Heart Health Archives

Memory Maxmizers: Carotid Arteries & Memory; Statin Therapy & Dementia

Sep 7, 2016 · Susan Jimison Vitek · Heart Health

Clogged Carotid Arteries Tied to Impaired Memory To keep your mind clear as you grow older, keep your carotid arteries clear of the fatty plaque that can interfere with blood flow. That’s the message of a new study that found a strong association between asymptomatic carotid stenosis—blockage of the major … Read More

Hospitalizations for Irregular Heartbeat on the Increase

Sep 7, 2016 · Susan Jimison Vitek · Heart Health

A worrisome surge in hospitalizations for a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation (Afib) has serious implications for brain health, especially among older Americans. Afib is associated with increased risk for blood clots, which can travel from the heart to the brain and trigger a stroke. Individuals with Afib—about one-third … Read More

Ask the Doctor: Best Diets for Heart Health

Sep 1, 2016 · UHN · Heart Health

Q: There are so many diets out there. Which do you recommend for heart health? A: It can be confusing with so many products and different diets touting heart-healthy benefits. For many years now, an expert panel has recommended the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) as the best overall … Read More

Who Cares for Your Heart?

Sep 1, 2016 · JoAnn Milivojevic · Heart Health

Primary care physicians can help you with basic heart-health needs such as managing high blood pressure medications, providing recommendations about heart- smart foods and suggesting appropriate exercise options. But when your heart requires more attention than your primary care physician can provide, you may be referred to a heart specialist. … Read More

Strengthen Your Heart with Exercise

Sep 1, 2016 · Dawn Bialy · Heart Health

“Aerobic exercise is the most beneficial for the cardiovascular system and will result in a stronger, healthier heart. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, or five 30-minute sessions,” says Pamela Geisel, MS, CSCS, a performance specialist at the Tisch Sports Performance Center … Read More

Newsbriefs: Flu Shots; Colorectal Cancer Screening

Aug 30, 2016 · Kate Brophy · Heart Health

Flu Shots Vital for Heart Failure Patients Getting immunized against influenza may reduce heart failure patients’ risk of hospitalization, according to data presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s Heart Failure 2016, in May. The study found that heart failure patients who had been vaccinated against the flu had a … Read More

Newsbriefs: Managing Medications; Heartburn Medications

Aug 30, 2016 · Kate Brophy · Heart Health

How Well Are You Managing Your Meds? Many older adults take several daily medications to manage chronic health conditions, and previous research suggests that some find it hard to keep track of their meds. Researchers writing in the June issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society examined the characteristics of … Read More

Women More Likely to Suffer Stroke Due to Atrial Fibrillation—But Undertreatment Persists

Aug 30, 2016 · Kate Brophy · Heart Health

Women who suffer from the abnormal heart rhythm atrial fibrillation (AFib) are significantly more likely than men with the condition to be hospitalized for stroke, according to a new study. Other new research suggests that women with AFib are less likely than men to receive oral anticoagulant therapy. Could this … Read More

New Oral Anticoagulants Vs. Warfarin for Afib

Aug 29, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

In recent years, novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) drugs have been introduced as alternatives to warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation (AFib) treatment, to prevent stroke. The four currently available NOACs are dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), and edoxaban (Lixiana). In clinical trial studies, these drugs were found to be at … Read More

Eggs: An Excellent Source of Important Nutrients

Aug 23, 2016 · Dawn Bialy · Heart Health

At some point, you’ve probably heard that you shouldn’t eat eggs if you have high cholesterol or heart disease. However, in recent years, researchers have learned much about dietary cholesterol, as well as the many nutritional benefits of eggs. “Eggs offer a variety of nutrients, notably protein,” says clinical dietitian … Read More

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