Image Credit:  https://cpap.community/ What Is a CPAP/BiPAP Titration Study? A CPAP or BiPAP titration study is an overnight sleep study designed to figure out the optimal air pressure necessary to keep the airway open during sleep. It is often performed after a diagnosis of sleep apnea and helps tailor treatment to individual differences. Why Titration Matters While CPAP and BiPAP machines both deliver pressurized air, the correct pressure level is key. Too little pressure m

Rotational atherectomy: a diamond-tipped burr is advanced through a narrowed coronary artery to grind calcified plaque into tiny particles, helping restore blood flow. What it is? Atherectomy is a catheter based procedure used to remove or modify plaque inside an artery. Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol, calcium, and scar like material that can narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow. Atherectomy is performed through a small tube placed into an artery, often in the groin

Note: There are a few types of sleep apnea with obstructive sleep apnea being the most common, which is the focus of this piece. Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm, in the world, affecting around 5 million people just in the United States. A diagnosis of atrial fibrillation can have many downstream effects; long-term fatigue, increased risk for stroke, and overall increased risk of death. In modern days, it is a manageable condition a

By Jennifer Navarro MSN, RN, NPD-BC Hypertension High blood pressure, also called hypertension (HTN), is a very common health issue in the United States, affecting both men and women about equally. The reasons people develop high blood pressure are complicated, and it can happen to anyone, but it tends to be more severe and starts at a younger age in African American communities, often leading to more health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventio

Why “High Cholesterol” Is More Serious Than It Sounds Many people casually say they have “high cholesterol,” usually followed by advice to cut down on oily foods. What often gets missed is that this simple phrase describes a medical condition called dyslipidemia, one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke worldwide. Dyslipidemia rarely causes pain or obvious warning signs. That silence is exactly why it is dangerous. Problems can build quietly in the blood v

Introduction Despite the widespread success of statins and PCSK9 inhibitors in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of death globally. A significant portion of this "residual risk" is driven by Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a genetically determined lipoprotein that affects approximately 20% of the global population (>1.4 billion people). Unlike LDL-C, Lp(a) levels are resistant to diet, exerci

Introduction Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) stands as the most common inherited cardiac disease, fundamentally characterized by unexplained thickening of the heart muscle and hypercontractility. In patients with the obstructive subtype (oHCM), the hypertrophied muscle acts like a roadblock, impeding the ejection of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta (Left Ventricular Outflow Tract [LVOT] obstruction). This results in debilitating symptoms such as dyspnea, chest p

Note: There are a number of methods used to monitor heart rhythms outside of the hospital for diagnostic purposes, also known as remote cardiac monitoring. While those are valuable tools, this article focuses solely on the methods used in an inpatient or hospital setting. Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death in the world for the last 100 years, creating a significant burden on patients and the healthcare system. In 2021, there were over 4.6 million cardi

Every sip of water may carry more than hydration—it could deliver invisible plastic particles to your body. Once thought of only as an environmental concern, microplastics are now showing up inside human arteries, raising urgent questions about their impact on heart health. What Microplastics Are and Where They’re Found Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size. They can be primary—manufactured intentionally, such as microbeads in cosmetics—o

Introduction In recent years, drugs like tirzepatide and semaglutide, originally developed for diabetes, have captured global attention for their remarkable weight-loss effects. But scientists are now discovering that the benefits of these medicines extend far beyond the bathroom scale. New studies are revealing powerful effects on the heart, liver, and overall metabolism, suggesting that GLP-1 receptor agonists could reshape the way we treat some of the most common chronic d

Most people think of heartbreak as an emotional ache — something that hurts but eventually fades away. Yet for some, intense stress or grief can literally break the heart. Known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, or "broken heart syndrome," this rare condition causes the heart muscle to suddenly weaken after a shock, like losing a loved one or experiencing extreme fear. Though it often looks like a heart attack, the cause isn't a blocked artery but the body's own stress respo

While melatonin is widely considered a benign over-the-counter sleep aid, a recent large observational study suggests that chronic use (≥12 months) may be associated with a significantly increased risk of incident heart failure, hospitalisation, and mortality in adults with insomnia. These findings—presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2025—raise important questions about the long-term cardiovascular safety of melatonin. Given the study’s obs

What is Pulmonary Hypertension? Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a disease in which the blood vessels connecting the heart and the lungs develop high blood pressure. This can lead to fluid congestion in the lungs and dysfunction of the right side of the heart, known as Right Heart Failure. Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms of PH vary from person to person, but commonly include the following: Shortness of Breath (worse with exercise or lying flat) Fatigue Dizziness/lig

a person dressed in red, rushing by a wall of clocks; photo courtesy of Unsplash Daylight saving time begins in March and ends in November; learn how to protect your health and well-being despite the twice-yearly time change.   What is daylight savings time? The first Sunday in November traditionally marks the end of daylight-saving time. In the United States, clocks are turned back one hour to standard time. This change results in a gain of an hour of daylight at the start o

The Problem: A Heart That Can't Heal Itself Heart disease remains one of the world’s top killers, largely because the human heart has almost no natural ability to repair itself. When heart tissue is damaged, like after a heart attack, the lost cardiomyocytes (the muscle cells that make the heart beat) do not grow back. As a result, many patients face long-term heart failure, and even transplants are limited by donor shortages and rejection risks. Stem Cells Enter The Picture

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)  is a rare condition characterized by high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. The pulmonary arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. The increased blood pressure can cause blood to back up in the right side of the heart. The right ventricle stretches like a water balloon, crowding out the left ventricle, making that smaller and less effective at pumping blood. A backup of blood

What is a heart attack? A heart attack is also known as a Myocardial Infarction. It is due to blockage to the flow of blood that brings oxygen to a part of the heart muscle. If the heart muscle is not fixed quick enough, the heart muscle will begin to die. Affecting factors Age Lifestyle Habits Other medical conditions can be some of the reasons to a heart happening. Symptoms Chest and upper body pain Shortness of breath Dizziness Sweating Nausea (National Heart, Lung and Blo

What is myocardial infarction?   A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle (the myocardium) is suddenly blocked, most often by a blood clot. An MI can sometimes go unnoticed, but it may also lead to severe complications such as hemodynamic deterioration—an inadequate supply of oxygen to the body’s organs—or even death. The primary cause of myocardial infarction is coronary artery disease, though genetic factors

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack or stroke. Yet the most remarkable fact about heart disease is this: more than 80% of premature heart disease and strokes are preventable. Despite this, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming more lives each year than all cancers combined. Why is there such a gap between what we know and what we do? The answer lies in how our healthcare system, and often individuals themse

Gestational hypertension is characterized by blood pressure equal to or greater than 140/90 mmHg. It increases risks for both the baby and the mother, such as preterm birth, organ damage, and placental abruption. The diagnosis is made when symptoms such as headaches, swelling, and vision changes are accompanied by blood pressure readings consistently at 140/90 mmHg or higher. Gestational hypertension affects 8-10% of all pregnancies. Studies show that hypertension disorders c