Even a little exercise linked with lower stroke risk in people with afib
Testosterone therapy without evidence of deficiency may boost heart risk
Weight-loss drug may lower risk of heart attacks and infections
What to eat on the DASH diet
Migraine: How it's diagnosed and what that means
Tricep workouts you can do at home
Mindfulness practices to reduce stress and improve focus
Antihistamines may not offer meaningful relief from eczema symptoms
Overweight and taking blood pressure medications: Study finds it's a trend that's working
FDA approves first mRNA-based flu vaccine
Heart Disease Archive
Articles
Pill-free ways to lower high blood pressure
Reduce your dependence on medications with these strategies.
More than a third of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure—a systolic pressure (the top number in a reading) of at least 140 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), or a diastolic pressure (the bottom number) of at least 90 mm Hg, or both. The condition injures blood vessel walls and forces the heart to work harder, increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke.
Taking medication to treat high blood pressure is just part of the solution.
HDL cholesterol: How much is enough?
Research suggests that raising good cholesterol beyond a certain point doesn't offer any extra benefit for the heart.
Image: designer491/Thinkstock
When it comes to cholesterol, it's mostly about the numbers. You want less of the "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and more of the "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) kind. This combination is often associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Sounds simple—and it is, for the most part. But while most attention is spent on driving down bad LDL, you still have to keep your eyes on the good HDL, as some research suggests that after a certain threshold, higher levels don't offer extra protection.
The role of cholesterol
Balancing act
One reason higher HDL may not always be effective is that it needs help to do its job. Another study found that HDL's protective role depends in part on the levels of both LDL and triglycerides (another type of blood fat that helps make up your total cholesterol).
The research, published online May 10, 2016, by Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, analyzed data over 25 years on about 3,500 people. Researchers looked at people with both low and high HDL levels and those with normal and high levels of LDL and triglycerides.
They found that for optimal protection against cardiovascular disease, there needs to be a balance among all three. Higher HDL (40 mg/dL or higher) helped to reduce cardiovascular disease only when LDL and triglycerides were low (100 mg/dL or less). When LDL and triglycerides rose above 100 mg/dL or 150 mg/DL, respectively, higher HDL had no effect.
The ideal numbers
Beware of low diastolic readings when treated for high blood pressure
New research has linked heart tissue damage to blood pressure treatments that drive diastolic pressure (the bottom number in a reading) too low.
Men: talk with your doctor about resuming sex after a heart attack
A majority of men do not talk about resuming their sex life after a heart attack, which may lead to sexual problems like lack of interest and erectile difficulties. Researchers say that before being discharged from the hospital, men should expect to have a conversation with their physician about when it’s okay to resume all regular activities, including sex. If the topic does not come up, men should take the initiative.
FDA approves a one-two punch for some strokes
The FDA has approved use of a clot-retrieving device along with a clot-busting drug on stroke patients, as long it’s within six hours of the onset of stroke symptoms.
Reminder: Don't skip blood pressure medication
Millions of older adults aren’t taking their blood pressure drugs as directed. Ways to combat adherence problems include asking a doctor for less expensive drugs, understanding what a medication is for, and reporting side effects.
Keep tabs on your drinking
When it comes to alcohol, moderation is still the mantra. But even one drink a day may pose a risk to the heart.
Wine, champagne, and cocktails are standard fare at many holiday gatherings. But before you raise your glass, make sure you're aware of just how much alcohol you're actually consuming—and how it may affect your heart.
As part of a standard health history, most physicians will ask about your drinking habits. In general, moderate drinking—defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men—is considered safe. But there are some caveats.
Ask the doctor: Reversing atherosclerosis?
Some people may be able to reverse the buildup of plaque inside their heart’s arteries by taking high-dose cholesterol-lowering drugs or by following a strict, plant-based diet combined with exercise and stress reduction.
Even a little exercise linked with lower stroke risk in people with afib
Testosterone therapy without evidence of deficiency may boost heart risk
Weight-loss drug may lower risk of heart attacks and infections
What to eat on the DASH diet
Migraine: How it's diagnosed and what that means
Tricep workouts you can do at home
Mindfulness practices to reduce stress and improve focus
Antihistamines may not offer meaningful relief from eczema symptoms
Overweight and taking blood pressure medications: Study finds it's a trend that's working
FDA approves first mRNA-based flu vaccine
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