Category: heart-letter

The body’s process of turning fat into artery-blocking plaque is described and illustrated.

Besides the nutritional benefits, eating beans regularly can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of a heart attack.

How can I figure out how many calories I should take in every day?

Brief reports on the beneficial effect of weight loss on the heart, eating a Mediterranean-style diet to control blood sugar, and an attempt to compare angioplasty and exercise as treatments for angina.

Eating a healthy breakfast has always been a smart nutritional choice. A breakfast containing whole grains and fruits may lead to reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, or other cardiovascular ills.

I had a quadruple bypass seven years ago. A few months back I found myself taking frequent short breaths when I climbed the stairs. Once I stopped exerting myself, my breathing soon returned to normal. Is this due to a problem with my heart or lungs?

People with high blood pressure who regularly monitor their blood pressure at home seem more likely to lower their pressure over time than those who only have it checked at a doctor’s office.

I had a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test that was 38.6, which my doctor said was quite high. My cholesterol was fine. A heart scan and stress test were normal. When my doctor repeated the test, my hsCRP was 6.1. What can cause such variations?

Exercise helps boost the body’s production of HDL cholesterol, but the amount of the increase can vary. The longer the workout, the more the body’s HDL cholesterol level is likely to be raised.

I had stents placed. My doctor told me to take Plavix and aspirin indefinitely. Now I need a hernia repair. My surgeon said to stop taking the drugs before the operation. My cardiologist says that would increase my chance of a clot in one of the stents.