talk about cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar when we discuss heart disease. Less obvious—but just as important—is oxidative stress: a mismatch between oxidants (ROS) and antioxidants that damages vessel lining, oxidizes lipids, stiffens arteries, and disrupts heart rhythm. Over time, this redox imbalance primes the ground for atrial fibrillation, atherosclerotic plaque, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

Glutathione (GSH)—produced inside your cells—is central to defending against this damage and restoring resilience. It acts as an important antioxidant, which helps protect your body from damage to cells caused by free radicals.

Find out what is in glutathione and learn how it can help everything from ear infections to cardiovascular disease.

03/20/2026

Before you buy expensive "gut shots" opt for a do-it-yourself version. Gut shots that are sold in stores are often small, sour servings of probiotics. Pick up a jar of fermented pickles during your next grocery haul. Unlike typical pickles, fermented pickles don’t contain vinegar and will be in the refrigerated section. The brine appears cloudy. You can eat the fermented pickles, but don’t throw away the probiotic-rich brine. Drink 2 fluid ounces each day for an at-home gut shot.