Atrial fibrillation (Afib or AF) is a condition in which the heart sometimes fails to beat at a steady rhythm, causing episodes of irregular and rapid heartbeats. This is caused by faulty signals from the electrical currents that control the heartbeat. The condition is more common in older adults, says E. Michael Powers, MD, MBA, cardiac electrophysiologist. “The atria, the heart’s two upper…

Jackson Casteel’s parents were given a bleak outlook after he was born at their local hospital in central Iowa: “Enjoy him for as long as you can.” Jackson’s parents had prepared for the worst, that Jackson might not survive birth, but as his mother Sara tells it, she knew from the moment he was born that Jackson was a fighter. So, the first-time parents put the heartbreaking moment behind them…

Evelyn Eilers’ first birthday party had a lot of what most first birthday parties have: cake, balloons, presents. But Evelyn isn’t like most 1-year-olds. Born Sept. 9, 2023, she weighed just 8.46 ounces, making her the tiniest surviving baby in the United States. She came 17 weeks early and was in the neonatal intensive care unit at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital…

Sports medicine focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing sports-related injuries. Doctors in this field merge medical and exercise knowledge to help people of all ages and competitive backgrounds, whether treating an injury or helping them prevent injuries and meet fitness goals. But how do you know if you should see a sports medicine specialist in the first place? “If you have an acute…

As respiratory virus season looms, understanding the potential impact and taking preventive measures to protect yourself and others in your community is important. Regardless of what this year’s respiratory season is predicted to look like, the best way to prepare is getting vaccinated. To understand better what this year’s season could bring, we talked to infectious disease specialist and…

Sixteen-year-old Haidyn Ulrich is many things. She’s an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan, a performer, a top student, an aspiring nurse, and a survivor of pediatric cancer. Haidyn had been healthy until she was 7, when she experienced neck pain and began sleeping for 22 hours at a time. Numerous tests finally led to a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia – a cancer of the blood and bone marrow – and…

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is one of the most common kinds of arrhythmias (irregularities in heartbeat) and can put patients with the condition at an increased risk for other heart problems, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease (CAD), and heart attack. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle and limiting AFib triggers can reduce your symptoms and risk of heart disease.

Kyle Glienke, MD, has deep roots in northwest Iowa. He grew up helping milk the cows in the morning on the family farm near Aurelia. His mother was a nurse at the hospital where he now works. He lives on an acreage just outside of Storm Lake with his wife, Ashlee, and their three young children. “It’s a wonderful place to raise a family,” Glienke says. “We both live close to our parents, and that…