Blog Archive

Strokes 一 often referred to as "brain attacks" 一 can have severe consequences, including disability and even death. Yet, the Stroke Awareness Foundation estimates that 80% of strokes are preventable.  Understanding your risk factors is the first step in reducing your risk of having a stroke.  Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques and...

If you've ever experienced the sensation of your heart racing or fluttering in your chest, you know just how unsettling it can be. These palpitations can make you feel like your heart is doing somersaults inside your chest, leaving you anxious and worried about your health. While there can be...

There are many reasons why you might need an electrocardiogram (EKG). This painless diagnostic test measures the electrical activity of your heart and provides a wealth of information about your heart. EKGs are used to help diagnose conditions, rule out conditions, and assess current treatments. But what exactly can you learn from...

One of the most significant factors for having high cholesterol is your diet, but the good news is that your diet is 100% within your control. This means that even if your diet isn’t so great, you can take matters into your hands and give your diet a makeover.  But...

Stress tests help evaluate how well your heart functions under exertion. These tests are designed to monitor your heart's response to physical stress, such as exercise, and can provide Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques with valuable insights into your cardiovascular health.  However, it’s natural to wonder what happens if you don't pass your stress test....

Varicose veins 一 a common condition notorious for causing enlarged, twisted veins 一 affect as many as 35% of Americans.  If someone in your family has varicose veins, you might wonder whether varicose veins run in families and if there is a genetic predisposition to developing this condition.  Below, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques and our...

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common medical condition that affects nearly half of all American adults. It occurs when the force (pressure) of blood against the walls of your blood vessels is chronically high 一 at least 130mmHg over 80 mmHg 一 leading to damage of...

Dr. Henock Saint-Jaques and our team here at Harlem Cardiology know firsthand how intimately related diet and heart health are. In other words, spring cleaning your diet isn’t just a fad. It’s a potentially life-saving modification that can help reduce your risk of heart attack and strokes. Read on to explore these tips...

Cholesterol 一 an often misunderstood substance 一 comes in many forms. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carries cholesterol particles around your body, and because these particles can accumulate and clog your arteries, LDL is known as the “bad” cholesterol. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) collects cholesterol particles and transports them to...

A stress test 一 sometimes called a cardiac stress test 一 measures how well blood flows through your heart under external stress. Because certain heart issues may not be visible when you’re resting, the added stress (either through exercise or pharmacological stimulation) can help reveal issues by raising your heart...

Chest pain is a hallmark symptom of a heart attack, and because of that, chest pain should always be taken seriously until you can determine that you’re not having a heart attack. There are many causes of chest pain unrelated to your heart, and this type of chest pain is...

Strokes are a serious and sometimes fatal condition. They happen when blood flow to your brain is interrupted. When your brain cells stop receiving oxygen, they die, leading to brain death and, in severe cases, death. The good news is that strokes can be treated if they’re caught quickly. Clot-busting...

You’ve probably experienced a heart-pounding moment or two. Maybe you spent time on a thrill ride at a local amusement park. Or maybe you jumped during a scary movie. While the occasional heart-pounding moment is nothing to worry about, when should you worry about palpitations? Palpitations are more than just...

Stress tests 一 sometimes called exercise tests 一 use an electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess how well your heart functions when you exercise. These exercises place stress on your heart and can reveal issues that aren’t always visible when your heart’s at rest. Understandably, the results of stress tests are useful for diagnosing heart...

Electrocardiograms (EKG) are noninvasive, painless tests that reveal information about your heart. The EKG reading can provide information about your heart rate and rhythm, if you’ve had a previous heart attack, and if there’s adequate blood flow reaching your heart. It can also tell you if you have an irregular...

Varicose veins aren’t exclusive to pregnancy, but pregnancy can contribute to the development of varicose veins. About 40% of expectant mothers develop varicose veins. But what is it about pregnancy that makes vein issues more common?  Below, Dr. Henock Saint-Jaques explores the link between pregnancy and varicose veins 一 and what you can do if...

Your blood pressure is the force at which your blood travels through your blood vessels. Both low blood pressure and high blood pressure can cause problems. Low blood pressure might make you faint, feel nauseous, have blurry vision, or feel light-headed.  High blood pressure, sometimes called hypertension, might not cause any symptoms....

Stress tests go by many names: cardiac stress test, stress EKG, exercise test, and exercise stress test. Regardless of what name you call it, this test shows how hard your heart works during physical activity.  Dr. Henock Saint-Jaques may use stress electrocardiograms (EKGs) to help diagnose coronary artery disease, to monitor the...

Strokes happen when blood flow to the brain is compromised either by a clot or a ruptured artery. According to the American Stroke Association, strokes are the fifth leading cause of death, and the longer the brain is deprived of oxygen, the more complications can arise. In other words, when...

The American Heart Association recommends that adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. The benefits of exercise are seemingly endless. It boosts your mood, helps fight anxiety and depression, lowers cortisol, improves mental clarity, helps you sleep better at night, reduces your risk of strokes, and helps you improve your...

The relationship between depression and heart disease has been studied for decades. This relationship is a “two-way street” in which depression can exacerbate heart disease and vice versa. But what about anxiety? Can anxiety disorder create the same type of heart problems as depression?  As a board-certified cardiologist, Dr. Henock Saint-Jaques and his team of...

A good night of sleep is more than just “beauty rest.” Getting good sleep is linked to your mental wellness and your physical health. Inadequate sleep increases brain fog and mood swings, weakens your immune system, and takes a toll on your cardiovascular health 一 even raising your blood pressure. ...

It goes without saying that your heart is one of your most important organs, and the thought of something wrong with your heart can be overwhelming. Although heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, many cardiovascular conditions can be prevented or even reversed. As...

Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause serious and life-threatening cardiac events. The good news is that blood pressure can often be improved with lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes, stress management, and regular exercise. One of the most important dietary changes you can make to lower your blood pressure...

Preparing for the holidays often involves plenty of shopping on Fifth Avenue, planning meticulous menus, and decorating your home. But you should also prepare your heart for the busyness of the holiday season. Holiday heart syndrome is a real condition that highlights the stress that the holiday season puts on...

Varicose veins are notorious for causing discolored, enlarged veins. While they are often a cosmetic concern, untreated varicose veins can also cause other problems like aches, heaviness, and even increased risk for blood clots. Thankfully, varicose vein treatments here at Harlem Cardiology in East Harlem, New York can eliminate the...

Strokes, sometimes called “brain attacks,” happen when blood flow to your brain is compromised. If you’re having a stroke, every minute counts: Swift treatment can potentially save your life. But how do you know if you or a loved one are having a stroke? Below, Dr. Henock Saint-Jaques and his...

Because high blood pressure doesn’t usually cause symptoms, it’s often referred to as a silent killer. High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, but thankfully, high blood pressure is easily detected with a sphygmomanometer.  Once high blood pressure is confirmed, it’s essential to safely lower your...

You might benefit from an electrocardiogram (EKG) and a stress test if you have symptoms of heart disease or if you have a history of heart disease. Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques can use the results of your stress test to see if your symptoms (such as shortness of breath) are related...

Severe heartburn and heart attacks can both cause chest discomfort, but knowing which one you’re dealing with can potentially save your life. As a highly experienced cardiologist, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques diagnoses the cause of your chest pain and recommends the appropriate treatment.  Because some causes of chest pain can require...

Stress is a common factor in nearly everyone’s life, but how often you experience stress (and how severe it is) can take a toll on your body. Stomach aches, headaches, and muscle tension are common physical responses to stress.  As an experienced cardiologist, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques wants you to know...

Blocked arteries are known for causing two medical emergencies: heart attacks and strokes. While a heart attack occurs when an artery leading to the heart is blocked, a stroke occurs when an artery leading to the brain is blocked. Because of this connection, strokes are sometimes called brain attacks. Unfortunately,...

Heart murmurs aren’t always dangerous, but they can (but not always) indicate an underlying heart condition. As an experienced cardiologist, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques can diagnose and treat heart murmurs — and any underlying heart conditions that contributed to the development of your murmur. In this article, we’ll explore what heart...

High blood pressure affects nearly 67 million Americans, but unfortunately, 31 million of those don’t have their hypertension managed, increasing their risk of developing complications from high blood pressure. As an experienced cardiologist, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques can help you manage your blood pressure levels through medication and lifestyle modifications. If...

Varicose veins are notorious for causing twisted, bulging veins on your legs. These problematic veins don’t just cause cosmetic concerns, though. They frequently cause aches, heaviness, and, if left untreated, can lead to other problems like ulcers. Whether you’re dealing with varicose veins that hurt, or you simply just don’t...

Chest pain is perhaps the most well-known heart attack symptom, but it’s not the only one ― especially for women. Women may experience more subtle symptoms that are often mistakenly attributed to other conditions. Regardless of what types of symptoms you have,  Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques of Harlem Cardiology knows that...

Feeling your heart skip can make you think something is wrong with your heart, and that’s a worrying feeling. Heart palpitations are very common, and, usually, they are nothing to worry about. However, heart palpitations can be a sign of a more serious condition, so it’s always a good idea...

Almost 35% of Americans have varicose veins, according to the Society of Vascular Surgery. If you’re one of the 35%, you might experience anything from achiness to skin discoloration to itchy skin.  Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques of Harlem Cardiology understands the complexities of varicose veins — and that they aren’t just...

High blood pressure is often dubbed “the silent killer” because you don’t feel the effects of high blood pressure. Unless you have regular blood pressure readings, it’s nearly impossible to know you’ve got hypertension. High blood pressure can develop slowly over the years, and if it’s left untreated, it can...

Normally, your heartbeat makes a two-beat sound similar to “lub-DUP.” According to Mayo Clinic, the “lub-DUP” noise is the sound of your valves opening and closing.  However, sometimes turbulent blood flow can cause a whooshing noise too. If whooshing or swishing (i.e., the sound of your blood flowing) is heard...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals with underlying health conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing complications associated with COVID-19. This includes heart disease, coronary artery disease, and cardiomyopathies. As researchers continue to learn more about the virus, they have discovered that the virus...

Peripheral artery disease — often called just PAD — affects as many as 12 million adults. That’s about 1 in 20 adults over the age of 50 who struggle with clogged veins in the legs. As with clogged veins in the heart, clogged veins are very serious and can increase...

Over 65 million Americans have heart failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While you might suspect that heart failure has symptoms similar to heart attack, that’s not the case. The most common symptoms for heart failure include swelling in the legs or abdomen, shortness of breath...

Did you know that your heartbeat is triggered by an electrical impulse? According to the experts at Mayo Clinic, specific cells — dubbed pacemaker cells — create electrical impulses in the upper right chamber of your heart. While this is a cool fact all by itself, it also explains how...

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, that affects nearly 3-6 million people in the United States. Also known as AFib or AF, atrial fibrillation can increase your risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart conditions. Fortunately, there are steps you can take...

Sometimes your heart skips a beat, and it’s not because you’re in love. Should you be concerned about heart palpitations that suddenly occur out of nowhere?  There are many reasons your heart may skip a beat, or palpitate, and not all of them are serious. At Harlem Cardiology on Madison...

You might be surprised to learn that heart murmurs are quite common. Many people are born with a heart murmur or develop one during childhood, and then outgrow it in adulthood. Others live with a heart murmur all their lives and never even realize it.  These “innocent” heart murmurs, as...

Do you struggle with stress on a regular basis? Are you worried about how this stress can affect your overall health? Because high-pressure situations can raise your blood pressure, it’s important to be aware of how your health can potentially be at risk. Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques has years of experience providing...

Heart disease is the top cause of death in both women and men in the United States. It’s important to seek out medical attention immediately if you suspect you’re having a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack are different in women than men, so women might not realize they’re...

23 percent of Americans suffer from unsightly varicose veins. Are you one of them? For most people, the bulging, twisted appearance of these bumpy veins is their top concern. Which leads them to cover up their legs and avoid places where their legs are exposed, like the beach or pool. ...

Finding out that you have high LDL cholesterol means that you have to get serious about your health. When your LDL levels are elevated to more than 130, cholesterol accumulates in your arteries. This leads to potentially life-threatening conditions, including: Atherosclerosis Heart disease Heart attack  Stroke Chest pain Luckily, in...

Heart problems aren’t always visible when the heart is in a resting state. A stress test involves a monitored exercise session that helps find the cause of problematic heart symptoms or determine if you may require more extensive treatments for your heart condition, such as surgery.  At Harlem Cardiology on...

Two-thirds of the adult population in the United States is dealing with some form of high blood pressure, whether it’s the slightly elevated stage of prehypertension or the elevated stage of full hypertension. Of those with high blood pressure, almost half of them have no control over the condition.  Since...

At 50-something, you may feel invincible, but strokes can strike at any age. While the elderly still have a corner on the market, more and more younger folks are succumbing to strokes these days. In fact, it’s the third-leading cause of death in the United States, and 25% of stroke...