Category: heart-letter

Cardiologists offer advice to people with cardiovascular conditions who are traveling on cruise ships.

New guidelines for CPR say to do chest compressions only and skip mouth-to-mouth breaths. Scientists are still looking for ways to boost HDL cholesterol. Periodontal treatment may be beneficial to the heart and arteries.

People living with heart failure need to pay attention to warning signs, such as shortness of breath, or swelling of the ankles or feet, that may indicate a worsening of their condition.

The American Diabetes Association has set a standard for measuring blood sugar that expresses the information in two different forms, corresponding to the way the reading is given in medical tests and also in home testting.

Travel to high-altitude locations is risky for people with heart disease, but knowing the limitations of the condition and taking proper precautions can make the trip possible for some.

Frequent use of pain relievers can irritate the stomach, digestive tract, or possibly the heart and blood vessels. For people with heart disease, a study suggests that regular use of naproxen will not harm the heart.

Brief reports on a potential alternative to warfarin, the added harm of cholesterol in fried foods, reducing stroke risk, and comparing higher doses of a statin with a combination drug.

Two new medications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, one for people with atrial fibrillation and one that works to fight the formation of clots.

A long-term study of treatment for stable coronary artery disease found that angioplasty was no better than the combination of medication and lifestyle changes at preventing future heart disease or prolonging life.

The results of a large trial suggest that people with LDL cholesterol in the normal range but with a high C-reactive protein level may benefit from taking a statin. This may lead to increased use of the CRP to test for heart disease.