Harvard Heart Letter: September 2009

Abdominal fat cells are responsible for many cardiovascular problems.

Stress, anxiety, and negative emotions can bring on or worsen heart disease, and cardiovascular problems can contribute to dementia. Read More »

Psoriasis, which is not a skin disease but an immune disorder, may be linked to heart disease, possibly through inflammation.

Low levels of testosterone have been linked to many health problems in men.

Hormones produced by the ovaries are beneficial, but taking a hormone medication increases certain health risks.

Taking measures to protect the heart, such as exercising and eating a healthy diet, can also help prevent osteoporosis.

A number of odd connections exist between body parts and the cardiovascular system.

After my heart attack, my doctor told me that damaged heart muscle cannot be replaced. If this is true, why am I walking on a treadmill five days a week? Is this helping repair the damage or strengthen what's left?

Are there any noninvasive, radiation-free tests that can give the same information about possible blockages in my coronary arteries as a nuclear stress test? I've had so many CT scans for other conditions that I'd prefer to go non-nuclear for a while.

Frequent use of pain relievers can irritate the stomach, digestive tract, or possibly the heart and blood vessels. For people with heart disease, a study suggests that regular use of naproxen will not harm the heart.

A cardiac rehabilitation program can help people with heart disease regain strength and stamina. An exercise program that emphasizes frequent walking over a more intense workout can result in greater loss of weight and body fat.

Sleep apnea can damage the heart or cause rhythm problems. Treating the apnea may stop or reverse this damage.

People who receive a clot-destroying drug after a heart attack may also benefit from a subsequent angioplasty.

Anxiety and depression greatly increase the probability of developing angina.

Brief reports on the use of compression stockings by stroke survivors, and the benefit of adding a second blood pressure medication.

This special section highlights the relationships between the heart and many other parts of the body.