New guidelines for prescribing the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins no longer focus on an individual’s starting blood cholesterol value. Instead, the decision should focus on an individual’s overall risk of heart disease.
Any increase in blood sugar levels is linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. Researchers speculate that this may be because high blood sugar levels are causing more vascular disease or because of insulin resistance.
Statin use guidelines have changed for seemingly healthy adults. Statins are no longer recommended based on a person’s “bad” or LDL cholesterol level. Statins are now advised for people with a heart disease or stroke risk of 7.5% in the next 10 years.
Strengthening the core muscles can help improve one’s balance, posture, and athletic performance. It can also reduce back pain. The core muscles are located in the hips, back, and abdomen.
The tiny MitraClip can be inserted into the heart via a catheter to secure a damaged mitral valve, thereby easing the problems associated with mitral valve regurgitation without the need for open-heart surgery.
The FDA has proposed that trans fats should be taken off the list of additives “generally recognized as safe.”
Dry winter air can suck moisture out of the skin and cause itching. To combat this, one can stop scratching; wear protective clothing when outdoors; use a humidifier; and limit bathing to five minutes in lukewarm water.
It appears that being overweight puts people at risk for heart attack and heart disease, regardless of whether they have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.
For most people there is not much evidence that B vitamin supplements protect against heart disease or various types of dementia.
To find motivation to exercise, doctors advise that people think of exercise as fun, not work; use it as a means to get off medication; work exercise into daily routines such as walking in parking lots; and try workouts of 10 minutes at a time.