heart-letter
I had chest pains for a couple of days and thought I was having a heart attack. My doctor did an electrocardiogram and said I had pericarditis and that it was not serious. What exactly is pericarditis?
Whole-grain foods offer nutritional benefits beyond just the fiber from the outer layer. The nutrients and compounds from all parts of the grain offer a wide range of cardiovascular benefits and have been linked to longer life.
Yoga combines gentle physical movements, breathing, and meditation, all of which may lower heart disease risk. People who do yoga may reap benefits such as weight loss, lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure.
A simple, inexpensive ultrasound of the arteries in the neck and upper leg may be a better way to screen people for possible cardiovascular disease than the current risk-based estimate used to guide treatment, though more research is needed.
I just discovered that I have a hole in my heart that my doctor called a patent foramen ovale, which was found during an ultrasound. What are the pros and cons of having it repaired?
Calcium is important for bone health, so doctors often recommend calcium supplements for people with osteoporosis.
Drinking a cup of beet juice daily may lower blood pressure. The ruby-red roots are rich in nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide-a compound that relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
Coffee is a nearly calorie-free beverage brimming with antioxidants. It might ease artery-damaging inflammation and deliver substances that support heart health.
Most doctors don’t offer counseling about resuming sexual activity after a heart attack, especially to people who are older or female.
Consuming bisphenol A (BPA)-a chemical found in some plastic bottles, food containers, and can liners-may raise blood pressure.