Your Best Heart Health

How Weight is Related to Cardiovascular Disease

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:00:19 GMT

The risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) delineated by the National Cholesterol Education Program are most often used in making decisions on how to treat high blood levels of total and LDL

Cardiovascular Disease and Medication-Induced Diabetes

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:05:06 GMT

A class of drugs called thiazides, a diuretic, is recommended as the first choice of treatment for high blood pressure (hypertension).

Women and Heart Disease

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:16:00 GMT

For many years it has been assumed that loss of the protective effects of estrogen was responsible for the greater risk of heart attacks and dying in postmenopausal women.

Who Needs to Take Pitavastatin?

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Sat, 05 May 2012 13:09:49 GMT

Even though six highly effective statins were already on the market, the FDA approved a seventh statin, pitavastatin (Livalo) in 2009.

Angioplasty for Chronic Stable Angina?

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:45:01 GMT

Angioplasty is a common procedure done to help widen narrowed arteries—and it also can help with the pain of chronic stable angina.

Angioplasty: Catheter Insertion Area Makes a Difference

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:34:21 GMT

The standard approach for an angioplasty procedure in the U.S. inserts a tube (catheter) into the femoral artery in the groin. But the radial artery in the arm is also used in some cases. With either method the catheter is threaded into a coronary...

Heart Transplant Survival Factors

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:47:29 GMT

Great enthusiasm and high hopes followed the first heart transplant carried out in South Africa in 1967.

Measure Blood Pressure in Both Arms

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:52:08 GMT

Last week my cardiologist measured the blood pressure in both of my arms. I was surprised because no doctor had ever done that before. But this is actually recommended procedure, espciall

Viagra and Heart Treatment

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:11:08 GMT

In a surprise finding in a recent research study, the active ingredient in Viagra (sildenafil) was found to help cardiac patients with stiffened heart walls, a condition that manifests as diastolic

NSAIDs Can Increase Heart Disease Risk

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:58:35 GMT

The NSAIDs were not considered a risk factor for causing CVD.

Unstable Angina also Requires Immediate Attention

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Recurring chest pain, or angina, is a common symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, its characteristic pain may recur in a predictable manner for many years without the occurrence o

Cholesterol Screening Recommended for Children

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:41:45 GMT

Complications of atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries, includes heart attacks and strokes, a major cause of disability and death in the U.S.

Statins Increase the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:50:07 GMT

A new finding shows that for postmenopausal women taking cholesterol-lowering statins, the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes nearly doubles over a 12-year period.

Exercise and Your Heart Attack Risk

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:50:27 GMT

Most people know to check with their doctor before starting a vigorous exercise program after the age of 45.

Prostate Cancer Screening and Men Over 75

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:07:23 GMT

You may have read in the news the latest prostate cancer screening recommendation issued by the United States Preventive Servi

A Rise in Your Resting Heart Rate: Why Worry?

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:20:55 GMT

It’s been known for more than 25 years that a high resting heart rate is associated with an increased risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD).

Cardiac Implants and MRI Safety

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:24:27 GMT

Because of safety concerns, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are avoided in most of the 2 million people in the U.S. who have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator (ICD).

Study: Two Statin Drugs both Reverse Plaques

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:03:35 GMT

A buildup of plaques in the arteries leads to cardiovascular disease, which continues to be a leading cause of death in the U.S.

Generic Approved for Cholesterol Lowering Drug

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:20:54 GMT

Generic medicines offer lower-priced alternatives to name-brand drugs, which are often the only available drug on the market for specific conditions for years after their introduction. <

Reasons to Stop Smoking in 2012

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:19:10 GMT

Sure it’s hard to stop smoking, but it's worth the effort to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and related health problems. You may realize that smoking puts you at high risk for

Statins and Triglyceride-lowering Drugs

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:21:51 GMT

It's concerning to know that levels of triglycerides, another fat in the bloodstream, are elevated in about 30 percent of all Americans.

Nonemergency Angioplasty May Become Available at More Hospitals

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:20:08 GMT

Many hospitals carry out emergency angioplasties to open a blocked coronary artery following a heart attack.

Does High HDL Reduce the Risk of a Heart Attack?

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:21:12 GMT

Studies have clearly shown that low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-Ch)—known as the "good" cholesterol—are associated with a greater risk of coronary heart disease and he

A New Drug to Prevent Recurrent Heart Attacks

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:23:59 GMT

Published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine were the promising results of a study about a drug that can help prevent deaths from cardiovascular events when people have

Saw Palmetto: No Relief for Urinary Tract Symptoms

Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 16:12:24 GMT

A new research study found that large doses of saw palmetto extract were no better than a placebo for improving the symptoms of an enlarged prostrate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH).