December 2017

Oklahoma Woman Finds New Purpose in the Midst of Cardiac Issues

Janet Emde spent most of her adult life working in the corporate world. During her career, she traveled the world seeing great things, but doing work that never truly fulfilled her. On the last trip with her former employer, she was sent to India. While she was there, Emde caught a glimpse of the native women dancing in their saris and was inspired to take a chance on something she had never done. “It was like a wave of something came over me,” explained Emde. “All of the sudden, I knew I didn’t want to work at my job anymore.

Oklahoma Father Shows Gratitude for Care Given at Oklahoma Heart Institute

A few months ago, Bill Trentham, a farmer in rural Oklahoma, experienced shortness of breath and immediately knew something wasn’t right. “During the first week of October, I felt like I couldn’t breathe, so I called and got an appointment with Oklahoma Heart Institute cardiologist, Dr. Alan Kaneshige,” said Trentham. “He explained that I had congestive heart failure and immediately referred me to the emergency room. He was kind enough to call ahead for me so I wouldn’t have to wait.

How to Stay Heart-Healthy this Holiday Season

The holidays are a time of celebration, but for some, it can be very stressful. In the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, it’s easy to neglect our own self-care. For those with heart problems, it is an especially sensitive time of year. Research shows that deaths from heart attacks peak during December and January. Possible causes include changes in diet, increased alcohol consumption, cold weather, traveling and family matters.

Battling the Numbers: New Blood Pressure Guidelines

For the first time in 14 years, a new set of blood pressure guidelines have been released by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. Previously, high blood pressure was defined with a reading of 140/90 or higher. Now, individuals with readings of 130 over 80 are considered to have high blood pressure, putting approximately 46% of adults in the United States in the category of hypertension.