heart-letter
Americans’ bellies are getting bigger, a trend that’s likely due to an increase in visceral fat, which surrounds the internal organs and raises the risk of heart disease.
Areas of plaque in the coronary arteries that are too small to be detected on a stress test are known as non-obstructive coronary artery disease.
Deep, slow breathing may dampen nerve activity that activates the “fight-or-flight” response, causing blood vessels to relax and widen. RESPeRATE, an FDA-approved device that slows a person’s breathing, may help lower blood pressure.
Cutting back on salt is the first commandment for controlling high blood pressure. But getting plenty of other important minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium is also critical.
Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs have been linked to various side effects. But some widely held beliefs about how the drugs affect your memory, muscles, and other habits aren’t accurate.
Among retired professional football players, linemen (who mainly tackle and guard other players) tend to be heavier, have bigger waists, and show more signs of hardening of the arteries compared with men who played other positions.
I had a heart attack several years ago and have been taking low-dose aspirin ever since to prevent a second one. But I keep hearing about the bleeding risks caused by aspirin. What should I be watching for?
Are vitamin D supplements a good idea?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition marked by excess fat in the liver, is strongly linked to a higher risk of dangerous plaque in the coronary arteries.
Swapping regular salt for sodium-free or lower-sodium alternatives helps people scale back their sodium intake. One option is to use a potassium chloride salt, but many people prefer herb and spice blends.