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Most people think of sleep as downtime. A chance to recharge, rest, and maybe catch up after a long day. But your body does some of its most important work while you sleep, especially your heart.  When sleep becomes disrupted night after night, the effects go far beyond feeling tired the next morning. Poor sleep quality, particularly from conditions […]

Understanding the updated 2026 cholesterol guidelines means understanding your risk and what you can do about it. The latest recommendations from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association shift the focus toward earlier detection, more personalized care, and preventing cardiovascular disease before it develops. These updates help guide when to monitor, when to […]

Energy drinks affect the cardiovascular system in ways that go beyond caffeine alone. The combination of multiple stimulants, higher concentrations per serving, and rapid consumption creates a more intense and immediate response in the heart and blood vessels. This can lead to sharper increases in heart rate and blood pressure in the short term, as […]

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — At 79 years old, Oklahoma City resident Sherry Ratterree wasn’t looking for a medical breakthrough — she simply wanted relief from atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that had begun disrupting her daily life. What she found at CardioVascular Health Clinic was more than treatment. She became one of the first patients […]

A sedentary lifestyle has become a normal part of daily life for many people, whether it’s sitting at a desk, driving, or spending time on screens. While it may not feel harmful in the moment, extended periods of inactivity can quietly affect how your body functions over time. Movement plays a direct role in circulation, […]

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting millions of people every year. It develops when plaque made of cholesterol, calcium, and inflammatory cells gradually builds up inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart. As these blockages grow over time, they can restrict blood flow and cause […]

Heart disease doesn’t usually announce itself.  There’s no warning light, no obvious signal that something is building beneath the surface. For many people, the first symptom of coronary artery disease is a life-altering event like a heart attack. That’s exactly why preventive tools have become so important, and why coronary calcium scans are gaining so much attention.  Instead of waiting […]

The heart’s ability to pump blood depends on more than muscle strength or healthy arteries. Every beat is coordinated by a signaling system that tells the heart when to contract, how quickly to beat, and how to synchronize the movement of its chambers. When that system functions properly, the heart maintains a steady rhythm that […]

Most people associate vascular disease with familiar conditions like peripheral artery disease, aneurysms, or varicose veins. These are widely discussed, regularly screened for, and increasingly well understood. But beyond these common diagnoses lies a category of rare vascular disorders that can be difficult to recognize, challenging to diagnose, and potentially serious if left untreated.  Many of these […]

The heart and lungs work together to move oxygen into the bloodstream and circulate it throughout the body. The right side of the heart sends blood through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs for oxygenation, and the left side pumps oxygen-rich blood to the organs and tissues. When blood flow, oxygen exchange, or pressure in […]