Harvard Heart Letter: October 2008

Starting treatment quickly provides the best chance of surviving a heart attack. If you think you are having a heart attack, you should call 911 rather than have someone take you to the hospital, because paramedics can start treatment on the way there.

Women who drink too much alcohol risk cardiovascular problems and an increased chance of breast cancer, but in moderation (no more than one drink per day) alcohol is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

The ankle-brachial index is a comparative blood pressure test, taken at the arms and ankles, that is done to check for the presence of peripheral artery disease.

A minimally invasive version of heart surgery to replace or repair a mitral or aortic valve has shown excellent results and has a shorter recovery time on average, making it an option that older people should consider.

Coffee lovers should be reassured by a study showing that death rates among coffee drinkers were no higher than for people who did not drink coffee.

People with a pacemaker or ICD know they need to avoid MRIs. The FDA says that the CT scans may also interfere with these devices, but that they can be safely shut off for the duration of the scan.

Potassium helps fight high blood pressure, but most Americans do not get enough potassium from their diet. Eating more fruits, vegetables, beans, and certain other foods boosts potassium levels.

Brief updates on the heart benefits of obesity surgery, a heart medication's effect on bone health, and taking statins prior to heart surgery.

My sense of taste isn't as good as it was a few months ago. I started taking Capoten on top of the diuretic I have been taking for some time to control my blood pressure. Could the new drug be affecting my sense of taste? If it is, what can I do about it?

What happens when a stent gets clogged up? Someone told me that a new one gets put over the plugged-up one, but that doesn't sound right.

I had a mechanical valve put in to replace a stiff aortic valve. But it hasn't made a big difference in how I feel. I still get short of breath when I try to walk fast. Could it be the wrong size, or not working properly?