Heart Health Archives

Newsbriefs: AFib; BMI; Colonoscopy

Dec 8, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

Atrial fibrillation doubles silent stroke risk. A review of 11 studies that reported on the link between atrial fibrillation (AF) and silent cerebral infarction (SCI) found that AF is associated with more than twice the risk of SCI. Patients with AF have up to five times greater risk for stroke … Read More

Newsbriefs: Stenting; Heart Disease; Asthma; Stroke Risk

Dec 8, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

Dual antiplatelet therapy after stenting: longer is better. After stenting, patients are routinely prescribed two drugs—aspirin and either clopidogrel or prasugrel—for six to 12 months to prevent a blood clot from forming inside the stent and to reduce the risk of heart attack. Now a study published in the Nov. … Read More

Statin Alternative May Reduce Heart Attack Risk

Dec 8, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

A study presented at the 2014 annual meeting of the American Heart Association revealed several key findings that will impact millions of people worldwide. In a nutshell, the lower your low-density lipoprotein levels (LDL—“bad”—cholesterol), the greater your protection against heart attack. Moreover, LDL levels below 70 mg/dL appear to be … Read More

Lowering Blood Pressure Beyond 150 mmHg in Older Adults Questioned

Dec 7, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

A review of blood pressure medication trials concluded that “mild” systolic blood pressure—defined as 150 mmHg—is sufficient for adults aged 65 and over, and that using medications to lower blood pressure further may increase the risk of side effects without adding benefit. High blood pressure affects an estimated 70 percent … Read More

Newsbriefs: Heart Disease; Anticoagulants; Statins

Dec 6, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

Heart Disease Remains A #1 Health Threat. The mortality rate from heart disease has fallen 40 percent since 2001. Nevertheless, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, said the American Heart Association in its latest update, published December 17, 2014 in its journal Circulation. Every … Read More

Over Time, Slightly Elevated LDL Cholesterol Increases Heart Risk

Dec 6, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

It is well known that the longer you smoke cigarettes, the greater your risk of heart disease. Now it appears that ongoing, higher-than-normal cholesterol levels have the same effect. A study conducted at Duke Clinical Research Institute found that 55-year-old adults with moderately elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol for 11 … Read More

Newsbriefs: Painkillers After Heart Attack; Jogging; Fiber; Stent Placement

Dec 5, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

Beware of Painkillers After a Heart Attack. Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) after a heart attack can increase the risk of death, recurrent heart attack, stroke and bleeding in patients taking antithrombotic therapy. According to a study in the February 24, 2015, Journal of the American Medical Association, any … Read More

High-Risk Coronary Artery Disease More Complex than Once Thought

Dec 5, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

Factors that increase the risk of heart attack are well known, and include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and lack of exercise. Modifying these risk factors may reduce the risk of heart attack, yet may not stop it from happening. Worse, doctors can’t predict if—or when—a … Read More

Q & A: Blood Pressure; Osteoarthritis; Dietary Information; Brain Damage from Alcoholism

Dec 5, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

Q. My diastolic blood pressure is usually in the 80s, but my systolic pressure is in the 150s to 160s. Should I be treated for high blood pressure? I’m 71 years old. A. Systolic blood pressure matters more than diastolic pressure, but both your numbers— the systolic (upper number) and … Read More

Newsbriefs: AFib; Catherization; Heart Attack Diagnosis

Dec 5, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

Weight Loss May Resolve AFib. Stroke is not the only cause of atrial fibrillation (AF): Obesity also is an important risk factor. A study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 2015 Scientific Sessions in March revealed that losing weight can have a beneficial effect on AF. The researchers referred … Read More

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