heart-letter
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.
New innovative devices and procedures are on the horizon for diagnosing and treating heart conditions.
The FDA has approved idarucizumab (Praxbind), a drug that quickly reverses the effects of the anti-clotting medication dabigatran (Pradaxa).
Many Americans don’t know the symptoms of a blood clot in a leg or arm (known as deep-vein thrombosis), which include pain, swelling, and redness. A blood clot in the lungs (called a pulmonary embolism) is twice as likely to be fatal as a heart attack.
An online “heart age” calculator can help people understand their risk of heart attack and stroke. The estimate is based on a person’s blood pressure reading, smoking history, body mass index, and whether they have diabetes
The Nordic diet includes many heart-healthy foods such as whole grains, berries, and fatty fish. Limited evidence suggests this eating pattern may foster weight loss and lower blood pressure.
About two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes die from heart disease. But updated screening and prevention guidelines, along with a novel diabetes drug with proven heart benefits, may improve that statistic.
Mobile health technologies, including smartphone apps and text message reminders, show some promise for helping people make heart-healthy behavior changes. There is not enough research to show a benefit for wearable sensors that track physical activity.
I live near a busy highway. Are there any heart risks from air pollution?
Eating more fruits-especially berries, apples, and pears-may help people lose weight over the long term. Soybeans and cauliflower also appear to aid weight loss. But consuming corn, peas, and potatoes may be linked to weight gain.