Causal link between BMI and ischemic heart disease strengthened in new study.

British researchers have found that for each 4 point increase in body mass index (BMI), the risk of ischemic heart disease increases by 52% when factoring in genetics. This evidence strengthens the causal link between increased BMI and heart disease. The authors suggested that the reason for this association is that higher BMI influences well-known intermediate risk factors like hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

PositiveTip: The evidence continues to grow--lowering your BMI to a healthy range will lower your risk of heart disease.

Fried foods may not necessarily be hard on the heart.

Spainish researchers report from a prospective study of more than 40,000 adults that the frequent use of fried-foods did not increase the risk of coronary heart disease. This may be surprising because frying is thought to be an unhealthy way of preparing food. Olive oil (followed by sunflower oil) was the primary source of oil used, and it is less prone to degredation during frying. Spanish fried foods tended to be home-cooked and not high in salt. Also, the oil used for frying tended not to be reused. Study results apply only to those on a traditional Mediterranean diet which is higher in fruits, vegetables and whole grains--and healthy oils.

Observational data suggests chocolate may protect cardiovascular system.

A meta-analysis of seven observational studies with 115,000 adult participants compared the lowest level of chocolate consumption with the highest intakes. Those eating the most had nearly a one-third decrease in risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. The authors caution that most forms of chocolate contain high amounts of fat and sugar, and more esperimental research is necessary to prove causation.

PositiveTip: Think twice before you indulge in your favorite chocolates "for your hearts sake". Most forms of these products are very high in calories!

Whole grain cereal foods lowers the risk of chronic disease and helps weight control.

There is consistent scientific evidence that whole grain foods substantially lower the risk of CHD, diabetes, and cancer and help in weight management and digestive health. Working together macro- and micronutrients and phytonutrients present in whole grains contribute to their beneficial effects.

PositiveTip: Regularly incorporate 3-4 whole grain foods into your diet every day.

Long work hours may significantly raise risk for heart disease.

Examining a group of some 7000 low-risk British civil servants, researchers found that long work hours make the risk of heart disease higher. After adjusting for their Framingham risk score, those who worked 11 or more hours per day had a 67% increased risk for coronary disease compared to those who worked the normal 7-8 hours. The authors suggest "further testing is needed."

PositiveTip: Are you working long hours? Perhaps you need to cut back a bit for your heart's sake.

Air filtration shown to reduce inflammatory factors.

Canadian researchers have found that the use of high-efficiency portable air (HEPA) filters modestly improved the function of human endothelial cells and lowered C-reactive protein concentrations. Both these results potentially could improve heart health. The study was done in a small town heavily affected by wood-burning particulates. Authors suggest that their findings are very subtle, but might indicate serious effects over the long term.

PositiveTip: Breathing clean air is important, and avoiding tobacco smoke is the best way of cleaning up what you breathe.

Working overtime is linked with a significant increase in heart disease risk.

After following 6000 British male and female civil servants who were free of coronary heart disease (CHD) at the beginning of the study for about 11 years, investigators report that those who worked 3-4 extra hours per day faced a 60% increase in risk of heart disease, compared to those who didn't work any overtime. No increased risk was seen in those who worked only 1-2 hours of overtime.

PositiveTip: Maintaining work-life balance is vital to both short-term and long-term wellness and longevity.

Preventing obesity in the early years of life is vital to promoting longevity.

A research team has followed almost 5000 non-diabetic children for almost 25 years to assess the impact of overweight/obesity on premature death in adulthood. Those who were in the top quarter of body mass index (BMI) when children had 2.3 times the risk of death before age 55 than those in the lowest quarter of BMI. Interestingly, cholesterol levels in childhood showed no association with early death.

PositiveTip: Preventing obesity in the early years will improve the quality and longevity of the later years of life.

Modest reductions in dietary salt could save 92,000 lives per year and save $24 billion!

Dietary salt intake in the U.S. in on the rise, in spite of more and more evidence linking salt intake to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Reducing salt intake by a modest 3 grams (1/2 teaspoon) per day per person is projected to annually reduce new cases of coronary heart disease by up to 120,000, stroke by up to 66,000, and heart attacks by up to 99,000. This in turn could save up to $24 billion each year in health care costs.

PositiveTip: The majority of dietary salt in the U.S. comes from processed foods. Stop subtracting years from your life by cutting back on these foods.

Beware of smokeless tobacco products. They are hazardous to your health!

The recent growing popularity of smokeless tobacco products has been fueled by popular claims that they are safer than cigarettes. In a new meta-analysis of eleven observational studies researchers looked to see if smokeless tobacco users had elevated risk for heart attacks and stroke. Compared with nonusers, ever-users of these products had significantly elevated risk for fatal heart attacks (13% higher) and fatal strokes (40% higher).

PositiveTip: Don't fool yourself into thinking that smokeless tobacco products are safer. The sooner you quit the healthier you will be!