Month: April 2010

In an emergency cardiac arrest situation, rapid cooling of the body can improve a person’s chance of survival and limit the possibility of brain damage.

A Dutch study that recommends starting to take a statin medication prior to having vascular surgery supports existing advice from the American Heart Association.

A new type of CT scan produces a clearer image of the heart than current methods, and without the need for an invasive catheter. Though there are some drawbacks to its use, the test may be helpful in emergency settings, when a quick diagnosis is needed.

Salt intake affects blood pressure, and can increase the risk of heart disease. Most of the salt people eat is added to foods during processing, so it is relatively easy to reduce salt consumption by choosing foods more carefully.

A number of odd connections exist between body parts and the cardiovascular system.

The American Heart Association recommends that people with type 2 diabetes should undertake an exercise program combining aerobic exercise with strength training. This strategy is best for protecting the heart and improving muscles’ response to insulin.

Deep-vein thrombosis is a clot that forms in a leg or arm vein. Sometimes a piece of the clot can break away and travel through the bloodstream. If the clot lodges in a lung, it can be fatal.

Brief updates on a possible connection between age-related macular degeneration and heart disease, the effectiveness of diuretics to treat metabolic syndrome, and an alternate way to test for claudication.