What Varicose Veins Say About Your Vein Health

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There’s no denying that large, twisted varicose veins are unpleasant to look at. But they may also serve as a warning sign of underlying health issues that need your immediate attention.

At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, our team of vein specialists offers comprehensive diagnostic care and treatment services for varicose veins. 

By staying proactive about vein care, you can help reduce your risk for serious health complications and improve the appearance of your legs.

The root cause of varicose veins

Varicose veins develop when faulty valves in your veins allow blood to flow backwards and pool in certain areas. This pooling causes your veins to swell and take on a twisted, bulging appearance.

Your legs are most susceptible to this condition compared to the rest of your body. That’s because in order to properly circulate blood back to your heart, your veins must work against gravity. This extra effort can weaken your veins and cause them to be noticeably enlarged because your blood can’t circulate properly.

Weakened veins are also a common side effect of the natural aging process. As you get older, your veins become weaker and may not function as they should. Other factors that may increase your risk for varicose veins include:

  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Family history
  • Prolonged standing
  • Use of certain medications

Without treatment, varicose veins can become painful and interfere with your mobility. Many people also take a hit to their self-esteem and are embarrassed by these discolored leg veins.

Recognize the warning signs of more serious vein issues

While varicose veins are a condition that warrants medical care on their own, these bulging veins may signal other health issues that require diagnostic evaluation.

Two common conditions that may play a role in the development of varicose veins include:

Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a condition where a blood clot forms in the deep veins of your legs. It causes persistent swelling and can become painful. This is a serious medical concern that can lead to pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot in your vein breaks away and travels to your lungs. This condition is a medical emergency that requires immediate care to prevent life-threatening complications, including death.

At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, we provide comprehensive vein services to prevent these health complications. We focus on preventive care to reduce the likelihood you’ll develop dangerous clots.

Treating varicose veins with the latest techniques

We offer the latest innovations in vein care, including those designed specifically to address varicose veins.

A common procedure that’s used to destroy damaged varicose veins is radiofrequency ablation. This procedure delivers radiofrequency energy into your affected veins to shrink and ultimately collapse them. Blood reroutes naturally into nearby healthy veins as the varicose vein is reabsorbed by your body.

VenaSeal™ works similarly to radiofrequency ablation, except the procedure uses a special medical adhesive to close off and destroy the vein.

You may also be a candidate for an ambulatory phlebectomy, a surgical procedure where the varicose veins are removed through small incisions.

Be proactive about your vein health

If you’re seeing changes in your veins that indicate early signs of a problem, don’t wait until it gets worse.

Our team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC, works closely with you to reduce your risk for varicose veins and even more serious vein issues.

We have the solutions for unsightly, painful varicose veins. All you have to do is schedule a consultation with our providers at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC. Call one of our five locations today.

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Am I at Risk for Developing Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?

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Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a dangerous, possibly fatal condition that affects your circulation. How do you know if you’re at risk for this serious heart condition? Paying attention to your body and how you’re feeling is the first step. Yet you may have symptoms of congestive heart failure without realizing that’s the problem.

At HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, our team of board-certified cardiologists can help you understand the root causes of your symptoms and give you the care you need. Here, we explain what you need to know about congestive heart failure your risk for developing CHF.

What is congestive heart failure?

CHF is a disorder that prevents your heart from efficiently pumping blood through the rest of your body. About 6 million Americans are affected by this condition. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, and even memory loss. 

How does CHF feel?

You may feel nauseous, notice reduced endurance, and experience discomfort and swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet. You may even feel the need to urinate more often. Although these are symptoms of a number of possible conditions, our doctors can help you determine if your symptoms could be due to congestive heart failure.

What are the risk factors?

Like every long-term medical condition, congestive heart failure doesn’t suddenly appear one day, and you’re affected for the rest of your life. There are quite a few warning signs and other conditions that could put you at greater risk for developing CHF.

Congenital heart defects

Some people are born with heart defects — such as leaky valves, underdeveloped blood vessels, or a hole in your heart. These can raise your risk of congestive heart failure because your heart may not have the ability to perform its normal functions. 

Severe lung disease

Lung diseases, even those as common as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can increase your risk of developing CHF. Lung disorders and diseases make it more difficult for oxygenated blood to reach your heart to be pumped throughout your body. 

Hypertension

Having high blood pressure makes it more difficult for your heart to pump blood through your body. Unlike cardio exercise, which challenges your heart, hypertension strains and weakens your heart. High blood pressure can also reduce your endurance and cause headaches and fatigue. 

Coronary artery disease and previous heart attacks 

Coronary artery disease is not only the most common form of heart disease, but also the leading cause of congestive heart failure. It also causes heart attacks. The disease’s main symptom is the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which slows the flow of blood.

Diabetes

Between the two types of diabetes — hereditary, or Type 1, and environmental, or Type 2 — Type 2 diabetes can increase your chances of developing CHF. Nearly 40% of people living with Type 2 diabetes develop acute congestive heart failure. 

Myocarditis

An inflamed heart (myocarditis) puts you at risk of developing CHF, and directly cause an irregular heartbeat. There are several causes of myocarditis, with viral infection and drug and alcohol use ranking among the top causes. 

Who is at risk for congestive heart failure?

The disease has an unfortunate prevalence among African-Americans. Men of all races are more vulnerable to congestive heart failure than women, and anyone over age 65 should remain cognizant of their heart’s health at all times.

Congestive heart failure doesn’t have to be a life-ending disease. Our team is dedicated to helping you live a full, active life and preventing as much damage to your heart as possible. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with CHF, or if you have any of the risk factors, please reach out to us by phone or online to make an appointment at one of our five locations. 

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The Most Common Causes of Heart Palpitations

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If you’ve ever had the sensation that your heart is beating in an unexpected way, you’re familiar with the feeling of heart palpitations.

Heart palpitations are usually not serious. However, it’s very important to have them evaluated to rule out a potentially problematic heart condition.

Here at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC in Hamden, Connecticut, our providers are experts at diagnosing and treating a full range of heart conditions, including heart palpitations. We’d like to share this important information about the causes of heart palpitations with you. 

About heart palpitations

When you have heart palpitations, you become aware of your heart beating in a way that’s different from your usual heartbeat. You may feel that your heart is doing any of the following:

  • Racing or beating quickly
  • Pounding
  • Skipping beats
  • Fluttering
  • Beating in a way that you feel in your throat or neck
  • Beating in a way that seems to extend beyond your heart area and into your full chest
  • Flipping or flopping

Heart palpitations may be accompanied by difficulty breathing, dizziness, or lightheadedness.

Causes of palpitations

Heart palpitations can have a variety of causes, including the following:

Anxiety, panic attacks, or stress

When you feel anxious or stressed, your heart rate can speed up. You may also become more aware of the beating of your heart.

Strenuous activity

Exercise elevates heart rate because your body is speeding up the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to your cells.

Caffeine and nicotine

These stimulants increase blood flow and raise your heart rate.

An overactive thyroid

Your thyroid regulates your metabolism and many other body processes. When it’s overactive, a condition known as hyperthyroidism, your heart may beat too fast. Likewise, when you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), and your prescribed dose of thyroid hormone is too high, you may experience heart palpitations.

Low blood levels of potassium

A low level of potassium in your blood can interfere with a normal heartbeat, increasing the rate.

Certain drugs and medications

Drugs that stimulate your body, including some types of antidepressants and certain medications used to treat colds or asthma, can cause an increased heart rate. Palpitations can also occur in people who use cocaine or other street drugs.

Serious heart conditions

In most cases, heart palpitations are not a sign of a serious heart condition. But, occasionally, they can signal the presence of conditions such as arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure. The only way to know for sure what’s causing your heart palpitations is to receive a medical evaluation.

Reducing palpitations

Palpitations can often be reduced through lifestyle modification. For example, if your palpitations are linked to anxiety or stress, relaxation strategies such as meditation or yoga can help calm you down. If they occur because of excess caffeine intake, switching to decaf may help.

Have your palpitations checked

If you’re experiencing heart palpitations or other symptoms, HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC is here to help. We can perform a comprehensive exam to discover the underlying cause of your heart palpitations and help get you back to normal. 

To schedule an appointment with one of our providers give us a call at one of our many locations, or book an appointment online.

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Could High Cholesterol be Causing Your Chest Pain?

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Do you sometimes feel pain, pressure, or discomfort in your chest? If so, you may have angina, a condition in which your heart doesn’t get enough of the oxygen-rich blood it needs.

Angina can have a variety of causes, but the most common is coronary heart disease, which occurs when a waxy substance known as plaque builds up in the arteries. Plaque can accumulate in your arteries when you have high cholesterol.

If you have chest pain related to high cholesterol and plaque buildup, you need to understand your condition and your symptoms. The dedicated team of providers here at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC would like to share the following facts about chest pain and cholesterol.

Good cholesterol, bad cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in all of your body’s cells. Your body uses cholesterol for various important jobs, such as manufacturing hormones and vitamin D and helping you digest foods.

Your body makes all of the cholesterol it needs. You also get cholesterol from animal foods such as eggs, meat, and dairy products.

There are several kinds of cholesterol. The “bad” types include low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), which carries triglycerides. These are referred to as “bad” because they lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries.

Another type of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered “good” because it helps remove cholesterol from your body.

Sticky plaque

When you have too much “bad” cholesterol in your blood, it can combine with other compounds in your blood and form plaque, a sticky substance that can narrow the space in which blood can flow through your arteries. A buildup of plaque is called atherosclerosis.

Having atherosclerosis can cause chest pain because your heart doesn’t get the blood it needs.

And it can lead to a heart attack if a piece of plaque breaks off and causes a clot that blocks blood flow in a heart artery.  

Treatment for chest pain

If you have chest pain related to plaque buildup, we recommend lifestyle changes that can protect your heart, such as:

  • Quitting smoking
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Losing weight if you’re overweight or obese
  • Becoming physically active
  • Reducing stress
  • Limiting alcohol consumption
  • Keeping your blood sugar in check if it is elevated
  • Controlling your blood pressure if it is high

Lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of having a heart attack.

We also may prescribe certain medications for chest pain, such as anticoagulants that help prevent blood clots. And for some patients, procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery can restore blood flow and reduce chest pain.

Know the warning signs of heart attack

Chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 if you feel any of the following:

  • Pain, pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both of your arms, your back, your neck, your jaw, or your stomach
  • Shortness of breath
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness

Don’t ignore any of these signs of a heart attack. Quick action could save your life.

Learn more about chest pain

If you have questions about chest pain, the team at HeartCare Associates of Connecticut, LLC are here for you. We serve residents of Hamden, CT and its surrounding communities. We’re happy to help you understand what’s causing your chest pain, how to reduce your pain, and how to protect your heart, so give us a call today at one of our many locations.

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A Positive Mindset Can Help Your Heart

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Can being positive protect against heart disease? Yes! There is a lot of evidence suggesting that having a positive outlook — like being optimistic, cheerful, having gratitude and purpose in life — can be heart-protective. Researchers in the UK looked at psychological characteristics of over 8,000 people, and found that those who scored high on optimism and a sense of well-being enjoyed a 30% lower risk of developing heart disease. Other studies report similar findings: in a study of over 70,000 women followed for over 10 years, those who scored highest on an optimism questionnaire had a significantly lower risk of death from heart attacks (38%) and strokes (39%).

A positive outlook may even be benefit people who already have cardiovascular disease, which is significant, because they are at very high risk of having heart attacks and strokes. In the US Health and Retirement study, in participants with known stable heart disease, positive psychological traits were associated with significantly lower risks of having a heart attack, and these traits included optimism (38% lower risk), positive outlook (32%), and having a purpose in life (27%). In three separate studies involving hundreds of patients with severe disease requiring either coronary bypass graft surgery or stenting, a higher level of optimism was significantly associated with a lower risk of post-procedure hospitalizations.

How does thinking positively affect your heart?

Many studies show that people prone to negative emotions have a higher risk of heart disease. Negative emotions are associated with the release of stress hormones and a physical stress response, resulting in a higher heart rate and blood pressure. Scientists hypothesize that positive people who have a “glass half-full” approach to life are less likely to experience this stress response. Basically, those who tend to look for the bright side of negative situations can avoid the damage that stress inflicts on the cardiovascular system. Another hypothesis is that people with a positive outlook are more likely to use healthy coping strategies like problem-solving to overcome obstacles and manage stressors, whereas people with a negative outlook tend toward unhealthy coping strategies like self-medicating with food and other substances.

Keeping a gratitude journal can help

Researchers have also studied gratitude in patients with heart failure. Those who kept a daily gratitude journal, where they listed three or four things for which they were thankful every day for two months, had lower levels of inflammatory hormones and a lower heart rate during a stressful exercise. This suggests that the simple daily habit of expressing gratitude can have big long-term health effects.

 Are you an optimistic person?

Some people are naturally more inclined to have a positive outlook and look for the silver lining, while others tend to view things in a more negative light. But optimism is as much as skill as a personality trait. You can train your brain to recognize and counteract negative thinking — your heart and health will be better for it.

Source:  Harvard Medical School; Monique Tello, MD, MPH, Contributing Editor

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Ways to Keep Your Immune System Healthy

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Your immune system defends you against the viruses that cause colds and flu. These eight steps can help support your immune system so it’s ready to fight those viruses.

  1. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  2. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
  3. Get enough sleep.
  4. Wash your hands.
  5. Keep up with your vaccinations. Almost everyone who’s at least 6 months old should get a flu vaccine every year.
  6. Keep your weight healthy.
  7. Don’t drink too much alcohol.
  8. Don’t smoke.

Get the Nutrients You Need

Food is your best source. Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit, and split the other half between lean protein and grains, as the government’s “MyPlate” guidelines recommend.

Not sure if you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals? Ask your doctor or a nutritionist about that.

Don’t overdo supplements. Taking too much can be bad for you. Your doctor can let you know what you need.

Manage Your Stress

Everyone gets stressed. Short bursts of stress may help your immune system. But lasting stress is a problem. It can hamper your immune system.

You can take action to tame stress. Make these steps part of your stress management plan:

  • Get enough sleep.
  • Learn and use relaxation techniques.
  • Exercise.
  • Take time for yourself.
  • Build your support network of people you can talk to.
  • Consider counseling, especially when you’re going through a very stressful time.

 Source: WebMD Medical Reference

What does a heart murmur mean?

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The sounds your doctor hears using a stethoscope while your heart beats are called heart murmurs.

“Innocent” heart murmurs

Innocent heart murmurs are sounds made by blood circulating through the heart’s chambers and valves, or through blood vessels near the heart. Innocent murmurs are common in children and are harmless. These heart murmurs may also be referred to as “functional” or “physiologic” murmurs.

A high percentage of children are likely to have had an innocent heart murmur at some time. Innocent murmurs may disappear and then reappear. When a child’s heart rate changes, such as during excitement or fear, these innocent murmurs may become louder or softer. This still doesn’t signal that the innocent murmur is cause for concern.

If your doctor hears a heart murmur when listening to your child’s heart, he or she may recommend additional testing to confirm that the murmur is innocent.

Unless testing suggests that further inquiry is warranted, no next steps may be necessary. With an innocent heart murmur, your child won’t need medication, and doesn’t have a heart problem or heart disease. You don’t need to pamper or restrict your child’s diet or activities. Your child can be as active as any other normal, healthy child.

Most innocent murmurs disappear when a child reaches adulthood, but some adults still have them.

Other causes

Other, non-innocent heart murmurs are often caused by defective heart valves. For example, a stenotic heart valve has a smaller-than-normal opening and can’t open completely. Or, a valve may also be unable to close completely. This leads to regurgitation, which is blood leaking backward through the valve when it should be closed.

Certain congenital defects as well as other conditions such as pregnancy, fever, anemia or thyrotoxicosis (a diseased condition resulting from an overactive thyroid gland) can also cause murmurs.

A murmur that occurs when the heart muscle relaxes between beats is called a diastolic murmur. A systolic murmur occurs when the heart muscle contracts.

Systolic murmurs are graded by intensity (loudness) from 1 to 6, with a stethoscope slightly removed from the chest. A grade 1 out of 6 is faint, heard only with a special effort. A grade 6 out of 6 (6/6) is extremely loud, and can be heard with a stethoscope even when slightly removed from the chest.

Source: American Heart Association

If you have questions about your heart health, please call your HeartCare physician.

(203) 407-2500