Category: heart-letter

I know that sometimes people have high blood pressure only at the doctor?s office but normal blood pressure at home. But can the opposite also happen?

A test showed a 50% blockage in one of my major heart arteries. That sounds pretty bad to me, but the cardiologist said I didn?t need a stent. Why?

Older adults who walk at a pace of at least 3 mph may have a lower risk of heart disease than those with a 2 mph pace. Those who walk at least seven blocks a day also have a lower risk than those who walk five blocks per week.

A minimally invasive procedure to replace a stiff, failing aortic valve offers a shorter, easier recovery than surgical replacement. Known as TAVR, it’s currently approved only for people in whom surgery is too risky, but wider use is expected soon.

Sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages are the biggest contributors to a high-sugar diet, which may raise the risk of dying of heart disease. But sugar-free diet sodas aren’t necessarily a good substitute.

If you can’t remember to take the second dose of your blood pressure medication, ask your doctor about switching to a long-acting blood pressure drug that only needs to be taken once a day.

Interval training refers to alternating short, intense bouts of exercise with longer periods of lighter, less vigorous activity. The technique appears to improve cardiovascular fitness as effectively as moderate-intensity exercise but takes less time.

Drinking even one sugar-sweetened beverage a day is linked to a slightly greater risk of high blood pressure.

Women who have heart attacks before age 60 may be less likely to receive a lifesaving procedure to restore blood flow to the heart than men in that age group. Women were also more likely to die in the hospital compared with men.

About half of all heart attacks occur in people with “normal” cholesterol levels. Other conditions such as smoking, high blood pressure, or obesity could raise the risk of a heart attack.