Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)”
You’ve probably heard that many people who get COVID-19 have light symptoms or no symptoms at all. Others aren’t so lucky. People with certain conditions are at a greater risk for bad problems when COVID-19 strikes. According to the CDC, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure increase the chances that a patient will have severe symptoms or need a machine …
Since COVID-19 started spreading around the world earlier this year, doctors have realized that it is especially dangerous for people with heart problems and risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure. COVID-19 mostly affects the lungs, but when the lungs don’t work well, it puts a strain on the heart. If you already have a heart condition, high …
More and more people are taking up Tai Chi to improve their health. Did you know that this ancient martial art has a number of important benefits for the heart? Tai Chi involves a series of graceful, gentle movements that can get your heart rate up while also relaxing your mind. It’s been called meditation in motion. Many people find …
Advice for having a healthy heart—exercise, stop smoking, lose weight—may sound difficult. But there are a few simpler ways to boost your heart health, too. Several recent heart studies highlight new steps to take to reduce your risk for heart attacks and strokes. Here are a few that can set you on your way toward a healthy heart! Filter your …
Can just getting sick increase your risk for heart disease? Accumulating research suggests so. Researchers have long noted a connection between infections like influenza and atherosclerosis. Moreover, the flu vaccine has been linked to a lower risk for cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and stroke, in the year following vaccination. Accumulating evidence shows a similar phenomenon is at work with more …
People who are slim, don’t smoke, and don’t have diabetes usually don’t worry too much about their hearts. Those with good control of their blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels, even less so. But an alarming new study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology may soon change that calculus. Researchers from Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos …
September is National Cholesterol Education Month—a reminder to get a cholesterol check and learn ways to reduce high levels in order to prevent heart attacks and strokes. It’s also a good time to highlight a harmful lipid condition that often goes undiagnosed and unnoticed until disaster strikes. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder that leads to early and aggressive …
A Little Exercise Goes a Long Way for Your Heart Scientists agree: There is little that’s more beneficial to your heart than exercise. But today’s busy schedules can make it hard to establish a regular routine. Fortunately, researchers are finding that it’s not necessary to run marathons or spend long hours on the treadmill to get substantial cardiovascular perks. More …
Powerful new evidence from the Cleveland Clinic confirms a link between choline, a nutrient naturally found in foods like red meat, egg yolks and dairy products, and the risk of dangerous blood clotting. Choline interacts with gut bacteria to make the blood more prone to clotting by helping to produce a compound called, trimethylene N-oxide (TMAO). Elevated blood levels of …
The Surprising Heart Risks of Yo-Yo Dieting Doctors have long known that repeated weight gain and loss, often called yo-yo dieting or weight cycling, wreaks havoc on metabolism and energy levels. What’s less known is that this pattern may set the stage for cardiovascular disease or worsen existing heart ills. In a surprising new study from New York University School …
The Hidden Heart Risk in Your Medicine Cabinet When nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) first hit the market, they were heralded as an attractive alternative to aspirin for tackling aches and pains, as they were thought to be gentler on the digestive tract. But in recent years, these medications, which are used for …
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, killing about a million people every year. Luckily it’s also one of the most preventable health problems Americans face. This American Heart Month, research is highlighting a simple way to improve your risk profile—consuming a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids. Derived from …
It’s an unfortunate fact: Heart disease is not an equal opportunity disease. Nearly half of all African American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, compared with just a third of all white adults in the U.S. And African Americans are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites. Yet, until recently, little research has probed …
Migraine headaches affect as many as 18 percent of American women and 6 percent of American men, triggering a cluster of neurological symptoms, including severe pain, visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting, tingling and numbness, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. If that weren’t enough, it’s beginning to appear that this common condition may also be a harbinger of future …
Everyone is at risk for heart disease, but some people have more risk factors than others. Since heart disease is the leading cause of death among adults in the U.S., it’s important for us all to know what our risk factors for heart disease are, and what we can do about them. There are two types of risk factors for …
Doug Dunning, MD thought he was healthy – until he suffered a heart attack on June 15, 2015, at age 56. He is now convinced that it might have been prevented with the right knowledge, testing, and optimal medical care. “This experience has changed how I practice medicine, making me a more attentive advocate for my patients’ cardiovascular wellness – and my …
A compound called DMB (3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol), found in olive oil, red wine and other foods, may someday be a first-of-its kind drug with the potential to treat—or even prevent—heart disease in the future, suggests a new Cleveland Clinic study published in the journal Cell. The investigators report that in mice, dietary supplementation with this naturally occurring compound safely inhibited atherosclerosis (plaque …
Three new blood tests can help identify hidden risk for a heart attack or stroke in seemingly healthy patients—before symptoms strike. The new tests, now available through Cleveland HeartLab (CHL), check levels of certain biomarkers that have been linked to cardiovascular danger in peer-reviewed studies. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading killer of men and women, accounting for one in …
A new blood test that measures levels of TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide) — a metabolite derived from gut bacteria — can powerfully predict future risk for heart attack, stroke, and death in patients who appear otherwise healthy, according to pioneering Cleveland Clinic research. The new test — now available through Cleveland HeartLab — measures blood levels of TMAO, a compound produced by …
Not only are low levels of vitamin D linked to coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack and stroke, but a new study reveals what specific level of deficiency may raise risk for these conditions. As we recently reported, up to 75 percent of Americans are low in vitamin D, “the sunshine vitamin”. The study found that that patients with blood …
It’s extremely common for people to be diagnosed with diabetes soon after they’ve suffered a heart attack, according to a new study presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 2015 Scientific Sessions. Patients often chalk this double whammy up to bad luck, believing that they were inexplicably hit with two unrelated conditions at once. In reality, having diabetes–particularly if it’s …
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is on the rise among younger women, yet many of them are unaware of their risk until they actually suffer a heart attack, according to a Yale School of Public Health study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). Only 53 percent of the young heart attack survivors studied …
“Acute inflammatory response is often necessary to save your life, and yet chronic inflammatory response could lead to death,” because it’s been linked to everything from heart disease and stroke to Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and many other fatal conditions, Dr. Mark Kestner recently reported in an article titled, “Chronic inflammation will probably be what kills you.” New …
Even if you’re not overweight, cutting calories could lower inflammation by nearly 50 percent, improve other major risk factors for heart attack and stroke, including blood pressure and cholesterol, and even add years to your life, suggests a new National Institute on Aging (NIA) study. The findings, which were published in Journal of Gerontology: Medical Science, “are quite intriguing,” said …
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) ranks among the bestselling supplements, with global sales predicted to reach $849 million by 2020, according to a recent study. Researchers report that CoQ10 may have significant benefits for people with cardiovascular disease (CVD), from reducing risk for repeat heart attacks and improving outcomes in patients with heart failure to lowering blood pressure and helping combat side …
Yep! Despite years of being told that we should avoid eating eggs (both seen and unseen in the foods we eat) because of the high amount of cholesterol in the yolks, experts now say that the cholesterol in foods is NOT what causes the increased amount of cholesterol in blood that leads to heart disease. In the past several years, …
A novel biomarker called ADMA/SDMA is an independent predictor of heart attack risk and may also identify patients with diabetes, pre-diabetes or kidney disease, according to recent peer-reviewed studies. The ADMA/SDMA biomarker blood test, now available through Cleveland HeartLab (CHL), measures levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA). Elevated levels of these biomarkers can signal damage to the …
Intriguing new research is helping solve the mystery of why some seemingly healthy people suffer heart attacks and other cardiovascular events, despite lacking any of the traditional risk factors. Indeed, if the five leading cardiovascular threats–smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity–were entirely eliminated, only half of deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) would be prevented, according …
Used as a natural “medicine” for thousands of years, certain herbs and spices really do have amazing health benefits, including fighting chronic inflammation, which has been linked to a wide range of conditions, from heart disease to diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer, according to new studies. Here’s a look at four delicious seasonings that rank as anti-inflammatory standouts. Curcumin: The …
Survivors of heart attacks and other acute coronary events are up to 61 percent more likely to suffer repeat events if they have high fasting triglycerides, according to new research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). The investigators examined outcomes in two studies of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS): sudden blockage of blood flow …
Every day, about 2,150 Americans die from heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD)–one every 40 seconds, according to “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics–2015 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association.” CVD remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined. These are frightening statistics. Cleveland …
May marks National High Blood Pressure Education Month, dedicated to raising awareness of a disorder that claims more lives each year than obesity, pre-diabetes and high cholesterol combined, accounting for about 1,000 deaths a day in the US, according to a 2015 paper published in Journal of Human Hypertension. In most countries, more than 80 percent of adults have blood …
A new peer-reviewed study model published in the Journal of Medical Economics, suggests that thousands of heart attacks and strokes could be avoided–and millions of dollars in healthcare costs saved–by using inflammation testing to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment. The study model analyzed the clinical and financial impact of adding Cleveland HeartLab’s (CHL) inflammation testing to standard cholesterol screening. …
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and cancer have shared risk factors, including systemic inflammation, University of Colorado Cancer Center investigator Tim Byers, MD, MPH reported at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2015. For example, says Dr. Byers, “Obesity leads to a chronic inflammatory state and circulating growth factors that have adverse effects on the heart, and can also …
It sounds too good to be true, but a variety of tasty treats – including nuts, berries, and even dark chocolate – help protect against cardiovascular disease, according to new research. Here is a look at some of the latest discoveries about which foods are the most beneficial. Peanuts may help prevent heart disease. Eating peanuts may protect against fatal cardiovascular …
Strenuous daily exercise may actually raise risk for heart disease, stroke and blood clots, while moderate physical activity a few times a week lowers it substantially, according to a new study of 1.1 million women published in Circulation. Not only did the study pinpoint exactly how hard and how often women should work out to get the best protection against …
The cardiovascular effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) vary depending on the age at which women begin taking it after menopause, according to a new systematic review published in The Cochrane Library. The researchers analyzed 19 randomized clinical trials involving 40,410 women, with treatment times ranging from seven months to more than ten years. Overall, the review found that HRT …
Embracing positive emotions–from optimism and gratitude to love, laughter and other joyful experiences–has been shown to dramatically reduce heart attack and stroke risk, and could even add years to your life, new research suggests. In fact, the most optimistic people are twice as likely to have ideal cardiovascular health, compared to those who are pessimistic, according to a study of …
Getting enough vitamin D could add years to your life, since people with the lowest levels of the sunshine vitamin may have a 57 percent higher risk of early death from both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all causes combined, compared to those with the highest levels, according to a meta-analysis published in British Medical Journal. Despite these potential dangers, up …
In advice that many American have taken to heart, Hippocrates wrote, “Let food be thy medicine.” In fact, diets to reduce chronic inflammation–which is linked to disorders ranging from heart attacks and strokes to type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer–have become a health craze. However, there’s debate about which eating plan–and foods–offers the greatest cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits. …
Romance, marriage and even hugs can have surprising cardiovascular benefits, studies show. For example, couples who attempt heart-healthy lifestyle changes together are up to 11 times more likely to succeed than people who try changes on their own, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The study examined data from 3,722 married or cohabiting couples aged 50 …
Although aspirin is one of the most extensively studied drugs in medical history, researchers continue to make new discoveries about its risks and benefits for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD), which kills 2,150 American a day, one every 40 seconds. Also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), aspirin’s origins date back to 2000 BC, with references to medicines made from salicylate-rich plants …
In a medical version of the “unified field” theory in physics, many scientists now believe that most—or perhaps all—chronic diseases may have the same trigger: inflammation. Studies have linked this fiery process to a wide range of disorders, from heart attacks and strokes to type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic pain, and even cancer. Here is a look at six …
Following six healthy lifestyle habits may reduce women’s risk for heart disease by 92 percent, compared to women with none of these habits, a new study published in Journal of American College of Cardiology suggests. Researchers from Harvard and other centers tracked 88,940 women whose ages were 27 to 44 at baseline over a 20-year period. With February marking American …
The 2013 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) cholesterol guidelines sparked headlines and hot medical debate around the world, says Marc Penn, MD, PhD, FACC, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Cleveland HeartLab and Director of Research of Summa Cardiovascular Institute. “Nearly a year later, there’s still widespread confusion about what clinicians should do with such dramatically changed guidelines …
There’s no question that an excess of sugar in the American diet is one of many lifestyle contributors in the obesity epidemic. What’s most alarming is the growing link between excess sugar and abdominal fat, visceral fat, low HDL and elevated triglycerides, not to mention risk of heart disease and diabetes. Back in 2010, as a response to the growing …
