INTEGRIS Health On Your Health Blog

Heart health is paramount to living a full and vibrant life. The good news is there are preventive measures that can safeguard your cardiovascular well-being. Advancements such as calcium heart scans provide valuable insights into your heart's condition.

There are four stages of heart failure, and knowing these stages can provide insight on how to manage it and how to slow down the progression to live an enjoyable life. Luke Cunningham, M.D., an advanced heart failure, transplant and mechanical circulatory support cardiologist for INTEGRIS Health, shares insight on the four stages of heart failure and how to manage it.

Heart disease, AKA cardiovascular disease, affects people with diabetes disproportionately. Most people who have type 2 diabetes will also experience cardiovascular disease. In the United States, about one in ten people has diabetes. Of the many people who have diabetes, about 95 percent have type 2 diabetes. Those are some big numbers.

High cholesterol levels can cause plaque build-ups that increase your risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke. This blog will explain how eating fewer animal products can keep your cholesterol levels at bay.

Eating more veggies and fruits is never a bad idea, just be sure to incorporate enough complete proteins. Without them, you might feel sluggish and lose muscle mass. Fortunately, a little menu planning can help you include enough complete proteins in your diet.

Is maple syrup superior to table sugar? We sought out the answer to those questions by diving into more detail about how sugar affects your body and analyzing the potential health benefits maple syrup has over other options.

In a world full of culinary choices, many people simply don’t like to eat fruits and vegetables. Instead of losing out on vital nutrients necessary to carry out bodily functions, powdered versions of these whole foods have found their way onto store shelves and online marketplaces as a way to bridge the gap.

The American Heart Association has developed a group of seven factors we can evaluate and work on improving, if need be, to minimize our risk of heart disease. This list has been dubbed “Life’s Simple 7.”

A healthy heart is the foundation for a healthy life. No matter your risk factors, there are steps you can take now to reduce your risk of developing heart disease or improve your heart health if you already suffer from heart disease.

Plant compounds called flavonoids are the latest trendy topic believed to have heart-healthy benefits. We will discuss what flavonoids are, which foods you can find them in and how they may impact blood pressure.

Roadblocks in your blood vessels make it tough for blood to pass through, particularly when that blood is traveling relatively far, making its way to the parts of your body that are the greatest distance from your heart ― your hands, fingers, feet and toes. When cells don’t have the oxygen they need, they can’t function well.

What’s the worst that could happen if you avoid the doctor’s office? Better yet, why do you even need a doctor if you’re not sick? The answer: many benign health problems can easily become an issue without proper oversight. We’re here to explore exactly what happens when you neglect your health and why you should prioritize regular checkups.

Air fryers claim to offer the same taste, texture and golden brown crisp of fried foods but with a fraction of the fat and calories. While the capabilities of an air fryer sound convenient and delicious, are they healthy? We explain the benefits and share easy recipes to try.

Preventive health care appointments are critical in helping detect and diagnose certain diseases, disorders and cancers.

The cooking oils section in your local grocery store seemingly grows by the day. How do you know which oils are healthy or the best to cook with? We’re here to help you understand it all.

With the start of a new year, you may be thinking about cleaning up your diet and making healthier lifestyle choices. There are so many different diet lifestyles to try, it can be overwhelming and confusing to figure out what dietary needs are right for you. We explain common diets to help you understand what might work for you.

The type of carbohydrates you consume is more important than the amount you consume. In other words, think quality over quantity. To help set the record straight, we're here to explain how carbohydrates work, outline which healthy carbs you can add to your diet and provide easy recipes to try at home.

Working out at home can be a great alternative to help maintain your fitness goals without breaking the bank. To help you get started, we'll go over home gym essentials, including what equipment you'll need, how to combine design with functionality and where to buy equipment for your home fitness studio.

With the increased demand for plant-based meats, we looked at whether or not these meatless alternatives are healthier than regular meat.

Like high blood pressure or bad cholesterol, having high triglyceride levels increases your risk for heart disease. However, the same lifestyle choices that promote overall health can help lower your triglycerides, too. Here are some tips.