Living Well Blog

(BPT) - Many Americans consider themselves well-informed and attentive when it comes to their health. That’s why it's so puzzling that many remain unfazed by the threat of heart disease. That was among the findings of the MDVIP Heart Attack IQ Survey, a national study showing Americans are more… See more

It has become clear to me, after more than 35 years of medical practice, that the traditional approach to cardiovascular disease is missing the boat. Just look at these dismal statistics:Heart disease has been the No. 1 cause of death in this country since 1900.Somebody has a heart attack every 40… See more

Alan Reisinger, MD, Baltimore, MD:
There are some unfortunately well entrenched myths about heart disease.Be Strong-Hearted Inspiration Center… See more

Exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, managing weight, controlling stress and avoiding tobacco can help prevent heart attacks and strokes. But sometimes genetics trump even the healthiest of lifestyles. You can do everything right and still be diagnosed with coronary artery… See more

Low levels of estrogen and testosterone play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among Americans.The link is to the most common type of heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD develops when cholesterol and other substances accumulate along… See more

Have you seen the recent study on low-dose aspirins? It’s gotten a lot of media attention because it contradicts conventional wisdom that low-dose aspirin therapy helps prevent heart attacks. For years, doctors have recommended daily low-dose aspirin therapy for patients with or at risk for… See more

Here’s one more reason to give up smoking: brain calcifications. If you smoke or have diabetes, you have an increased risk of developing calcifications in the hippocampus, the portion of the brain responsible for memory, emotions and… See more

More than one-third of Americans take multivitamins, despite little evidence that they help (there’s little evidence they cause harm either). And now a new study says multivitamins don’t promote cardiovascular health.… See more

As a family physician in Alexandria, Virginia, I’m routinely asked by patients, “What should I eat to lower my cholesterol?”It’s an important question. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance in all your cells. When you have too much of it, it can stick to the lining of your blood vessels, limit… See more

The connection between cardiovascular disease risk and obesity is not new. But a recent study has better defined that risk based on body mass index (BMI). Being obese, measured as a BMI of 30 or greater, increases your risk for cardiovascular disease and a shorter lifespan, according to a new… See more