Category: heart-letter

Believing outdated ideas about heart disease and its risk factors can be dangerous. Myth busting can help you plan the best path to a healthy heart.

Before going on vacation, people with heart disease should make sure it’s safe to fly and pack pertinent medical information and more than enough medications. Buying air ambulance or repatriation insurance before leaving home may also be wise.

Atrial fibrillation, a common heart -rhythm disorder, may increase the risk of memory loss, a decline in thinking skills, or dementia.

Drinking two cups of coffee a day may protect against heart failure, likely by lowering the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.

A leaky mitral valve causes the heart to pump twice as much causing it to enlarge and weaken. When the heart’s pumping chamber starts to enlarge, it’s time to repair or replace the valve.

A new app can be customized with personal data to show heart risk and what you can do about it.

Examination of 11 antidepressants found that three (citalopram, amitriptyline, and escitalopram) may increase the risk of a potentially dangerous heart rhythm disturbance. No one with a history of arrhythmias should take these medications.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that may also be fast. Medications can be used to control the heart rate, regulate the rhythm, stop uncomfortable symptoms, and prevent a blood clot that may cause a stroke.

It isn’t necessary to provide mouth-to-mouth breathing when doing CPR for someone who suddenly collapses. Chest compression alone may be better.

Type 2 diabetes damages blood vessels. People with “prediabetes” can lower the risk of progressing to diabetes by exercising 30 minutes a day, losing 5% of their weight, and changing the way they eat.