Harvard Heart Letter: February 2008

I'm a 75-year-old woman. The top number of my blood pressure is between 135 and 140, the bottom number around 75. My doctor says this is fine. Should I believe him?

Dark chocolate is supposed to be good for the heart. But how do I know which chocolate is "dark"? Some labels list percent dark chocolate, others percent cocoa solids. Can you help me pick the best one?

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), while seemingly insignificant, often lead to strokes within a short time span. If you experience a TIA or have symptoms that suggest one, take it seriously and seek treatment right away.

For people who need medication to lower blood pressure, there are two types of drugs available. ACE inhibitors have been available longer than ARBs. They are comparably effective, though several ACE inhibitors are available in generic form.

Those with a narrowed carotid artery have a choice between two procedures to clear the blockage: endarterectomy or angioplasty. Although it is less invasive, the risk of stroke is higher following angioplasty, making it the riskier choice for most people.

Triglycerides contribute to atherosclerosis, usually (but not always) in combination with other factors. Triglycerides can be lowered by making lifestyle and diet changes, though some people also need a medication.

Several supplements marketed to men claiming to enhance sexual function were found to contain substances similar to erectile dysfunction drugs, which can be dangerous for men who take certain medications for heart disease.

A pedometer is an inexpensive tool that can help promote fitness by measuring a person's steps. Being aware of how much one is walking acts as a motivator to walk more.

The American Diabetes Association has set a standard for measuring blood sugar that expresses the information in two different forms, corresponding to the way the reading is given in medical tests and also in home testting.

Brief updates on tingling stents, Alzheimer's disease and blood pressure, exercise as medicine, and vascular disease in women.

Every now and then I get a sudden, sharp pain on the left side of my chest, like a knife. I get a little dizzy, and then it disappears as quickly as it came on. Even though the test results were fine, it still scares me. Should I be concerned about this?

Almost three years ago I had triple bypass surgery and mitral valve replacement. I did so having only one lung. It feels like the operation somehow harmed my lung, making it harder to breathe. Can heart surgery do this?