In this discussion from an issue of the Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin, Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. answers readers' questions about metabolic syndrome. More...
The newest tool for preventing heart attacks is … a flu shot. Between 10% and 20% of people catch the flu each year, and a bad case can be deadly for individuals with coronary heart disease. Yet only one in three adults with cardiovascular disease gets an annual flu shot. … More...
Recent research shows that treating gum disease – or avoiding it altogether with regular brushing and flossing – may improve the health of the coronary arteries. The findings add to evidence that taking care of your teeth may be one of the many ways to take care of your heart. … More...
If you have a heart condition, it's important to keep your blood pressure under control to prevent a heart attack. Almost one in three adults has hypertension (high blood pressure), defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. … More...
Facing heart surgery? If you are, it is critically important to choose a hospital that has performed the surgery numerous times. But how do you know if your hospital is top-notch? Johns Hopkins provides practical advice.
Until recently, it has been easier to shop for a high-quality car than for high-quality healthcare. Fortunately, a number of organizations are making performance records of hospitals available to consumers. … More...
The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) has endorsed coronary calcium scans as a screening tool for coronary heart disease. A recent study shows that calcium scans can help predict survival.
While the AHA and ACC advise against these computed tomography (CT) scans in people at low or high risk for a heart attack, the associations concluded that the scans can be valuable for people without symptoms of coronary heart disease… More...
When it comes to matters of the heart, clinical terms require careful consideration so that you know which recommendations apply to you. Here's a list of common conditions that fall under the broad category of 'heart disease.'
Acute Coronary Syndrome: A term used to describe conditions, ranging from unstable angina to heart attack, that suddenly reduce blood flow to the heart. … More...
Which is healthier for your heart: a Mediterranean-style diet or a low-fat diet? A study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine looked into this question and the results may surprise you.
Lifestyle measures are essential to reduce your risk of a heart attack -- whether you are trying to prevent your first heart attack or have already had one and do not want to have another. The aim of lifestyle measures is to control the… More...
Though it may seem counterintuitive, foods labeled trans-fat free may contain a small amount, less than 0.5 gram, of trans fats -- which can add up, especially if you consume more than one serving.
Trans fats are probably the unhealthiest fats in the American diet. They not only raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or 'bad') cholesterol but also lower the 'good' high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In fact, trans fats are so harmful to your health that… More...
Your waistline may weigh more heavily in your risk of coronary heart disease, but exercise habits make a big difference as well, according to a recent study.
Research shows that regular physical activity helps prevent coronary heart disease. Regular exercise helps to control weight, lower blood pressure, and improve blood lipid levels. Yet, despite these beneficial effects, too many Americans are content with a sedentary lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, only about 30% of… More...
Though the evidence is not definitive, a lot of research suggests a possible link between stress and heart disease. Johns Hopkins cardiologists discuss this important topic.
We've all heard the remark: 'If that person doesn't slow down, he is going to have a heart attack.' So it's not surprising that along with the usual advice about blood pressure, cholesterol, exercise, and diet your doctor may advise you to manage or reduce the stress in your life.… More...
When it comes to the heart, men and women are more different than you might think. Here are insights on men, women, and cardiovascular health from the world of research. More...
Every year, thousands of Americans have an exercise stress test to find out how well their hearts can handle a workload. Should you be one of them? Johns Hopkins offers advice.
Most people who have an exercise stress test either have diagnosed coronary heart disease or symptoms that suggest heart disease, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. And if you are healthy, have no heart disease, symptoms, and have no risk factors for heart… More...
Each issue of the Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin features a Grand Rounds section in which Hopkins specialists answer readers' questions about heart health. Here's a sample.
Q. I know that homocysteine was in the news several years ago, when it was identified as a marker for heart disease risk. I haven't heard much about homocysteine since then. My wife says I should take folic acid, just to be sure that I keep my homocysteine levels low,… More...
In recent studies, mice were less likely to die early if they received large doses of resveratrol – a substance found in red wine. But does this data translate to humans? Read which Johns Hopkins advises …
You’re sure to have heard reports that some alcoholic beverages, including red wine, offer cardiovascular protection. Now red wine is in the spotlight again, thanks to research suggesting that red wine has age-defying benefits that can counter the effects… More...
Soy is another food component to consider in your efforts to prevent a heart attack. Even though research now shows that eating foods high in soy protein helps lower LDL cholesterol levels by a mere 3%, choosing soy-containing foods (such as soymilk and tofu) can still be beneficial for your heart. That’s because people who eat soy products tend to consume them instead of foods like meat and full-fat dairy products that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. More...
For many people, heart attacks begin gradually and involve little pain or discomfort. In fact, the heart attack symptoms might be so mild or subtle that you aren’t even sure what’s wrong. This uncertainty can lead to lengthy and dangerous delays in making that all-important 911 call. According to the American Heart Association, the following symptoms can indicate a heart attack:
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Contrary to typical portrayals in movies and on TV, heart attacks don’t always have a sudden, intense onset. A recent study finds that for women chronic chest pain may signal a future heart problem. Although no one likes to think about having a heart attack, would you know what to do if you were? Even if you know what to do, would you follow through? More important, would you act quickly?
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Researchers believe that chronic inflammation initiates and speeds along the process of atherosclerosis. How does inflammation damage your body and how can you detect it? Read on …
When you read or hear the word "inflammation,” what comes to mind? An infected cut or scrape? Swollen, congested sinuses? Painful, arthritic joints? What about coronary heart disease? It probably wasn’t on the list. Yet a large amount of research shows that inflammation plays a role -- possibly… More...
If your children and grandchildren think that being under age 50 protects them against coronary heart disease, you should tell them to think again. A study reported in the American Journal of Cardiology (Vol. 95, page 469) found that risk factors such as high blood pressure and cigarette smoking can have adverse effects on the arteries of people in their 20s, and the more risk factors present in… More...
Dr. M. Dominique Ashen from Johns Hopkins’ Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease shares 15 easy ways to increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Study after study reports that when your diet is high in fruits and vegetables -- which are the richest natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber -- you are doing the best you can to protect your heart and help prevent many diseases, including cancer. … More...
Does having angina put you at risk for a heart attack? What’s the difference between stable and unstable angina? Johns Hopkins cardiologist Ravi Ranjan answers patients’ questions. More...
A heart attack is a catastrophic event, and a typical reaction includes periods of denial or despair, along with a mixture of symptoms of despondency, anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. For the majority of heart attack patients, these symptoms last a few days to several weeks after diagnosis, but then adjustment ensues as they learn -- with the help of family, friends, and doctors -- to cope with the recovery process. More...
Do Take Control and Benecol have a place in your diet? Johns Hopkins cardiologist Christopher Sibley, M.D. looks at the data.
Can reducing your cholesterol be as easy and painless as spreading a pat or two of heart-healthy margarine on your toast or veggies every day? Well, there is fairly convincing evidence that food spreads containing plant additives called sterols or stanols, substances that inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, can indeed lower your… More...
Should You Be Taking a Polypill?
Taking a combination of medications for your heart may be more beneficial than taking a single drug, according to a study in the British Medical Journal. The researchers followed 13,029 men and women diagnosed with coronary heart disease between 1996 and 2003, to look at how the medications they were taking affected their lifespan. They found that individuals who took a combination of aspirin, a statin, and a beta blocker had an 83% lower risk of dying, compared to those not taking any medications. That compared with a 47% reduced risk in those taking a statin alone, 41% with aspirin alone, and 19% with a beta-blocker alone.
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Johns Hopkins cardiologist Ty J. Gluckman, M.D., talks about a leading concern of heart attack patients.
It’s normal to be concerned about your safety following a heart attack, but unwarranted obsessions will interfere with lovemaking and rob the experience of its joy. Have you ever wondered:
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When it comes to statin drugs, Crestor is just one choice.
For some people, lifestyle changes are all that are needed to control risk factors for coronary heart disease. However, when these measures fail to produce the desired results, medications can be added. Not only can drugs control blood lipids, but they can also help lower blood pressure as well as decrease the risk of blood clots and bouts of angina. Remember that continuing your lifestyle changes will help make these drugs more effective and may allow you to take a lower dose of medication, reducing your likelihood of experiencing side effects.
More...
You probably know your total and LDL cholesterol, and perhaps even your HDL level. But do you know your triglyceride level?
Triglycerides don’t get nearly as much attention as cholesterol, but evidence is accumulating that your triglycerides may be almost as important as your cholesterol levels when it comes to the health of your heart, particularly if you have other risk factors for coronary heart disease (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or a family history of coronary heart disease).
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Your chest pain may be a symptom of stable angina – or something more serious. Johns Hopkins doctors explain the important difference.
Chest pains can be frightening, no matter what causes them. But if stable angina is the cause, you can take steps to prevent the chest pain or relieve the pain if it occurs. Angina is a warning sign that your heart needs more oxygen. In technical terms, the symptoms of angina are the result of myocardial ischemia (a shortage of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle due to the partial blockage of a coronary artery by the buildup of plaque). More...
When people need to reduce cholesterol, they often think about eliminating some foods from their diet. But research increasingly shows that adding certain foods can also reduce cholesterol levels significantly. In fact, a study in Metabolism found that people with high cholesterol who ate a diet not only low in saturated fat but high in plant sterols, soluble fibers,… More...
Dr. Roger Blumenthal and his cardiovascular team at Johns Hopkins offer guidelines to help you maintain a healthy heart.
You can modify or treat most of the risk factors associated with a heart attack or stroke. Here is an easy-to-remember checklist of primary prevention measures for people without symptoms of (a history of) coronary heart disease (CHD). Heart Attack Prevention Tip #1: Take low-dose aspirin.… More...
Are your prescriptions medications causing sexual problems? Dr. Roger S. Blumenthal, medical editor of The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin, offers advice. More...
Roger S. Blumenthal, M.D., medical editor of The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin, explains the important difference between a panic attack and a heart attack.
I had the shock of my life last week when I found my 58-year-old husband slumped over in his chair shortly after dinner. He had chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and he was sweating through his shirt. I called 911 and went with him to the hospital. The good news is that everything checked out OK. More...
Johns Hopkins Heart Health Alerts reports that the American Heart Association estimates that atrial fibrillation is responsible for 15% to 20% of the 700,000 strokes that occur each year in the United States. More...
Controlled studies show that clot-dissolving therapy after a heart attack can restore blood flow through the blocked artery, reduce the amount of damage to the heart muscle, and improve survival after a heart attack in many patients. More...
In people who have chest pain or are at risk for coronary heart disease, an exercise stress test can be used to detect the presence of heart disease.
A standard exercise stress test uses an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record the electrical impulses from the heart during exercise. The electrical signal often changes when the heart is not receiving enough blood and oxygen during physical activity. More...
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