heart-letter
Only 20% of people take their medications as prescribed. Cost and access are big parts of the problem, but people who understand their disease risks and make peace with their need for medication are more likely to take them as prescribed.
Leg pain with walking can indicate peripheral artery disease. A walking regimen and medication are usually the first steps in treating the condition.
Although dental disease and heart disease share many of the same risk factors, the American Heart Association says there’s no convincing evidence that dental disease causes heart disease. People with valve disorders need special dental care.
Blocking a molecule that inhibits an important heart gene helps prevent heart cells from dying after a heart attack.
When a family member develops a type of heart disease with a known genetic cause, all close family members should consider genetic testing.
Adopting a heart-healthy diet doesn’t necessarily mean drastic lifestyle change. Small dietary tweaks may suffice. Pick tasty substitutes for saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, and calories while increasing fiber and nutrient intake.
Regularly eating breakfast is associated with a 27% lower risk of heart attack or death from heart disease than skipping the first meal of the day.
Thickening of the heart-hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-is a genetic disease. People with a first-degree relative who has the disease have a 50-50 chance of having it, too. Family genetic testing is indicated, as early detection can prevent sudden death.
Belly fat-fat accumulation around the internal organs, including the heart and arteries-increases risk of heart disease and cancer. Evidence suggests that this kind of fat emits disease-promoting chemical messengers.
Problems with warfarin (Coumadin) are often due to human error. Ask your doctor to verify the strength before calling in your prescription. Make sure the refill is the correct dose.