Category: heart-letter

High blood pressure wreaks havoc in the circulatory system. It is a key contributor to heart attack and stroke.

Hormone therapy after menopause does not shield women from heart disease and may slightly increase their risk of a stroke. Women who take hormones to treat menopause symptoms should use the lowest possible dose for a short time only.

When young, healthy adults listened to classical or rock music, their arteries became more relaxed-a change that might benefit the cardiovascular system.

More than half of the average person’s waking hours are spent sitting. But all that sedentary behavior may put people at a higher risk for heart disease, as well as shortening their lives-even if they exercise up to one hour a day.

Shortness of breath is a common problem people bring to their doctors. Many times, the underlying disease is easy to diagnose and treat.

Medications to aid weight loss may be helpful for people with obesity, a condition that puts a heavy burden on the heart. The approval of four new weight-loss drugs in the past two years has expanded the options for treating obesity.

I had a mild heart attack a few years ago but am now feeling fine. I?m planning a trip to Colorado. Is it safe for me to hike at high elevations?

Eczema, an itchy, scaly skin disease, may make people more prone to heart disease and stroke.

Because I?m a former smoker and was having leg pains, my doctor recommended that I have an ankle-brachial index test. He said my score was on the low side. What does that mean?

When the heart temporarily gets less blood than it needs, it’s known as cardiac ischemia. Often the result of clogged heart arteries, ischemia can cause chest pain (angina).