Heart Health

These packages can be reliable and helpful, but it depends. This type of screening usually involves ultrasound imaging of the heart and blood vessels, and the reliability of the testing depends on the skill of ... continue reading  about  I see screening offers for heart health and stroke risk. They offer stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm packages, as well as tests for abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. Are these reliable?

A pacemaker is an implanted device that is designed to keep your heart rate from getting too slow. It is given to patients who have too slow a heart rate that makes them feel weak, short of breath, or dizzy. Th... continue reading  about  What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?

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?

You definitely have a challenging dietary situation, but you do have some good options beside tofu.There are plenty of legumes and nuts that you can incorporate into your diet. You could make a bean vegetarian ... continue reading  about  I have a gluten and a dairy intolerance as well as high cholesterol. Do you have a diet suggestion that may address these issues and still allow me to enjoy meal times? I hate tofu!

A Chinese food supplement called Red Rice Yeast has been shown by reasonable scientific studies to lower cholesterol as well as bad cardiovascular events by 15-30 percent. Suggested dose is one to four of the 6... continue reading  about  I'm looking for a natural way to lower my cholesterol. Besides watching what I eat and exercising, is there anything else, like dietary supplements, that would work?

To The Caring Wife,Your concern is not uncommon among the over 1000 bypass surgeries I've followed through in the past 30 some years. By the time your husband leaves the hospital, he should be able to get in an... continue reading  about  My husband had triple bypass open heart surgery with a terrific outcome. Since his heart attack, I'm not sleeping well. My doctor prescribed sleeping pills which I don't take in case he needs me. What can I do to feel more confident that he's doing ok?

Your question has many layers to it. The short answer is "you are not necessarily safe from a heart attack". Let me explain:A person's likelihood of a heart attack is calculated in large, population-based studi... continue reading  about  I have really poor health: obesity, severe vitamin D deficiency, bone and joint problems, shortness of breath upon exertion. I do have perfect blood pressure and good cholesterol. Am I safe from a heart attack?

Your question is at the heart of an important and common issue that cardiologists deal with regularly. When is chest pain a serious problem related to the heart? When is chest pain from something other than the... continue reading  about  I'm having chest pains, but all my tests related to the heart have come up clear. What could be the causing this pain?

This is a common question from anyone who has had a heart attack or has been diagnosed with a heart problem. The Scientific Journal, Circulation, reported on thousands of patients with coronary artery disease w... continue reading  about  How do I know if my heart is healthy enough for sex?