More and more people who receive heart transplants can expect to live at least 20 years. Continuing improvements in immune-suppressing medications may help people who receive transplants live longer, healthier lives.
High blood sugar and other diabetes-related problems harm the heart in several major ways. There are now many ways to better control diabetes and reduce heart risk.
Men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked should be tested for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This potentially life-threatening condition is a ballooning in the wall of the aorta, the heart’s largest artery, in the abdomen.
Being overweight or obese does not protect people with diabetes from heart disease or cancer
Calf or thigh pain while walking that goes away with rest is the hallmark of peripheral artery disease.
Cardiac surgery takes a toll on the body. Following the discharge instructions and avoiding overexertion will help speed recovery and avoid setbacks.
Nitroglycerin, which relieves the chest pain known as angina, can be taken as a short-acting tablet or spray, or longer-acting pill or skin patch. By reducing the heart’s workload, nitroglycerin also helps ease symptoms of heart failure.
Doing active projects around the home and garden may lower a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke by 27%.
Even after many years of not exercising, there are compelling reasons to get active. People who increase their activity in mid- to late life reap benefits in terms of longer life and lower heart disease risk.
Although a study found higher rates of breast cancer among women who took calcium-channel blockers for 10 or more years, this type of study doesn’t prove these medications (which effectively treat blood pressure) caused the cancers.