Blood Pressure Archive

Heart Health

Fruit of the month: Citrus fruits

Published December 1, 2021

Citrus fruits such as oranges and tangerines contain heart-healthy nutrients such as fiber and flavonoids. But grapefruit also contains compounds that may increase the blood level of certain statins.

Heart Health

Switching to a salt substitute may reduce stroke risk

Published December 1, 2021

Swapping regular table salt (sodium chloride) with a salt substitute containing some potassium chloride may lower the risk of strokes and related heart problems.

Heart Health

Constipation: A connection to cardiovascular disease?

Published December 1, 2021

People with chronic constipation may be more prone to heart disease, but the connection remains unclear. Straining and bearing down to have a bowel movement can temporarily boost blood pressure, putting the cardiovascular system at risk. And a possible link between constipation and blood clots may be worth further study. In rare cases, clots form in the veins that serve the gastrointestinal organs, including the large intestine (colon). Known as splanchnic venous thrombosis, the problem seems to be far more common in people with constipation than in those without.

Heart Health

What is palliative care for heart failure?

Published December 1, 2021

Palliative care, which focuses on comfort and quality of life, is gradually becoming more widely used in people with advanced heart failure. The approach includes discussions about advance care planning and is often confused with hospice care. But palliative care can begin at any stage of a serious illness. For heart failure, it may include tiny doses of morphine to ease breathing and help people feel less distressed. Increasing doses of diuretics, which help flush fluid from the body, are often prescribed as well.

Healthy aging and longevity

What to do when your blood pressure won’t go down

Published December 1, 2021

Doctors recommend several strategies to lower resistant hypertension. One strategy is discontinuing medications that may be contributing to high blood pressure, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), decongestants, certain antidepressants, and corticosteroids. Another strategy is treating underlying conditions that can boost blood pressure, such as sleep apnea. Other ways to lower stubbornly high blood pressure include getting lots of aerobic exercise, eating a plant-based diet that’s low in salt, getting at least seven hours of sleep per night, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Diet and nutrition

Anti-inflammatory food superstars for every season

Published November 30, 2021

Inflammation is part of the body's healing process, but chronic inflammation can contribute to a range of health issues. In every season, regularly eating a variety of anti-inflammatory foods can benefit your health.

Diet and nutrition

Walnuts: A worthy addition to your daily diet?

Updated November 19, 2021

Research has found that people who eat nuts regularly are less likely to have heart disease. While all varieties of nuts are full of important nutrients, a two-year randomized trial shows a daily dose of walnuts lowered levels of harmful blood lipids that affect cardiovascular health -- and without adding extra pounds.

Heart Health

Ask the doctor: Is it possible to reverse coronary artery disease?

Updated November 16, 2021

I have coronary artery disease. Is this something I can have cured or get rid of, or is keeping it from getting worse the best I can do?

Heart Health

Different types of tachycardia

Published November 1, 2021

A rapid heartbeat may be due to supraventricular tachycardia or ventricular tachycardia. The former is usually harmless, while the latter is more serious and more likely to occur in older people with heart disease.

Healthy aging and longevity

Breathing your way to better health

Published November 1, 2021

Taking time out of a stressful day to perform simple breathing exercises can reduce chronic stress and prevent the harm it can inflict on the body. Even a few short breathing sessions can make a big difference for many people. Chronic stress, when it goes unchecked, can lead to a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety, depression, and reduced immune response.

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Blood Pressure Archive

Articles

Fruit of the month: Citrus fruits

Switching to a salt substitute may reduce stroke risk

Constipation: A connection to cardiovascular disease?

What is palliative care for heart failure?

What to do when your blood pressure won’t go down

Anti-inflammatory food superstars for every season

Walnuts: A worthy addition to your daily diet?

Ask the doctor: Is it possible to reverse coronary artery disease?

Different types of tachycardia

Breathing your way to better health

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