Heart Attack + Original Articles

Inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis may lead to pericarditis — a heart condition with symptoms similar to a heart attack. Inflammation that is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) doesn't only affect your joints; it targets internal organs as well, such as the heart. This can lead to a condition called pericarditis, which causes symptoms similar to a heart attack.

Here, simple ways to improve your numbers—no medication necessary. Understanding the role that cholesterol levels play in your heart health and taking steps to keep these levels under control can significantly reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that circulates in your bloodstream and in all the cells in your body.

People with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Here’s how to lower your risk. When you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) it's understandable that you would be more concerned with controlling pain and inflammation. However, you should also be aware of the strong link between heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. If you have RA, you're more likely to develop coronary heart disease, suffer unrecognized heart attacks and sudden cardiac death, according to the Mayo Clinic.

As with every other substance we consume, alcohol can be harmful in excess and beneficial in moderation, especially when it comes to heart health. Researchers first reported this correlation between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease as early as 1904 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But because alcoholism has been a long-standing problem in the United States, experts are reticent to wholeheartedly endorse raising a glass or two for your heart’s sake.

Embarking on a path to a new heart-healthy you may seem daunting, but patience, persistence, and the support of loved ones can help you through this difficult time. According to the American Heart Association, a heart attack can shave 14.2 years off the typical lifespan. But if you take the proper corrective and preventative steps after such a cardiac event, you can defy this rather grim prediction. Embarking upon...

The human genome was successfully mapped in April 2003, a relatively short time ago. In the wake of the map’s completion, we have learned much about the link between genes and disease, but research is still in a nascent stage—our genome is composed of 3 billion base pairs and 30,000 genes, after all. For years, scientists suspected that heart disease had a genetic component, making observations like people with a parent who developed coronary artery disease before the age of 55 faced a much greater risk of becoming afflicted with it themselves. Now the evidence written in our genes is coming to light on an almost daily basis.

These conditions often have the same symptoms of heart attacks. Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen limbs and ankles, dizziness—when presented in certain combinations, the symptoms of heart disease can be mistaken for other illnesses. Worse still, because women’s symptoms are slightly different than men’s (sometimes the disease can manifest itself in the fairer sex through discomfort in the neck or shoulder and nausea or vomiting), they stand a greater chance of having their heart disease initially misdiagnosed.

Whether you have a family history of heart disease or you’ve recently been diagnosed with it, you not only need to adopt a healthier lifestyle, you should also prepare yourself for any emergencies that might loom on the horizon. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the U.S.; in fact, according to the American Heart Association, 37 percent of those who suffer a heart attack will die within a year of its occurrence. But the sooner someone experiencing a cardiac event receives treatment, the better his or her chances of survival become.

When your total cholesterol level climbs above 240, it’s time to take action to decrease your risk for a stroke or a heart attack. Quitting smoking, engaging in aerobic exercise at least three times a week, and eating a diet high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables will all contribute to the maintenance of a healthy balance of good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL); if the former is 60 or above, it actually prevents heart disease, while a level below 100 for the latter is desirable for people who have a higher likelihood for developing heart disease.

Find out why women are at such a high risk for heart disease. Though men are still perceived to comprise the majority of heart disease sufferers, as women age, their heart attack risk starts to equal that of men's. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death among older women, with about twice as many dying of cardiovascular disease than all the cancers combined.

Find out what you can do to prevent the number one killer of American women. Heart disease should be a concern for every American. According to The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. However, among all U.S. women who die each year, one in four dies of heart disease.

Long known to help your digestive system, fiber is good for your heart health, too. Find out why, and how you can incorporate more of it in your diet. As the saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." And for those who have high cholesterol or high blood pressure,  this may very well be true. Apples are good sources of fiber, and experts believe that the more fiber you eat, the less likely you are to develop heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack.

Spice up your diet with these foods that you might not have known are good for your heart. By now, you probably know that salmon and blueberries are good for your heart. In fact, you're probably sick of hearing that salmon and blueberries are good for you. Fortunately, you can keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels low and still enjoy a more varied diet.

When is an “emergency” worthy of a trip to the emergency room? When it comes to children, this question is more easily answered. If a child becomes ill or falls and may have broken a bone, we tend to err on the side of caution. But what about us? The rules become blurry when an adult has food poisoning or twists an ankle.

When your total cholesterol level climbs above 240, it’s time to take action to decrease your risk for a stroke or a heart attack. Quitting smoking, engaging in aerobic exercise at least three times a week, and eating a diet high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables will all contribute to the maintenance of a healthy balance of good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL); if the former is 60 or above, it actually prevents heart disease, while a level below 100 for the latter is desirable for people who have a higher likelihood for developing heart disease.

Spice up your diet with these foods that you might not have known are good for your heart. By now, you probably know that salmon and blueberries are good for your heart. In fact, you're probably sick of hearing that salmon and blueberries are good for you. Fortunately, you can keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels low and still enjoy a more varied diet.

Read on to find out how stress can be a burden on your body. In the movies, traumatic news is enough to trigger a heart attack. On TV shows, a dramatic mother tells her rebellious teen son that he's going to give her a heart attack. As it turns out, these situations may not be too far from the truth. Research shows a direct link between stress and an unhealthy heart.

Poor diet and lack of exercise aren't the only factors that can damage your heart. Your stress levels also play a huge role. In the movies, traumatic news is enough to trigger a heart attack. On TV shows, a dramatic mother tells her rebellious teen son that he's going to give her a heart attack. As it turns out, these situations may not be too far from the truth. Research shows a direct link between stress and an unhealthy heart.

Learn what you can do to protect yourself from this debilitating health threat. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. And although many people survive these medical emergencies, the disease can have a devastating impact, not only on the survivor, but on everyone who cares about him or her.

Could you be sick and not know it? Some diseases can sneak up on you without a single warning sign or with symptoms so nonspecific that it may take your physician precious time to figure out what's ailing you. Since early detection often results in more effective treatment, illnesses that slip under your (and your doctor's) radar can be especially dangerous.

Not getting enough z's? You could be doing serious damage to your health. With a long list of to-dos and not enough hours in the day, you might be tempted to skimp on the amount of z's you get. Besides, you can sleep when you're dead, right? But, if you sleep less than six or seven hours a night, death might come sooner than you think.

When consumed in moderation, this age-old brew can impart a host of health benefits. One of the oldest and most consumed alcoholic beverages, beer has served many roles since it was first brewed nearly 7,000 years ago. It's been featured in religious ceremonies, praised in literature, and prized for its medicinal properties. What the ancients suspected about the health benefits of beer, modern-day science continues to prove.

High cholesterol puts you at a higher risk for serious health conditions, including heart attack and stroke. Here, a look at cholesterol by the numbers. Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body. This fat-like substance is an important component of cell membranes and a building block in the formation of certain hormones. Too much cholesterol in the blood, though, can cause fatty deposits to develop in blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries.

Heart disease is the nation's number one killer. Learn what you can do to prevent a heart attack. This year, 1.2 million Americans are expected to have a heart attack. Of those, about 452,000 will die, making coronary heart disease the nation's single leading cause of death, according to the American Heart Association. Heart disease can affect anyone, but certain factors put you at greater risk.

You might be tempted to try home cholesterol tests purchased from a pharmacy or online. But are they safe and accurate? When the heart's blood vessels become clogged with cholesterol, it sets the stage for a heart attack, and this year, nearly half a million Americans will die from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). What's more, due in part to rising obesity rates and the popularity of fast food, heart-attack victims are getting younger and younger.

While experts continue to debate the safety of Avandia, they urge type 2 diabetes patients to talk with their doctors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week issued a safety warning for the diabetes drug Avandia after a new study indicated a potentially significant increase in the risk of heart attack and heart-related deaths linked to taking the medicine. ...