Heart Health

You are wise to be concerned about your cholesterol numbers. This constellation of lipid results commonly occurs with diabetes or in people with a tendency toward diabetes (insulin resistance). It is associated... continue reading  about  I have high cholesterol, low HDL, high LDL and high triglycerides. I cannot take statins. What is the best course of action for me?

Typically muscle cramps that are associated with poor circulation occur only during walking. Classical symptoms of poor circulation are the calves feeling heavy and fatigued, and the person needing to stop and ... continue reading  about  What does it mean when I keep getting cramps in my toes and occasionally my calves? I have a heart condition and was wondering if the cramps could have something to do with poor circulation?

Moderation is the key, as in many areas of health. In general, moderate alcohol consumption, medically defined as up to two drinks per day for men and one per day for women (different metabolism), has been show... continue reading  about  How much does alcohol contribute to high cholesterol, and can I drink while taking Lipitor?

Some migraines can be associated with neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, tingling, vision and speech changes, and some strokes can be associated with headaches. Therefore, sometimes it is difficu... continue reading  about  Migraine and stroke symptoms seem to overlap. How do I know I'm just having a migraine and not a stroke?

In general, the risk of bleeding from a 4mm aneurysm is less than a larger (7mm) aneurysm; however the risk may vary depending on the location, morphology, and other characteristics of the aneurysm. Therefore, ... continue reading  about  Two years ago I was diagnosed with a 4mm brain aneurism. My doctor told me that surgery is not performed until the aneurism is at least 7mm. I have an MRI every year and the size has not changed. Should I be concerned and doing something more?

I'm sorry to hear that you recently suffered from a deep venous thrombosis (DVT), but I'm glad to you have been treated with anti-coagulation medications and are recovering nicely. There is a condition called p... continue reading  about  I was recently diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I am being treated with Xarelto. What else can I do to promote healing during next six months of treatment? I'm physically active and I wear a compression stocking on the leg with DVT.

The simple answer to your question is no, it is not too high. You sound like a very fit woman. A six mph (or a 10-minute) mile is a nice pace. I assume you are comfortable at this pace since you can keep it up ... continue reading  about  I'm a healthy 50-year-old woman. My resting pulse is about 50-60 beats per minute. When I run on the treadmill at a six mph pace for two miles, my pulse will get to 172. I get 35-40 minutes of cardio five times a week. Is 172 too high?

The most common cause of sudden cardiac death is ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia is a very rapid and unstable rhythm that originates from the lower chambers of the heart, or the ventric... continue reading  about  What is sudden cardiac death and who is at most risk? Are there any signs or symptoms?

Angina (also called angina pectoris) is defined as: “a condition marked by severe pain in the chest, often also spreading to the shoulders, arms, and neck, owing to an inadequate blood supply to the heart... continue reading  about  Recently I was having pressure in my chest and pain in my neck and arms. I thought I was having a heart attack. The ER doctor said I have angina. How is angina different from a heart attack?