Heart Attack or Heartburn? Nine Ways to Tell
By Renee Despres, EhealthMD Contributor
April 8th 2013
You’ve just finished a not-so-lovely dinner of hamburgers and French fries when the chest pain strikes. How do you know if the chest pain is a symptom of a heart attack -- or indigestion? Do you know the signs of heartburn versus the signs of heart attack?
Need to Know
Heart attack can be sudden and dramatic. When the heart comes to a screeching halt, it is called sudden cardiac arrest.
Potassium-Rich Foods Help Lower Blood Pressure
Submitted by Renee Despres on Fri, 01/25/2013 - 22:59Last updated on January 28th 2013
Eat more potassium to lower your blood pressure.
Most people know that reducing salt intake can lower blood pressure. But if you're concerned about high blood pressure, it's equally important to increase your consumption of potassium-rich foods such as yogurt, bananas, strawberries, sweet and white potatoes, and beans.
Beta-Blockers Don’t Block Heart Attacks or Stroke
By Renee Despres, EhealthMD Contributor
October 9th 2012
Beta-blockers, a type of drug frequently prescribed for people with heart disease, may not reduce the risk of a second heart attack, death, or stroke in people with coronary artery disease (CAD). In people with risk factors for heart disease, beta-blockers may increase the risk of such events, according to findings from a recent large observational study conducted by a team of investigators from the Cardiac and Vascular Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center.
Big Changes in Blood Pressure Could Spell Big Trouble
Submitted by Renee Despres on Sun, 06/10/2012 - 08:29Last updated on June 15th 2012
Wide fluctuations in blood pressure may indicate an increased risk of stroke, suggests a study reported in the Archives of Neurology in November, 2011.
For the study, researchers followed 686 people over two years. None of the participants had dementia. Each participant visited the doctor three times during the study period; blood pressure was measured at each visit.
Participants were divided into four groups, based on their blood pressure:
Control Your Salt Shaker to Control High Blood Pressure
Submitted by Renee Despres on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 07:25Last updated on June 15th 2012
Controlling your salt shaker could help you prevent or control high blood pressure. You can cut your risk of developing high blood pressure -- or help lower your blood pressure if it's already high -- by reducing the salt in your diet. In most people, blood pressure begins to decrease soon after sodium (salt) intake is reduced.
About 90 percent of children and adults in the United States eat too much sodium (salt). The average American consumes 3,300 mg of sodium per day, more than twice the recommended limit for most adults.
Excess Vitamin D Linked to Heart Problems
By Renee Despres, EhealthMD Contributor
January 8th 2012
Vitamin D levels higher than the low end of normal do not provide any benefits and may actually increase the risk of heart attack and other heart problems, according to new research from a Johns Hopkins University research team.
Managing Stress May Reduce Heart Problems
Submitted by Renee Despres on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 14:10Last updated on June 15th 2012
Concerned about a heart problem?
Stress-management programs have been shown to reduce the risk of heart problems, including heart attack, by up to 75 percent in people with heart disease.
Need help managing stress? Visit our stress resources.
Test Your Stroke IQ
Last updated on March 11th 2013
| Questions: | 11 |
| Available: | Always |
| Pass rate: | 75 % |
| Backwards navigation: | Allowed |