Deciding to change is hard. It’s even harder to make that decision, stick with it and improve your life. Oklahoma native Wanda Vogel, 68, knew how hard it can be to change your path. She had the warning of prediabetes and a registered dietitian daughter pushing her to change, but none of that was enough…

Millions of Americans have diabetes and yet are unaware of their condition. However, that was not the case for Oklahoma native Robert Amey who had two siblings suffer from this condition. “I’m the oldest of six children and two were diabetic,” Amey said. “I lost both of them.” Amey’s youngest brother was born with both…

Not all, but most. Highly processed foods can be manufactured with ingredients that are not typically used in cooking. Packaged foods can also be loaded with high amounts of sodium, sugar and fat. Susannah McCabe, registered dietitian with Oklahoma Heart Institute, speaks to the negative impact packaged or processed foods have on our bodies. “Processed…

The answer is no, but let’s start by explaining the connection between atrial fibrillation and stroke. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is generally not a life-threatening condition, but it can lead to serious medical complications, such as stroke. An irregular heart rhythm allows blood to pool in the heart, which can cause clots to form. According to…

Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, can happen to anyone. But can it be passed down from a family member? The answer is yes. Having a family member with AFib increases your chances of being diagnosed. Atrial fibrillation that is inherited is called familial atrial fibrillation. Although the exact incidence of an inherited abnormality of…

It’s that simple. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib). Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. We know that older age increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation — but that’s not all. Other major contributing factors…

Kathleen Marshall is always on the go. “I get up in the morning, hit the ground running and I go all day long,” Marshall said. The 68-year-old stays busy navigating life with her three children, five grandchildren and a booming business, Kathleen’s Kids, to run. Marshall also regularly attends ballroom dance and tai chi classes.…

March 2019 marked 30 years since the beginning of Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI). In celebration of this milestone, Dr. Wayne Leimbach, one of the founders of OHI and current medical director, shared what technologies he has been most impressed with during this time and what’s he’s most excited to see in the future at OHI. “When…

Karen Langston started working for Hillcrest HealthCare System in the 1970s. “I worked as a unit secretary for a few years, left for a while then came back in 1977 and started the radiologist technologist program that was offered at the time,” said Langston. Upon graduating from the program in 1980, Langston began working in…

Pete Dubois was out riding his bicycle in the spring of 2016, one of his favorite hobbies, when he started feeling bad. “I felt so awful I ended up going to the hospital,” said Dubois. “Over the next few months, I had several stents put in and then underwent an open heart procedure.” In the…