Amir Kaviani, M.D., Vascular Surgeon

We’ve talked numerous times about how important it is to pay attention to how your diet affects your health. Generally we like to promote healthy eating and keeping things in moderation, unless you have a serious health issue that is directly related to certain types of foods. A new study is adding some unfortunate news on top of that idea, making it even more important to pay attention to your health in relation to what you eat. The research is suggesting that individuals wh...o have a diet high in foods that cause inflammation, including red meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products, are more likely to end up in the hospital or die in the event of heart failure when compared to individuals who eat low inflammation foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The research is considered in the early stages and will go through more in-depth study, but these initial results are enough to raise concerns over potential cases of heart attack and how they relate to diet. If you feel like you might be in the range of concern, talk to your primary physician for ways to improve your heart health and quality of living. You can read more about the study by visiting this link: https://www.heart.org//eating-foods-that-promote-inflammat

We talk about the risks of high blood pressure pretty often here (we are part of the Torrance Vascular Center after all), but there is another thing you should be aware of, even if the threat of it isn’t as high. That other item is low blood pressure, or hypotension, and while much less likely to cause a problem, it can cause dizziness and faintness. However, it can be indicative of other health issues that may not be immediately recognized. Some of the biggest issues can inc...lude internal bleeding, allergic reactions, and if serious enough not enough oxygen or nutrients reaching vital organs in the body. Some symptoms to look out for are: lightheadedness dizziness fainting Other issues that might indicate a more serious issue can include: chest pain cold, pale, dry, or clammy skin fever a headache and a stiff neck vision changes diarrhea and vomiting allergic reactions, such as swelling difficulty breathing fatigue and weakness thirst and dehydration changes in heart rhythm It’s important to note that these symptoms are not an automatic indicator to what the problem might be, as there are any number of things that might cause similar situations. Generally speaking, having lower blood pressure is much preferred to high blood pressure. The important thing is to get regular checkups from your primary physician to make sure there are no underlying issues being missed. If you would like to read more on this, and what may be possible causes of low blood pressure, continue here: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159609#causes

Are you younger than 45? If you or someone you know was having a stroke, would you know the signs? If you don’t, then you are in a group of around 30% of adults who are in the same boat. The situation becomes even more serious when you realize that for the same age group, ages 18-45, strokes are on the rise, despite a decline in the general population overall. A recent study has noted that every year, 10-15% of the almost 795,000 people in the United States who suffer from a ...stroke are in that age group. In fact, stroke in younger adults has risen almost 40% over the past couple of decades. While the reason for the increase isn’t readily known, as it can include a number of factors, the main point remains that if you know what to look for, you can reduce long-term disability if it happens. The five most common symptoms are: Numbness of face, arm, and/or leg Confusion and/or trouble speaking coherently Difficulty walking and keeping balance Problems with vision in one or both eyes Severe headache Strokes have the potential to lead to death if they are not treated quickly, and many times can have lasting effects if not recognized. It’s important to always be aware of yourself, and those around you. Familiarize yourself with the common symptoms and you may save someone’s life one day, including your own. If you would like to read more on the statistics of stroke and other factors, you can follow this link: https://www.heart.org//as-stroke-rates-rise-among-younger-

It’s no surprise that we are in weird and difficult times right now in the world. There are new health risks that have changed our fundamental way of living, and even if you never come into contact with COVID-19, or a person who has had it, the new normal is certainly taking some getting used to. Every year, there is a significant rise in flu cases, which is not unexpected. However, this year we also have COVID-19 to contend with, and to makes matter worse, it appears that BO...TH the Flue and COVID-19 can raise stroke risk in some groups. Strokes are usually the result of a number of possible things, including high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and other health factors. While these things on their own may lead an individual towards a possible stroke, suddenly contracting the flu or COVID-19 (basically an infection) can become a catalyst to push them over the edge where normally they may have had a bit more time before it happens. Of course, it’s important to know that the relative numbers are very low, with only 0.2% of flu patients and 1.6% of COVID-19 patients having an actual stroke in the study group. However, it may be a worthwhile wake up call to people who know they are in certain danger groups, or anyone who has a family history of cardiovascular health problems or stroke. It is important to talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk, so that you can take the proper steps needed to keep yourself as healthy as possible. If you would like to read more on this study, you can follow this link: https://www.heart.org//flu-and-covid-19-are-bad-enough-but

Do you love coffee? Is it one of the first things you consume in the morning upon waking up, or when you’re rushing out the door to work? If so, you’re in the company of at least 150 million other daily drinkers, which is over 50% of Americans. If you do enjoy coffee, you’ve probably heard the age old warning of how bad it is for you, how it can cause high blood pressure, cause caffeine highs, or sudden energy crashes after the perk has worn off. Well, there’s good news and b...ad news when it comes to coffee and exactly how healthy or harmful it might be to you. And that news is that it is still largely disputed. What we DO know is that in 2017, a study found that increased coffee consumption was associated with a very small decrease in hypertension, largely suggested due to the beneficial compounds naturally found in coffee. In comparison, a 2016 study found that coffee consumption increased blood pressure, but only in minor levels. The answer largely lies in genetics, and how your body handles the caffeine (and other additives usually found in fancier drinks). Some people end up with insomnia, anxiety, visitors tremors, and even heartburn. If that’s the case, it may be better to avoid it all together, instead of pushing the issue. It’s worth noting that in many cases, it’s more important to focus on what other things may be in your coffee that could have an adverse effect on your health. Dairy, sugar, syrups, and artificial sweeteners are all things that should be consumed in moderation, but in most cases it’s simply a matter of paying attention to how you feel after you drink it, and if there’s a reason for concern talk with your primary physician. If you would like to read more on the possible pros and cons of drinking coffee, you can visit this article: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com//does-coffee-raise-blood-