Email from HDI High Definition Impressions

February 2025

• HEART DISEASE •

During life’s journey, we expend considerable thought about how to reduce risks. From daily driving and pharma ad disclaimers or avoiding falls to home insurance, safety profiles are worthy to consider.

Importantly, staying out of harm’s way relates to not just driving, but medical issues as well. Did You Know, according to the Center for Disease Control, in the U.S.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most ethnic groups
About 697,000 people died from heart disease in 2020—that’s 1 in every 5 deaths
One person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease ¹

Symptoms may include:

Chest pain, tightness, pressure or discomfort (angina)
Pain in your back, upper belly, neck or throat

Numbness, weakness or coldness in legs or arms
Lightheadedness or fainting

Being mindful of these alarming statistics and symptoms, the American Heart Association provides a wealth of healthy guidance, including:

Click hearts to learn more

In the context of hereditary factors and research-based ways to reduce risks, it is crucial to recognize what warning sign may preclude life-changing consequences. For example, strokes or “brain attacks” and heart attacks share common risk factors such as blood vessel blockage. In fact, the inner ear and cardiovascular system are each sensitive to blood flow and oxygen levels. Perhaps, beyond those age-related, this relates to common risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and smoking.

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Importantly, did you know some types of hearing loss should be considered risk factors which can be systemically associated with heart disease and strokes? Research indicates your inner ear’s sensitivity to blood flow, as well as vessel trauma, may enable hearing loss to be an early indicator of and screening test for heart problems. While few are in the know, most are surprised to learn.

As peer-reviewed research states:

“A strong relationship was found between low -frequency hearing thresholds and cardiovascular events. In both men and women, there was a statistically significant correlation between low-frequency hearing loss and coronary heart disease and stroke.” ²

“Namely, we propose that low-frequency hearing loss is a marker for cardiovascular disease rather than the other way around. Low-frequency hearing loss would thus represent a potential predictor of impending cardiovascular events or underlying disease. We suggest that clinicians may use the audiogram as a sensitive and reproducible screen for cardiovascular compromise.” ³

¹ https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

²Nash SD, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein R, Klein BE, Nieto FJ, Huang GH, Pankow JS, Tweed TS. The prevalence of hearing impairment and associated risk factors: the Beaver Dam Offspring Study. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011 May;137(5):432-9. doi: 10.1001/archoto.2011.15. Epub 2011 Feb 21. PMID: 21339392; PMCID: PMC3096733.

³ Wattamwar K, Qian ZJ, Otter J, Leskowitz MJ, Caruana FF, Siedlecki B, Spitzer JB, Lalwani AK. Association of Cardiovascular Comorbidities With Hearing Loss in the Older Old. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 Jul 1;144(7):623-629. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.0643. PMID: 29902313; PMCID: PMC6145783.

While we take your hearing care seriously, a little laughter goes a long way.

Good Humor, Healthy Hearing

Do you have heart disease or a family history which increases your risk of heart disease-related hearing loss? If so, we suggest periodic evaluations to accurately assess your type and degree of hearing loss. In close coordination with your other healthcare providers, we will suggest healthy options to improve your quality of life and awareness of hearing-related cardiovascular risk factors.

During the month of Valentine’s Day, please accept our heartfelt invitation to visit us soon.

VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION

Exciting news! Focus Hearing has expanded, and we're thrilled to announce our new location. New office, same exceptional hearing care!

7500 W. 160th St, Ste 103

Stilwell, KS 66085

(913) 600-4619

Our Patients Say It Best

“Great place! Dr. and the staff are so friendly and personable. They seem genuinely concerned about you and your hearing needs. Would highly recommend it!”

— Lynn M.