heart-letter
Estrogen is beneficial for controlling symptoms of menopause, but its benefits for younger women seem to become risks for older women, so it should not be taken to prevent heart disease.
A comparison of several different diet strategies found that the choice of diet is less important than cutting daily calorie intake and exercising enough to burn extra calories.
Generic versions of the blood-pressure drug Norvasc will save consumers money. A high-fiber diet may lower C-reactive protein, which contributes to inflammation of arteries.
Researchers are hoping to one day be able to use stem cells to repair heart muscle damaged by a heart attack, but so far the tests have not succeeded.
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.
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.
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.
A number of odd connections exist between body parts and the cardiovascular system.
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 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.