An online “heart age” calculator can help people understand their risk of heart attack and stroke. The estimate is based on a person’s blood pressure reading, smoking history, body mass index, and whether they have diabetes
Many Americans don’t know the symptoms of a blood clot in a leg or arm (known as deep-vein thrombosis), which include pain, swelling, and redness. A blood clot in the lungs (called a pulmonary embolism) is twice as likely to be fatal as a heart attack.
The FDA has approved idarucizumab (Praxbind), a drug that quickly reverses the effects of the anti-clotting medication dabigatran (Pradaxa).
New innovative devices and procedures are on the horizon for diagnosing and treating heart conditions.
About half of all heart attacks occur in people with “normal” cholesterol levels. Other conditions such as smoking, high blood pressure, or obesity could raise the risk of a heart attack.
Women who have heart attacks before age 60 may be less likely to receive a lifesaving procedure to restore blood flow to the heart than men in that age group. Women were also more likely to die in the hospital compared with men.
Drinking even one sugar-sweetened beverage a day is linked to a slightly greater risk of high blood pressure.
Interval training refers to alternating short, intense bouts of exercise with longer periods of lighter, less vigorous activity. The technique appears to improve cardiovascular fitness as effectively as moderate-intensity exercise but takes less time.
A good way to sharpen thinking skills is to take up an activity that incorporates brain stimulation, physical activity, and social engagement. Ideas include learning to play a new sport or taking a class in dance or tai chi.
Antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) are safe, they’re well tolerated, and they may reduce complications and hospitalizations from influenza.