Cardiology Medical Library Stories & Articles

A simple natural compound found in grape juice and red wine seems to have the potential to work on the common root of a variety of age-related illnesses and virtually cure them. And that compound, resveratrol, may become one in a new class of... ( Read more about "Silver Bullet" for Age-Related Diseases?)

Such a simple - and vitally important - item as a blood pressure reading can be considerably inaccurate unless six simple factors are taken into account. Getting an accurate reading is important because a false high reading can cause unnecessary... ( Read more about 6 Factors in Accurate Blood Pressure Readings)

62-year old Howard Fuhr was taken by surprise when he went to see his heart specialist. "I had an abnormal 'um'stress test and um the next thing that my cardiologist suggested was having an angiogram and I wasn't sure if I was ready to go that... ( Read more about 64 SLICE CT SCANNER)

You might have heard the expression, drink in moderation. Now there's evidence this is good advice. Not only can heavy drinking promote heart attacks, it can also increase one's risk of dying after a heart attack. There's a point at which more... ( Read more about AHA Drinking Dangers Web Script)

There are numerous studies which show racial disparities in healthcare. Two new studies show the differences are certainly caused at least in part, by inadequate medication treatment.

The cholesterol-lowering drug lipitor slowed down mental decline and improved depressive symptoms in people with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a small study reported at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting.

In data presented at this year's American Heart Association annual meeting, scientists from the biotech company lipid sciences announced they are able to reverse the build up of fatty cholesterol plaque in heart arteries.

Are you on the right medicine to control your blood pressure? A new study on Black Americans shows some medicines work, and some don’t for this subset of hypertensive patients.

It's widely known that smoking is bad for your heart and blood vessels in general. But the latest research shows it's not just tobacco smoke that can damage the cardiovascular system. Now, new research in the February issue of Environmental... ( Read more about Air Pollution and Heart Disease)

We're deep in the middle of the summer travel season, and with the latest fare wars, the skies are filled with folks looking to get away. But what, if any, are the risks of air travel for those with cardiovascular disease, such as a history of... ( Read more about Air Travel Recommendations)

As if you needed another excuse! There is yet another study released this week that shows a drink a day is good for the heart. But how much is the right amount, and why does it work? New research in the archives of internal medicine looked at... ( Read more about Alcohol Benefits for the Heart)

Lately, alcohol has gained a lot of attention because of its benefits to the heart. It's been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk when used in moderation. However, there's a warning tonight that shows the opposite if used in excess. Now, new... ( Read more about Alcohol and Stroke Risk)

The American Heart Association Conference has kicked off in New Orleans. Researchers at Yale University looked at the effects of yoga and meditation on the risk of cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack or stroke. 33 people were followed... ( Read more about American Heart: Yoga, Wedding Bliss, and BP Control)

Its been, 230 years to be exact since we declared our independence from Britain, and subsequently won that war. But in the long run, we may not be better off than the British, at least, when it comes to our health. Talk about the good stuff:... ( Read more about Americans VS Brits:)

Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you.. There ARE many, many differences between the sexes. “I think women are smarter.”... “Men are stubborn.”... “Women can have babies, men can’t.”... “Women are quite unpredictable, aren’t they?”... ( Read more about Angina Treatment in Women)

Research suggests that thin people may not be as healthy as they appear. Medical researchers at Imperial College, London, have shown that people with low or average body weight may not be healthy on the inside. These doctors believe that... ( Read more about Are Certain Thin People Actually Obese?)

What are Blood Thinners?

Pero Fluorochemicals are a group of chemicals that do the same job as hemoglobin in red blood cells. It transports oxygen to tissues... ( Read more about Artificial Blood)

So does an aspirin a day really keep the doctor away? There’s a new study that questions the long term benefits of aspirin in people who are using it to prevent a first time heart attack or stroke. It might be surprising to some, but for those... ( Read more about Aspirin Primary Prevention Study)

They're cropping up in public locations everywheres. Automatic external defibrillators, which can shook a stopped heart back to life, are effective if used properly. But can the average person, not trained in any from of emergency medicine, use... ( Read more about Automatic Defibrillators)

Women need to become far more aware than they are of the signs of a heart attack, which differ significantly from heart attack symptoms in men, many doctors say.
   
And they desperately need to be educated in how to... ( Read more about Awareness Needed of Female Heart Attack Signs)

A new study shows a class of medications used for heart failure gets a passing grade, in spite of unwarranted skepticism about their effectiveness and safety to patients. There have been several studies out now that justify the fact beta... ( Read more about BETA Blocker Study)

A popular class of blood pressure medicines has been for the most part dissed in a major medical journal, prompting questions as to whether patient should switch from the treatment they’re currently taking. For three decades now, beta-blockers... ( Read more about Beta Blockers Blasted)

The most advanced method used to perform open heart surgery means a quicker recovery time and less postoperative risks. However, very few doctors use the technique. The term port access refers to a technique that allows doctors to put a patient... ( Read more about Better Cardiac Surgery)

There is a concerning report tonight, and a bit of a wake-up call to women and blacks, and especially black women, that they are being short-changed when it comes to being treated for high blood pressure. You might be on medicine, but are your... ( Read more about Blood Pressure Control Disparity)

There's a good chance either you or someone you know and care about has high blood pressure. But are you--or they--faithful about taking prescribed medicine and following up with the doctor? New research shows why many people don't, and... ( Read more about Blood Pressure Studies)

Could a body building drug be a miracle lifesaver for those suffering from heart failure? This is one of the big ticket items in healthcare. Congestive heart failure is the fastest-growing clinical cardiac disease entity in the United States,... ( Read more about Body Building drugs for the heart)

It might surprise you that at this time when people are cutting back on portion size and are worried about carbs and calories and the problem of obesity in America, one fast food company is rolling out a supercharged high fat breakfast... ( Read more about Breakfast Sandwich)

Cryoablation is a procedure that’s helping patients like Peter Hetala stop worrying about their cardiac health. For 7 years, Peter Hetala’s heart would race uncontrollably. "My heart's coming out of my chest and since it’s pumping so much blood... ( Read more about Breakthrough Procedure Cryoablation)

What was once the hot class of arthritis and pain pills, now the Cox-2 inhibitors are facing daunting challenges. It has slowly but surely snowballed into a huge problem for this group of medications, which are now linked to heart attack risk.... ( Read more about COX-2 Inhibitor Troubles)

High blood pressure is a problem that affects more than one in every four Americans. The disease can slowly destroy the blood vessels and lead to numerous problems, including heart attacks and strokes. But does blood pressure tell the whole... ( Read more about CV Profilor Special Report)

In our highly caffeinated American society, one class of people may be particularly at risk: expectant mothers and the fetuses they bear. Recent experimental evidence indicates that pregnant mice exposed to just a single dose of caffeine (the... ( Read more about Caffeine During Pregnancy May Damage Fetus' Heart)

Being a grandparent is one of life’s great gifts. As a grandmother of 5 grandchildren, 52 year old Nancy Ruggles is intimately familiar with the joy. But, for Nancy, the day she had her heart attack, she feared she’d never see her grandchildren... ( Read more about Calling 911 and Heart Attacks)

There is a new technology being looked at by doctors and public health officials as a better way to detect heart blockages early on, before they cause a heart attack. Given the fact that heart disease is America’s number one killer, looking for... ( Read more about Cardiosound)

Coronary bypass operations, reaming out arteries with balloon-tipped catheters, and placing drug-coated wire-mesh tubes in blood vessels to keep them open are procedures performed on millions of Americans a year. But most of these expensive... ( Read more about Cardiovascular Operations Way Overused, Critics Say)

If you or someone you know has been told he or she has a history of hardening of the arteries, or even just has several risks for this, what is then the risk of suffering a major health catastrophe in the following year--like a heart attack or... ( Read more about Cardiovascular Risks)

Stent Angioplasty

Stent angioplasty was first performed in the mid-1980s and was approved by the FDA in the mid-1990s. It is now widely used in the treatment of coronary artery disease. This procedure is done... ( Read more about Carotid Stent Procedure)

A procedure designed to protect the brain from strokes and mini-strokes has been shown to have an added benefit: it helps people think and remember better!

THERE IS A WARNING TONIGHT CONCERNING THE POPULAR PAIN KILLING DRUG CELEBREX. PFIZER, THE COMPANY THAT MAKES CELEBREX, HAS ANNOUNCED A GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED CANCER-PREVENTION TRIAL OF CELEBREX WAS HALTED AFTER PATIENTS TAKING IT HAD MORE THAN... ( Read more about Celebrex Heart Danger)

Chelation therapy, in which a chemical agent improves one's health by latching on to excess metal atoms in the body, forming complexes that are then excreted in the urine, so far has only limited proven effectiveness. Claims are often made that... ( Read more about Chelation Therapy Would Be Great, if It Works)

High cholesterol and children:

Detecting and treating high cholesterol in children is important to protect them against heart disease later in life. Darren Barrere looks like your average 13... ( Read more about Children & High Cholesterol)

Some solid validation for you chocolate lovers out there tonight! A new study in a major medical journal says chocolate lowers your blood pressure and helps prevent deaths from cardiovascular disease! Can this really be true???? Is chocolate... ( Read more about Chocolate Heart Benefits)

So maybe one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get that cholesterol under control! There are so many ways to get your cholesterol down: diet, exercise, and medicines like the statins—like pravachol--which lower cholesterol by 30 to 40... ( Read more about Cholesterblock)

A treatment approved by the FDA for extremely high levels of cholesterol nearly eight years ago is just now starting to see the light of day because Medicare is approving payment for it. For patients with extremely high levels of bad... ( Read more about Cholesterol Cleaner)

Here’s a pop quiz for all you women out there: What’s the difference between the bad cholesterol and the good cholesterol? And what are your numbers? If a new national survey is any indication, most of you don’t know. This is actually fairly... ( Read more about Cholesterol Unawareness In Women)

The supplement called policosonol (poly—kos-uh-nol) has been widely used as a nutritional supplement. it’s not a medicine, but many insist it is highly effective at lowering the total and bad, or LDL cholesterol levels. When Harriet Paul was... ( Read more about Cholestrol Suppliments)

Native New Yorker, John Astorina and his wife Fran of 41 years, love exploring the “Big Apple” on foot, soaking up all of its cultural and architectural richness. But, a diabetic for 31 years, john recently began having problems with blood flow... ( Read more about Clogged Artery Procedure)

Could a cup of coffee kill you? It sounds almost absurd, but that is the headline of a new study just released--that in some people, it actually can. You know, most of us don’t think about the science or medicine behind... ( Read more about Coffee Killer)

What is Coronary Bypass?Coronary Bypass Surgery)

In patients with mild to moderate gum disease, a trip to the dentist for tartar removal and overall cleaning has the benefit of actually reducing inflammation of the endothelium (lining) of the arteries, thus lowering the risk for heart... ( Read more about Dental Cleaning May Alleviate Heart Disease Risk)

Dentists can play a potentially life-saving role in health care by identifying patients at risk of fatal heart attacks and referring them to physicians for further evaluation, according a new study published in the Journal of the American Dental... ( Read more about Dentists Can Identify Those At Risk for Heart Disease)

If you think your state of mind can’t kill you, listen to this one. A new study shows being depressed can increase your risk of suddenly dropping dead by a cardiac arrest. Talk about a new marketing approach for psychologists: its been long... ( Read more about Depression and Heart Attacks)

Amidst all the news that we’re getting fatter as a nation and are killing ourselves with diets, come two glimmers of hope in the form of medical studies that maybe we’re doing a little better with regards to cholesterol and diabetes... ( Read more about Diabetes and Cholesterol Improvements)

You’d think that if you suffered a heart attack you would absolutely not miss a day of medicine. But many people don’t stick to their drug regimen, and a new study shows what happens if you don’t take two of the most important heart attack... ( Read more about Did You Take Your Pills Today?)

Drug-eluting stents have helped to markedly improve the results of stent procedures designed to reopen clogged arteries. But a researcher in the Netherlands warns that patients need to make sure they stay on an important medication, otherwise,... ( Read more about Drug Eluting Stent Warning)

Well, it’s not an easy issue to discuss, but there’s an important warning tonight for men who may be experiencing any symptoms of erectile dysfunction, or E.D. This could be a big warning sign of a future heart attack or stroke. There’s no... ( Read more about ED and Cardiovascular Risk)

     Erectile dysfunction in men 40 to 49 years old is associated with a doubled risk of heart disease, according to a recent study. And men with erectile dysfunction overall have an 80 percent greater chance of developing a... ( Read more about Early Erectile Dysfunction May Predict Heart Disease)

High-fat diets, even short ones, can produce severe inflammation in the fat tissue around blood vessels, perhaps leading the way to cardiovascular disease, a recent study revealed.
   
The research, published in the... ( Read more about Eating Fatty Foods Inflames Blood Vessels' Fat Cover)

A new study just released at a major medical conference shows that the population at highest risk from high blood pressure is the least likely to be appropriately treated. Hypertension in the elderly is a silent but deadly killer. And as we get... ( Read more about Elderly And Hypertension)

It's the time of year when parents and students are focusing on report cards. But believe it or not, some doctors worry about their report cards all the time. Yes, physicians get report cards on the outcomes of procedures they perform.

Those New Year’s resolutions are just around the corner. And as usual, one of the most popular resolutions is to start exercising.

If you exercise vigorously before eating a fatty meal, your arteries will likely still be able to dilate normally in response to the body's requirement for increased blood flow, a recent study has found. It was already known that intense... ( Read more about Exercise Shields Blood Vessels From Fatty Meals' Influence)

Exercise is typically thought of as something that’s good for the heart. There is a new warning for women who decide to get going in an exercise program, but who have never exercised before. The problem: sudden cardiac death, when the heart... ( Read more about Exercise and Heart Disease Studies in Women)

Fainting is a common problem. And it can be scary. But is it serious? In most cases it's not. The reasons for fainting range from swooning to the sight of a rock star to serious heart rhythm disturbances. Now Mayo Clinic researchers have shown... ( Read more about Fainting Diagnosis)

How well do you know your family medical history? We mean, really know –in the sense of knowing what each parent, brother, sister, grandparent, and great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, and cousin has or has had in terms of medical conditions.

There’s good news and bad news surrounding birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. While one new study reinforces previous findings that estrogen and progesterone hormones together increase blood clot risk, another shows birth... ( Read more about Female Hormones And Vascular Disease)

Type 2 diabetes is less frequent among black women who engage in vigorous walking for exercise several times a week, according to a recent study, regardless of whether they're thin or fat. The study, performed by Julie Palmer of Boston... ( Read more about Fewer Black Women Who Exercise Have Diabetes)

If obese people lose even a moderate amount of weight, their risk of developing serious health problems, especially heart disease, is dramatically lowered, according to a recent study.
   
The research, done by doctors... ( Read more about For Obese, Losing a Little Helps a Lot)

Evidence is mounting that some rather surprising attributes and habits of a person's life can pretty well foretell whether that man or woman will live to a ripe old age. Here are four of them: -- Having strong legs. Leg strength translates into... ( Read more about Four Predictors of Long Life)

General recommendations for heart health are: get about 40 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week, cut dietary fat and salt intake, pay attention to your blood pressure and cholesterol. But can taking care of your gums help your heart? It... ( Read more about Gumming up Heart Health)

Social stress is linked to deposits of harmful fats in the abdomen, which can accelerate the accumulation of plaque in blood vessels, a major risk factor for heart disease, according to research presented by a new US study.
( Read more about Harmful Fat Buildup Linked to Social Stress)

Exercise could be a simple, easy way to overcome the symptoms of menopause. Spanish researchers found that the number of women suffering severe symptoms fell by a quarter after they took part in a 12-month supervised exercise program, while... ( Read more about Health Wrap Reports on Menopause and Cholesterol)

There is a new warning for people with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators: Magnets may pose a serious health risk! While common magnets for home and office use with low magnetic strength posed little risk, stronger magnets... ( Read more about Health Wrap | Cardiology, Cancer, Asthma, Trans-fat)

New research by British scientists shows that the biggest health threat to fat and obese people isn't the fat itself but the fact that the fat fuels a killer inflammation response in people. Doctors studied a large group of people, belonging to... ( Read more about Health Wrap: Reports on Aneurysms, Peanut Allergies, and Obesity)

There’s an old phrase—fat and happy—and it may bear some truth. New research in the archives of internal medicine showed that among men, the risk of death from suicide is inversely related to one’s body mass index--a marker of overweight and... ( Read more about Healthwrap Blood Pressure Drug)

A study of 60,000 postmenopausal women found that pre-hypertension, a slightly elevated blood pressure above normal is associated with nearly a 60 percent higher risk of cardiovascular death than normal blood pressure.

The issue of how women and minorities on the whole receive lower standards of healthcare has been much discussed. One of the important areas where disparities have been seen is medical treatment for heart attacks in women and minorities. Have... ( Read more about Heart Attack Disparities)

There is a warning tonight for those at risk of a heart attack. New research says you should make sure you or someone you love is taken to a hospital that can perform the procedure called angioplasty. The fact is, many patients who live in... ( Read more about Heart Attack Transfer)

You’re hearing a whole lot about love this Valentine’s day; But we’re going to take a path down the dark side for a moment. What happens when that love is lost…when the break up happens? How bad can it get psychologically…and even physically?

Fast heart CAT scans have been a screening test in limbo. The exact role and place for this exam, which is becoming more widely available, hasn't been well defined, until now.

What is the best way to determine if someone, who has no symptoms, is at risk for a heart attack or stroke? The best test might still be the best kept secret in medicine. Electron Beam CT (EBCT) uses CAT scan technology to look inside the... ( Read more about Heart Calcium Score)

Heart disease in America, once thought to be the exclusive province of the elderly, is occurring more and more among younger age groups - and overwhelmingly among African Americans, according to a recent study that was the first large-scale effort... ( Read more about Heart Failure Alarmingly High Among Under-50 African Ameicans)

Is your hospital one of the many which fall short in providing the correct care for heart failure, and are as a result putting patients at risk for dying unnecessarily? You'd think if you go to an accredited hospital, you would get a uniformly... ( Read more about Heart Failure Care)

“Back in 94 I was laying down Christmas Eve and my heart started racing and when I got here my heart rate was 250 beats.” Ronald McClarin has a dangerous heart rhythm--which is why doctors put into him an ICD--an implantable cardioverter. It... ( Read more about Heart Failure Device)

James Appello is 64 and says his heart failure had all but taken away his life. "Before I had the treatment I couldn't walk across the room without gasping heavily for breathe and holding on to an item of furniture to support myself."

Pat Brough had been suffering for years with cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn't work as well as it should. "I often experienced severe shortness of breath. I would just find myself unable to get... ( Read more about Heart Jacket)

A new heart attack treatment uses myoblast cells from different parts of the body to regenerate damaged heart muscle. Doctors have shown how they can regenerate parts of a heart that have been destroyed by a heart attack. The cells for this... ( Read more about Heart Myoblast Cell Injection)

The heart pump is a small piece of technology that may one day be able to save thousands of lives, the lives of people who die waiting for a heart transplant. "There is no limit on the number of devices and machines that you can make whereas... ( Read more about Heart Pump)

There are important new studies concerning heart disease and protecting against death associated with heart attack.

Would you get heart valve surgery if you didn't have any symptoms? New research says many patients with a common heart valve problem should have performed a heart valve surgery. The study looks at a problem with the mitral valve, which is the... ( Read more about Heart Valve Surgery Study)

Seven years ago, when she was just 53, Judy Fein had a heart attack. But like many women, Judy never even thought about her heart. Amazingly, neither did her doctor. “I smoked that was a problem…a lot…a pack and a half a lot!,” Says Judy.

Heart Attacks:

One of the most common causes of death in the United States is heart disease. One of the most serious examples of this is a myocardial... ( Read more about Heart attacks are one of the most common causes of death)

Currently there are several available acid reflux treatments. 60 million Americans suffer from it. One-fourth of these, approximately 15 million, have daily symptoms. That is the case with patient Michael Mills.

If you could wake up from anesthesia with your ipod in your ears, what music would you choose to hear? Music therapy is now being used in some of the most critical postoperative patients. There’s no question, adrenaline is bad for the heart,... ( Read more about Hearts and Harps)

Coffee is the most widely consumed behaviorally active substance in the world. It's composed of several hundred compounds including antioxidants, carbohydrates, lipids, viatamins, minerals, phenolic compounds and alkaloids. However, caffeine has... ( Read more about High Caffeine Consumption Linked to Arrhythmias)

Ok, let’s get this straight once and for all, shall we? Should we be eating a low carb diet, or a high carb diet? And do the types of carbs make a difference in terms of losing weight? This latest research says a high carb diet--but with the... ( Read more about High Carbs and Heart)

Individuals who consume a diet high in corn syrup increase their risk of developing high blood pressure, according to findings published in a paper presented at the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Meeting. The findings suggest that cutting... ( Read more about High Fructose Corn Syrup Is An Ingredient for Hypertension)

Americans who consume large amounts of red and processed meats face a greater likelihood of death by cancer or heart disease, a recent study found.
   
The research was published in the Archives of Internal... ( Read more about High-Red-Meat Diet Raises Mortality Risk)

If you're on a blood-thinner, it's likely you're in and out labs a lot. Now, a new Coumadin patient self testing system can help you save you a lot of time while allowing you to remain on track toward good health.

It appears that for heart attack patients, the rating by U.S. News & World Report may be justified. A new study published in the July edition of Archives of Internal Medicine found that patients treated at hospitals ranked by U.S. News... ( Read more about Hospital Rankings Partially Accurate for Heart Patients)

Dr. Veronica Lofaso and nurse practitioner Deidre Mole are preparing to see patients. There's no overflowing waiting room, there aren't even exam rooms filled with anxious patients. They leave their office to pound the pavement and visit... ( Read more about House Calls)

It’s hot, sexy, and sweaty, and one of the coolest things going these days! Ballroom dancing is back thanks in part to dancing with the stars. It’s a terrific way to get in shape, which is part of the reason why now ballroom dance classes are... ( Read more about Innovative Exercise: Ballroom Blitz)

If you’re looking to get cut…in terms of muscle definition, these swords have no edge… This is the class for you. It’s called Forza…and was created by Equinox Fitness Instructor, Ilaria Montagnani The class teaches the basics of Iaido which is... ( Read more about Innovative Exercise: Forza Class)

Can exercising for just a few minutes at a time provide the same, or even better benefit than 30 or even 60 minutes of continuous exercise? The concept of briefer periods of exercise spread out throughout the day is not a new one. However, this... ( Read more about Intermittent Exercise Study)

Just one hamburger isn’t going to hurt, right? New research shows that in fact, that might be incorrect thinking. Now, the best way to think about diet and nutrition is moderation: everything in moderation--and that even the so called worst... ( Read more about Just One Hamburger!)

When you think of high blood pressure, you classically think of adults. But hypertension in children is actually much more prevalent than it's commonly perceived. And because it often goes unrecognized, hypertension in children can lead to long... ( Read more about Kids and Hypertension)

There is new evidence that the growing problem of obesity among our youth is creating a very real health risk that was thought to exist mostly in adults. It's the kind of thing kids shouldn't have to think about- heart attacks, strokes and... ( Read more about Kids and Metabolic Syndrome)

In an advance that has implications for new anti-obesity and anti-cancer drugs, a “movie” has been made of how a molecular complex in the human cell performs a “dance” in which it dramatically changes shape to promote... ( Read more about Knowledge of Fat-Making Complex Could Fight Obesity)

Forget an apple a day. There's new research that examines the health benefits of laughter, and shows that a good old guffaw can be terrific for your cardiovascular health. We all know it makes us feel better, but now scientists have looked... ( Read more about Laughter and Heart Health)

Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from sudden cardiac arrest each year. Now, there is an amazing new type of vest that's worn, which can detect an abnormal heart rhythm and shock a person's heart back to a normal rhythm, in the event of... ( Read more about Life Vest)

A peculiar and destructive condition that afflicts as many as 10 percent of women is the most common cause of female infertility. Women with the disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), usually are overweight, miss or have irregular periods,... ( Read more about Little-Known Cause of Infertility)

So just in case you thought the skinny on low fat diets was a big fat pile of confusion, there’s a new study out today: and it comes to the conclusion that the alternative low carb diets may be putting folks at risk for cardiovascular disease.... ( Read more about Low Carb Diets)

How low should cholesterol go? And is it safe to reduce cholesterol levels to as low as doctors can take it? New research just released provides the answer. The guidelines for cholesterol goals have shifted over the years, gradually decreasing.... ( Read more about Low Low Cholesterol)

It is dictum in the medical universe, that a low salt diet is a heart healthy way to eat. It’s common knowledge….like one plus one equals two. “The evidence is really not clear,” says Dr. Hillel Cohen, a public health expert at the Albert... ( Read more about Low Salt Heart Danger)

Though low-carb/high-protein diets have been proven to be successful for weight loss, there have been few studies examining the diets' long-term vascular effects. Now, a study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center provides new data on the... ( Read more about Low-Carb Diets Linked to Plaque Buildup)

Sleep apnea – in which a sleeping person repeatedly ceases breathing for intervals – restricts the brain’s blood flow and raises its blood pressure, eventually disrupting the brain’s ability to control these dynamics and... ( Read more about Mechanics of Sleep Apnea Show Why It's Perilous)

The condition known as metabolic syndrome – a group of abnormalities that opens the door to heart disease and diabetes – appears to be linked with an amplified risk of developing so-called vascular dementia, but not... ( Read more about Metabolic Abnormalities Linked to a Form of Dementia)

Do you have the condition that millions of Americans have which puts them at risk for a heart attack or a stroke? Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of symptoms or conditions that together markedly raises one's risk for cardiovascular... ( Read more about Metabolic Syndrome Death Risk)

Around twenty million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. Many can be treated with medications, but there are some who are still in pain. Now, it appears that fixing a problem in the heart may help get rid of migraines! This is just... ( Read more about Migraine and Heart Hole - PFO)

They’re painful, they’re debilitating, but could migraines also be deadly? New research says that at least one in five migraine sufferers, if not more, are at an increased risk of death. At the age of 35, Hailey McDad is one of them. That’s... ( Read more about Migraines and Cardiovascular)

On the basis of a new study, scientists are suggesting that heart disease may be caused by degradation of tiny cellular components called mitochondria - and that the cure may be found in taking steps to rejuvenate the little ovoid bodies.... ( Read more about Mitochondrial Breakdown Produces Heart Disease)

Antidepressant use among women is associated with greater risk for sudden cardiac death, a recent study revealed.
   
But the reason for the link is unclear, and the fact doesn’t suggest that antidepressants... ( Read more about More Cardiac Death in Women Using Antidepressants)

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil supplements not only help prevent cardiovascular diseases in healthy individuals, but also reduce the incidence of deadly cardiac events in patients with existing heart disease, according to new research... ( Read more about More Evidence That Fish Oil Aids Heart Health)

"I said to him, please mark my ball and if it's not a heart attack I'll be back later." says heart attack patient Tony Limbardo. Tony Limbardo did have a heart attack while playing golf. Ironically, follow-up showed his cholesterol tests were... ( Read more about NMR Profile)

A shocking 30% of Americans report having abused alcohol or suffer from alcoholism at some point in their lives. A new government study tracked alcohol dependency and abuse in a representative sampling of over 43,000 Americans over the age of... ( Read more about Nearly One-Third of Americans Report Alcohol Abuse)

Native New Yorker, John Astorina and his wife Fran of 41 years, love exploring the “Big Apple” on foot, soaking up all of its cultural and architectural richness. But, a diabetic for 31 years, john recently began having problems with blood flow... ( Read more about New Procedure For Clogged Arteries)

President Obama’s love-hate affair with cigarettes is emblematic of that of thousands of other smokers in America who would like to quit but who are repeatedly pulled back into tobacco’s orbit by stress and addictive urges.

EECP- a little known non-drug treatment for heart disease has now been shown to be a promising therapy for impotence in a small research study.

Could a popular cholesterol lowering medicine soon become available over the counter? Today, the FDA began hearings to consider Merck & Co.'s request to sell its 20-milligram Mevacor pill over the counter. Four years ago, the FDA rejected a... ( Read more about OTC Statins)

Recent studies have uncovered new links between obesity and race, showing that body fat distribution varies between different races. We've all been told that America's bulging waistline is increasing our risk for serious diseases like... ( Read more about Obesity and Race)

The U.S. government has released a study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which shows unquestionably America shows no signs of slimming down. This is in spite of news last week when a major researcher said the... ( Read more about Obesity in America)

Studies reveal the hidden dangers behind outdoor secondhand smoke exposure. A 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's Report claims secondhand smoke kills tens of thousands of people each year, and it has long been claimed that second hand smoke can be... ( Read more about Outdoor Secondhand Smoke)

You might think that the least painful heart attacks are the ones which are the least likely to be deadly. New research shows that's the farthest from the truth. It is more often than not that the patient experiencing a heart attack will have... ( Read more about Painless Heart Attacks)

You have taken the important first step on the path to physical fitness by seeking information. The next step is to decide that you are going to be physically fit. This pamphlet is designed to help you reach that decision and your goal. The... ( Read more about Physical Fitness Program Cannot Be Taken Lightly)

Being a nurse, Stella O’Brien knew instantly that she was having a stroke. “I knew I had to be hospitalized, my mind was functioning very clearly, but I could not communicate verbally

A new study conducted on mice reveals the potential for a drug that can give the same results as exercise. At the Salk Institute, Dr. Ronald Evans has engineered a drug for mice that chemically stimulates a key receptor known as peroxisome... ( Read more about Potential Exercise Pill)

There is important new research out tonight that may be the start of a different approach in medicine: to treat high blood pressure before it even gets high. The fact is about 69 percent of people who have a first heart attack, 77 percent of... ( Read more about Pre-Hypertension Treatment)

There is new evidence that an extremely common skin condition is associated with an elevated risk for heart attack. We’re talking about psoriasis, which affects about 2 to 3 percent of the adult population. As if this condition isn’t bad... ( Read more about Psoriasis and Heart Attack Risk)

“They told my husband, basically, go find a plot, say goodbye, they called him once in the middle of the night to come say goodbye,” says Cynthia Link. 53 year old Cynthia stared death in the face. Thirteen years ago, she was diagnosed with... ( Read more about Pulmonary Hypertension)

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how... ( Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)

57 year old Ted Barnes knew that his body was sounding an alarm, and guessed he was experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack. "I was feeling a tingling in my fingertips and it was kind of an unusual feeling. Then I had this attack of... ( Read more about Replicating Heart Stem Cells)

A new study released at the International Conference on Prevention of Dementia on June 11th suggests that treating other health factors - like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can help slow the onset and severity of dementia... ( Read more about Research Suggests Ways to Slow Alzheimer's)

There’s new evidence that people with arthritis and other diseases caused by inflammation may be at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This study specifically looked at patients with rheumatoid arthritis, although it’s possible that... ( Read more about Rheumatoid Arthritis and Atherosclerosis)

There are 65 proteins that can be found at levels twice as great in the saliva of diabetics as in that of healthy people, a recent study found.
   
The scientists from Oregon and India who performed the investigation... ( Read more about Saliva Test May Someday Replace Diabetes Blood Test)

Saturated fat, sugar, tobacco... and now salt. The medical field has now put sodium chloride, our most popular condiment, in its sights. ( Read more about Salt - The Next Food Villain)

74 year old Grace Browne has been driving since she was a teenager. But, today, it's with much caution, even some trepidation when she gets behind the wheel. "My bones are not as strong as they used to be." Like Grace, for many senior citizens... ( Read more about Senior Design Crash Test)

Seven out of ten children in the US have low levels of vitamin D, putting them at greater risk of eventually suffering from bone disease high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors, according to research published in the online... ( Read more about Seventy Percent of Children Low In Vitamin D)

Every year, the third Friday in February is declared by the federal government as national woman’s heart day--a day to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease in women. Now, if you’ve watched or read the media reports this month, you might... ( Read more about Sister to Sister)

If you smoke or know someone who smokes, which is just about all of us, you know how difficult it is to quit smoking. But what about cutting back, reducing the number of cigarettes one smokes each day as a first step towards quitting smoking?... ( Read more about Smoking Cut Back)

If you have a few extra pounds, could that extra fat on you one day save your life? New research suggests it could help the recovery after a heart attack. It has to do with the benefits of stem cell research. Stem cells are the so-called master... ( Read more about Stem Cells for Heart Attack)

Stent Angioplasty Stent angioplasty was first performed in the mid-1980s and was approved by the FDA in the mid-1990s. It is now widely used in the treatment of coronary artery disease. This procedure... ( Read more about Stent Angioplasty)

There’s new evidence the latest generation of coronary stents--those that are coated with drugs--may in fact be associated with an increased risk of blood clots in the heart arteries they’re designed to keep open. Coronary stents have been an... ( Read more about Stent Danger)

Obese black women may face a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to stress, a recent study suggested. Almost one-quarter of American black women have type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.Stress, Diabetes Linked in Obese Black Women)

A new study suggest positive effects of chelation therapy. A new study by Ohio State Medical Center suggests a link between mercury and heart disease, traced to the activation of a relatively unknown enzyme, which triggers a process leading to... ( Read more about Study Supports the Efficacy of Chelation Therapy)

Sudden cardiac death is one of the leading causes of mortality in America. Now, new research points to a way to identify those most at risk--and it involves a simple exercise test. The frustration lies in the name of the problem. Sudden cardiac... ( Read more about Sudden Death Predictor)

July 4th goes together with baseball, hot dogs, loads of sodium…and the accompanying high blood pressure. So not to throw a damper on your barbeque, but baseball legend Tommy Lasorda is traveling the country urging folks to keep their blood... ( Read more about Tommy Lasorda High Blood Pressure Awareness)

It’s an often talked about aspect of the battle of the sexes: which gender can handle pain better? A new study shows women--at one time considered the weaker sex--are actually stronger. But that may not be such a good thing, especially given... ( Read more about Tough Women Study)

Patients with leg arteries partly or fully blocked by plaque, a condition that hinders walking and often produces debilitating leg pain, had their walking endurance and quality of life boosted by treadmill exercise, according to a recent study. ... ( Read more about Treadmill Exercise Helps Patients With Leg-Artery Disease)

What is Artherectomy?

Artherectomy is a procedure for opening a coronary artery blocked by plaque, the buildup of cholesterol and other fatty substances in... ( Read more about Understanding Artherectomy)

What is Arteriosclerosis?

Arteriosclerosis is the build-up of deposits called plaque in inner lying of an artery. Plaque is made of fatty substances,... ( Read more about Understanding Artherolsclerosis | Symptoms, Causes, Treatments)

Balloon Angioplasty is an interventional cardiology procedure that is used to open a partially blocked coronary artery. The procedure is done on the local anesthetic. ( Read more about Understanding Balloon Angioplasty)

What is Cardiac Catheterization?

Cardiac Catheterization is a specialized heart test used to visualize the blood vessels around the heart and measure the... ( Read more about Understanding Cardiac Catheterization)

What is the Heart?

The... ( Read more about Understanding the External Structure of the Heart)

The Internal Structure of the Heart. A muscular septum divides the heart internally into a left and a right half. Each half is subdivided into two chambers, the atrium (reception) and the ventricle (pump chamber). Internally all four chambers... ( Read more about Understanding the Internal Structure of the Heart)

There is an important health warning tonight for you and your family. Vitamin E, which had at one point been thought to help promote health and well-being, has been shown to be harmful in several ways. Yet, many are still taking it in doses... ( Read more about VIitamin E Overuse)

Recently there has been considerable focus on the health benefits of chocolate, pointing out that chocolate contains substances that can help prevent various diseases. There is a small but growing body of evidence that flavanols in chocolate... ( Read more about Valentine's Chocolate Heart Benefits)

People who sustain a highly active lifestyle gain less weight as they age. A new study by Paul Williams of Berkeley Lab has found that maintaining a vigorously active lifestyle can help offset gaining weight with age. The data comes from the... ( Read more about Vigorous Exercise with Age)

Adolescents with low levels of vitamin D in their blood have a greater frequency of high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar, a recent study revealed, leaving them vulnerable to later heart problems and diabetes.
    Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Teen Cardiovascular Problems)

Smoking is one of the very strong risk factors for developing vascular disease. We have seen very young people who smoke develop vascular disease. Normally as our arteries become blocked, it is a part of aging. Most of the patients with... ( Read more about What Is The Impact of Smoking on Vascular Disease?)

Dr. Sateesh Babu of Vascular Associates of Westchester discusses "What is Carotid Stenosis?", the treatments, who should be screened and future developments, such as new stenting techniques.

Dr. Sattesh Babu of Vascular Associates of Westchester discusses Peripheral Arterial Disease, who is at risk, why it is important to be screened and current treatments. Pad is essentially a blockage of the arteries in the lower... ( Read more about What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?)

Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses the Polypill. The Polypill is being developed in response to an important reality surrounding cardiovascular disease. There are three important drugs that can help prevent heart disease (statins, ACE inhibitors,... ( Read more about What is the Polypill?)

How the Body Ages:

The nucleus of every cell has 23 pairs of... ( Read more about Why and How Does the Body Age?)

There have been plenty of studies done showing the health benefits of alcohol on the heart, and plenty of rumors that the health benefits of red wine are far greater than those of other alcohols. Unfortunately for dipsomaniacs, the fact remains... ( Read more about Wine Benefits)

“My grandmother died at 67 of heart disease and she was a diabetic, my mother died at 59 from heart disease, my sister who was two years older than me died at 51 from heart disease, my oldest sister who is five years older than me had her first... ( Read more about Women & Heart Centers)

The fattening of America is so out there, so obvious, the question has become how do we get the message that we need to reverse the trend? Perhaps, the message is sinking in, at least among women. New research released by the CDC shows, among... ( Read more about Women, Obesity Rates, and the Fountain of Youth)

It would make sense at first glance that workplace stress leads to heart disease--no surprise, right? But the latest research shows chronic stress at work can also leads to diabetes--and that--raises eyebrows. “Deadlines, they ask you questions... ( Read more about Work Stress and Metabolic Syndrome)

A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people... ( Read more about Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There)

Most people would npt consider a 35 year old a likely candidate for serious heart trouble, even if she is a young smoker. But new research shows that young smokers between 35 and 39 are at a significantly higher risk of heart attacks than their... ( Read more about Young Smokers)

By Tauseef Ahmed, MD, FACP Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Oncology / Hematology at New York Medical College Your tests have come back. The news is not good and your doctor refers you to a specialist. Oncologist, Orthopedist,... ( Read more about Your First Visit)

But that’s where the question lies: at what point does one really get life-protecting benefit from exercise--beyond the benefits of a better figure?