Harvard Heart Letter: November 2009

Brief reports on a potential alternative to warfarin, the added harm of cholesterol in fried foods, reducing stroke risk, and comparing higher doses of a statin with a combination drug.

One morning last week I woke up hearing my heartbeat in my left ear. I hear it most clearly when I am in bed or sitting quietly. My health is good, and I was told after a recent cardiac workup that my heart was "perfect." Should I be worried?  

Monitoring your blood pressure by taking daily readings at home over a period of time can provide a more accurate sense of your true pressure than a reading in the doctor's office, which may be artificially high or low.

The American Heart Association recommends that people with type 2 diabetes should undertake an exercise program combining aerobic exercise with strength training. This strategy is best for protecting the heart and improving muscles' response to insulin.

People taking the "triple therapy" combination of aspirin, Plavix, and warfarin are at increased risk of bleeding. A panel of experts has recommended a set of guidelines intended to make taking this drug combination safe and effective.

  Researchers are exploring how the use of music therapy may aid in the treatment and recovery of cardiovascular patients.   Read More »

The Heart Rhythm Society has published guidelines for the procedure to remove broken, damaged, or worn out pacemaker or ICD leads.

People with heart failure are more likely to have a B vitamin deficiency, possibly due to decreased appetite, faster metabolism, and medications that may remove certain nutrients from the body.

A Dutch study that recommends starting to take a statin medication prior to having vascular surgery supports existing advice from the American Heart Association.

A pair of studies adds to the evidence that a Mediterranean-style diet not only benefits the heart, but can also help counter age-related decline in brain function.

Eating before having a blood pressure test can artificially lower the reading by a few points.