The Luck of the Draw
The Plan will help you attack most of the risk factors discussed in this chapter. But some, like the ones listed below, you’re stuck with. Even so, keep in mind that your power to reduce your overall CHD risk is still...
Day: July 20, 2023
Diagnosing Depression
The following are sings of depression. If you’re experiencing one or more of them, see your doctor or a mental health care provider. Despair: persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, worthlessness; excessive crying; inappropriate guilt; recurring thoughts of suicide or death, Apathy:...
A Coffee Connection?
For most people coffee contributes little to overall heart disease risk. But if you’re a java junkie, keep reading. A 2001 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking four or more cups of coffee a day affects...
Case 19,471: A Mystery Solved
The discovery of the link between homocysteine and heart disease owes much to an obscure case published in (he November 23, 1933, New England Journal of Medicine. described an 8-year-old boy admitted to Massachu setts General Hospital after four days of...
One More Reason to Brush
Think about this the next time you rush through brushing your teeth or decided to skip flossing: You’re more likely to have elevated C-reactive protein(CRP) levels—and a higher risk of heart disease—if you have gum disease. Gum diseases are bacterial infections...
Should You Have an EBCT?
What if an X-ray could help diagnose heart disease or predict risk? Some researchers think it can. Using electron beam computed tomography (EBCT), a type of CT scan, doctors can examine artery walls for calcium deposits; a lot of calcium indicates...
Warning Signs of Heart Disease
The following signs of heart disease should not be ignored:Angina. A feeling of tightness, pressure, or pain that appears with exertion or stress and disappears with rest. Usually felt.in the chest, throat, upper abdomen, or arms. Shortness of breath. Difficulty breathing,...
How Heart Disease Happens
When you think of heart disease, you probably picture a simple process whereby cholesterol sticks to artery nd gums them up, eventually closing them off What actually happens is somewhat different—and considerably more complicated Stage I Heart Disease: The Scene Is...
Kids and Cholesterol
You’re never too young for high cholesterol. In fact, as many as one-third of American children (from age 2 through the teenage years) have high cholesterol. It’s no surprise. Consider what constitutes kid food in this country: chicken nuggets, boxed macaroni...
Beware the Quick Screening
So you had one of those health-fair cholesterol tests, and your readings came back high. Before you panic, be sure to follow up with your doctor. While these tests are a good first step, any abnormal or high results should be...
