Heart Health Archives

Ask the Expert: Aspirin; Brain Tumors; Vascular Dementia

Jul 1, 2016 · UHN · Heart Health

Q. My doctor told me to take a daily low-dose aspirin to protect me from heart attack and stroke, but wouldn’t a higher dose offer more protection? A. Daily aspirin therapy is often recommended for adults at risk for a heart attack or stroke, and for those who’ve already suffered … Read More

Newsbriefs: Heart Attack; Beta Blockers; Fasting

Jul 1, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

High Intake of Whole Grains May Lower Risk of Heart Attack A 13.6-year Danish study comprising nearly 55,000 adults aged 40-64 showed that whole-grain intake is related to lower risk of heart attack, with rye and oat cereals especially beneficial. Lowest risks were seen in men and women in the … Read More

Aspirin Guidelines Narrowed: Change Recommended by USPSTF

Jul 1, 2016 · Diane Muhlfeld · Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death among U.S. adults. In 2011, the latest year for which there are statistics, more than one-half of all deaths were caused by heart disease, cancer, or stroke. Primary risk factors for CVD include older age, male sex, race/ethnicity, abnormal lipid levels, … Read More

Newsbriefs: Stroke Risk; Nutrition Labeling; Cancer Protection

Jun 29, 2016 · Dawn Bialy · Heart Health

Fruit May Lower Stroke Risk A large study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, April 7, 2016, reinforces the benefits of fruit intake. Compared with participants who never or rarely consumed fresh fruit, those who ate fresh fruit daily had lower blood pressure and glucose levels, as well … Read More

Manage Your Hypertension With a Home Blood Pressure Monitor

Jun 7, 2016 · Kate Brophy · Heart Health

About 70 million Americans have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seniors are particularly vulnerable—64 percent of men aged 65 and older have the condition, as do 78 percent of women in this age group. High blood pressure places you at greater risk for … Read More

Triglycerides: The “Other” Lipid That Affects Your Health

Jun 7, 2016 · Dawn Bialy · Heart Health

When it comes to determining health risks, cholesterol numbers are given a great deal of attention, but there’s another substance that’s often neglected: triglycerides. “Triglycerides are a form of lipids [fats] in the blood, as are the various types of cholesterol. After a meal, unneeded calories are stored as triglycerides and … Read More

Newsbriefs: Warfarin; Computer Use

Jun 7, 2016 · UHN · Heart Health

Warfarin and bleeding risk Almost three million Americans have atrial fibrillation (Afib: an abnormal heart rhythm that raises the risk for stroke). The standard treatment is the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin®), which reduces stroke risk by almost two-thirds. However, the drug can be tricky to manage—too little and the risk … Read More

Ask the Experts: Salt Sensitivity

May 20, 2016 · Kate Brophy · Heart Health

Q. Is it true that salt only increases the risk of high blood pressure if you are “salt sensitive?” A. Salt has been linked to high blood pressure—a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke—for decades. With that in mind, government experts recommend that Americans lower their salt intake to … Read More

DASH and You Could Boost Your Heart Health

May 20, 2016 · Kate Brophy · Heart Health

For the sixth year in a row, a panel of health experts has named the heart-healthy Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet the best overall eating plan, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2016 Best Diets ranking. The Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet (which merges the … Read More

Be Smart About Exercise If You Have (or Are at Risk of Having) Heart Failure

May 18, 2016 · UHN Staff · Heart Health

Any type of heart condition requires some precautions and common sense when you’re ready to exercise. This is especially true for people with heart failure, because the heart has been weakened and cannot meet the body’s higher demand for blood during physical activity. But exercising is as important for people with … Read More

Heart Health

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