Category: heart-letter

Eating before having a blood pressure test can artificially lower the reading by a few points.

Healthy people who do not have existing cardiovascular disease are unlikely to benefit from a daily aspirin.

I am 85. I had an angioplasty with a stent and I’m on aspirin and Plavix. Now I have atrial fibrillation, and my doctor wants me to take Coumadin. Is this dangerous? Should I stop taking aspirin and Plavix? Or could I just take them without the Coumadin?

An article on very high triglycerides in the February 2008 issue neglected to mention that cutting back on processed carbohydrates and replacing them with whole, minimally processed foods can substantially lower triglycerides.

Because some foods are now fortified with folic acid, people who take multivitamins may be getting too much of it. This can block the body’s ability to process folate, the natural form of folic acid, which in turn may be linked to heart disease.

Brief updates on a warfarin information booklet, a possible link between loop diuretics and bone loss, and a drug for peripheral artery disease that may also help prevent strokes.

Readers suggest alternative terms for a transient ischemic attack.

I am a fairly healthy 52-year-old man. For many years I have felt like I have ADHD. A recent work-up confirmed my suspicion. My doctor suggested I take Ritalin. Is that okay for the heart?

I often get mail from companies like Life Line Screening about having tests to look for “hidden” heart risks. The events are usually held at a local church and cost about $130. Are these tests valid? Are they worth the money?

For people who need medication to lower blood pressure, there are two types of drugs available. ACE inhibitors have been available longer than ARBs. They are comparably effective, though several ACE inhibitors are available in generic form.