Heart Health Archives

Coffee May Help Prevent Cognitive Decline in People with A-fib

Feb 25, 2025 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

A study of more than 2,400 people with atrial fibrillation (A-fib)—a condition in which the heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat chaotically and out of synch with the lower chambers (ventricles)—found that drinking up to five or more cups of caffeinated coffee per day was associated with better performance on a … Read More

How Might Personalizing Blood Tests Improve Diagnosis of Stroke and Other Diseases?

Feb 25, 2025 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

The routine test known as a complete blood count (CBC) measures the size and amount of your platelets and other types of blood cells. Those measurements are then compared to an established range of what is considered normal or healthy. Counts that fall outside of those ranges can help your … Read More

HYPERTENSION AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Feb 25, 2025 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

Q: Does hypertension lead to atherosclerosis or is it usually the other way around? A: High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, a thickening or stiffening of the arteries. Over time, hypertension can weaken artery walls, making them vulnerable to the buildup of plaque—the definition of … Read More

Heart Valve Disease Can Be Serious if Left Untreated

Feb 25, 2025 · Kate Brophy · Heart Health

Recent UK research suggests that more than one-quarter of older adults have undetected heart valve disease. The problem occurs when the valves that help blood flow through the heart in the right direction don’t work as they should. This malfunction may happen due to stenosis (narrowing of the valve opening) … Read More

Understanding C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Its Role in the Body

Feb 25, 2025 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body. It is a key component of the immune system, helping the body respond to injury or infection by activating other parts of the immune defense. CRP is classified as an “acute phase reactant,” … Read More

Is Cod Liver Oil a Healthy Addition to Your Diet?

Feb 25, 2025 · Denise Webb · Heart Health

As the name suggests, cod liver oil is the fat extracted from the livers of Atlantic cod and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA). Omega-3 supplements, on the other hand, are extracted from whole fish. Cod liver oil supplements, which are available over-the-counter, are also rich in … Read More

A Valentine to Your Heart

Jan 24, 2025 · Rochelle Nataloni · Heart Health

Hearts play a starring role in February, from Valentine’s Day to National Heart Month—an annual campaign that reminds people to prioritize the health of the organ that sustains life. This is a message women need to take to heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, and … Read More

Menopause Plays an Integral Role in Women’s Cardiovascular Risks

Jan 24, 2025 · Rochelle Nataloni · Heart Health

As more women live longer and spend a significant part of their lives in the postmenopausal stage, the focus on women’s heart health is gaining increasing attention. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women over 50, with nearly one in three women experiencing some form of cardiovascular … Read More

Healthy Women May Have Cells That Resemble Breast Cancer

Jan 24, 2025 · Rochelle Nataloni · Heart Health

A study published in the November 2024 issue of Nature found that in healthy women some breast cells that otherwise appear normal may contain chromosome abnormalities typically associated with invasive breast cancer. The researchers examined samples from 49 healthy women without known disease who were undergoing breast reduction surgery and … Read More

Study Reveals New Insights in Hormone Replacement Therapy Risks

Jan 24, 2025 · Rochelle Nataloni · Heart Health

Swedish researchers have conducted a study examining how seven types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) affect the risk of cardiovascular disease in women ages 50 to 58. Published in the November 2024 issue of the British Journal of Medicine, the study tracked nearly 1 million women from 2007 to 2020 … Read More

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