heart-letter
Coronary artery calcium scans, which measure specks of calcium in the heart’s arteries, may accurately predict a person’s risk of dying over the following 15 years.
Tai chi may improve a number of cardiovascular conditions, especially heart failure. The benefits are thought to arise from its combined focus on movement, breathing, and focused, relaxed attention.
For heart disease prevention, plant-based protein sources, such as beans and nuts, are healthier than animal-based protein sources, such as red meat and eggs.
Statins are usually the first choice to lower LDL cholesterol levels in most people who need medications, but some still fail to reach their desired targets. A new class of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors may be able to pick up the slack.
Exposure to traffic noise may slightly raise a person’s risk of being hospitalized for a stroke and from dying of any cause. The noise may boost stress hormone levels, which can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
During a bout of atrial fibrillation, blood can stagnate and form clots, which can travel to the brain. An improved scoring system can help identify high stroke risk.
The side effects of some blood pressure medications can leave people dizzy or lightheaded. But these medications do not appear to increase the risk of falling among older people.
The buildup of cholesterol-laden plaque in the arteries that supply the kidneys can lead to atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.
People in certain minority groups in the United States face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than others.
Among older people, moderate drinking – one drink a day for women, two for men – may cause worrisome changes in the heart’s structure and function.