Finding a yoga teacher

Older people, or those with a chronic condition like heart disease or osteoporosis, need yoga teachers who understand their needs. (Locked) More »

Grapefruit, drug interactions

The potency of some cardiovascular and other drugs is affected by grapefruit, pomelo, and other juices. Some of the most common drugs affected by grapefruit are listed below.  (Locked) More »

November 2010 references and further reading

Wang L, Manson JE, Song Y, Sesso HD. Systematic review: Vitamin D and calcium supplementation in prevention of cardiovascular events. Annals of Internal Medicine 2010; 152:315-23. Bolland MJ, Avenell A, Baron JA, et al. Effect of calcium supplements on risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events: meta-analysis. BMJ 2010; 341:c3691. Schane RE, Ling PM, Glantz SA. Health effects of light and intermittent smoking: a review. Circulation 2010; 121:1518-22. (Locked) More »

Reporting drug, device problems to the FDA

If you have had a problem taking a medication, or a medical device has caused you harm, tell the FDA about it. The more information the FDA has about so-called adverse reactions the better. This information can be used to make new drugs and devices safer, and to caution other folks about using certain drugs or devices. (Locked) More »

Calcium supplements and heart attack

Your body needs calcium to build bones, contract muscles, send nerve signals, help enzymes and genes do their jobs, and much more — including making your heart beat. Some time in middle age, calcium seems to start moving from bones to the cardiovascular system, where it stiffens arteries and heart valves. A report linking calcium supplements to an increased risk of heart attack now has researchers eyeing too much calcium as a possible contributor to heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. (Locked) More »

Light and social smoking carry cardiovascular risks

Almost 25% of smokers smoke only a few cigarettes per day, or smoke only once in a while, but they are still exposing themselves to the same health risks as heavier smokers. Dr. Rebecca Schane and her colleagues at the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, reviewed nearly four dozen studies of light and intermittent smoking, along with data in the U.S. Surgeon General's report, The Health Consequences of Smoking. They compiled this list of health hazards associated with light and intermittent smoking: More »

Resveratrol for a longer life - if you're a yeast

Many claims have been made about the ability of resveratrol to prevent heart disease and other illnesses, but the little research in humans has not tested for long-term health, and there are many unanswered questions about side effects. (Locked) More »

Yoga could be good for heart disease

Yoga's combination of gentle exercise, stretching, focus on deep breathing, and the resulting greater mindfulness may be of particular benefit to people living with cardiovascular disease. More »

Ask the doctor: Do I need an MRI scan of my heart?

I am an 84-year-old man with atrial fibrillation, mild heart failure, and high blood pressure. My doctor had me wear a Holter monitor and get a SPECT scan. Now he wants me to have a cardiac MRI. What info would this test give that he doesn't already have? (Locked) More »