heart-letter
The recommendation to take beta blockers before noncardiac surgery is now tempered by the information that the drug should be started a few days prior to surgery.
A clinical trial measuring the effectiveness of maintaining tight control of blood sugar in diabetics was ended early due to a higher than expected number of deaths, but keeping blood sugar below a certain level is still important for those with diabetes.
A CT scan for calcium buildup in arteries near the heart can help predict the likelihood of an attack, but its cost outweighs its usefulness in people with low risk of heart disease.
The steps that should be taken to prevent dementia are also likely to help protect the heart and the rest of the body.
Fish oil contains beneficial omega-3 fats, but people with heart failure, angina, or an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) should minimize their consumption of fish, and should not take fish oil capsules.
Our bodies need protein, carbohydrates, and fat, but some kinds are better for us than others. It’s important to eat the right kinds and quantities of these components in order to receive the most benefit from them.
There is plenty of information available online to help you learn about cardiovascular health, but not all of it is unbiased or accurate.
A researcher has determined that the recommended “moderate intensity” exercise level can be accomplished by walking at least 100 steps per minute. An inexpensive pedometer can help you determine your walking speed.
People with peripheral artery disease will most likely benefit from an exercise regimen, regardless of whether or not they are experiencing the leg pain that frequently accompanies the condition.
Brief updates on the benefit of the Maze procedure, St. John’s wort’s interference with statins, the safety of angioplasty performed through the radial artery, and the cardiac risks of newer antipsychotic drugs.