Category: heart-letter

I know that eating fish is good for the heart. But fresh fish costs a lot and I can’t get to the grocery store very often. Does eating canned fish help?

Drug-coated stents were thought to cause a higher occurrence of thrombosis (clots) compared to bare-metal stents, but further research has shown the incidence to be about the same. Many people with a blocked artery could benefit from a drug-coated stent.

Some medications taken by people with heart disease to counteract water buildup in the body can remove too much potassium from the body, while others can leave too much behind.

Shellfish may not offer the same protection against heart disease as finned fish, but it is still a healthier alternative to red meat.

Women who experience preeclampsia during a pregnancy may be at higher risk of a heart attack, stroke, or other heart disease later in life.

Tests such as CT scans have become crucial tools in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases and conditions, but the radiation exposure from these tests may lead to an increased risk of developing cancer.

My husband is taking arginine and citrulline supplements because he read that they will protect his heart and arteries. Should I try these supplements, too, or is this a waste of money?

Starting treatment quickly provides the best chance of surviving a heart attack. If you think you are having a heart attack, you should call 911 rather than have someone take you to the hospital, because paramedics can start treatment on the way there.

The diabetes drug Avandia may increase the risk of heart attack in those taking it. Other medications are as effective at lowering blood sugar without Avandia’s risks.

A small but growing number of people develop an infection after having a pacemaker or ICD implanted. Research has found that taking antibiotics before the procedure reduces the risk of infection.