Heart Attack Risk Linked to Emotions
A study of over 12,000 individuals who had experienced their first myocardial infarction (MI) found being emotionally upset and engaging in intense physical activity may trigger an MI. This case-crossover study demonstrated that compared to the control period, the risk increased 2.31 times for extreme physical exertion, 2.44 times for anger and emotional upset, and…
Read MoreHealthy Lifestyle Can Prevent MI
Swedish investigators following 20,000 healthy men for 11 years found that each "low risk" lifestyle factor (healthy diet, no smoking, physically active, not overweight, and moderate alcohol use) was independently associated with a lower risk for myocardial infarction (MI). Those with all five healthier lifestyle factors experienced an 86% lower risk. Sadly, less than 1% of the…
Read MoreMultivitamin Supplements No Benefit to CVD Risk
A randomized controlled study involving almost 15,000 male physicians over a median period of 11 years found no difference between those taking commercial daily multivitamins and the placebo group. PositiveTip: Choosing foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, is still the best way of meeting nutrient needs.
Read MoreRoad Traffic Noise and Heart Attack Risk
Researchers in Denmark have found that chronic exposure to traffic noise may increase the risk of a heart attack--independent of air pollution levels. Although they were unable to establish this as a cause of heart attacks, they found that for every 10-decibel (dB) increase in traffic noise near home, the risk of having a heart-attack…
Read MoreCalcium Supplement Caution
German researchers have found that calcium supplements are associated with almost double the risk for a heart attack, compared to those who did not supplement. Nearly 24,000 residents aged 35 to 64 were followed for 11 years. Those who took calcium supplements had a 1.88 increase in risk for heart attack. Calcium from dietary sources…
Read MoreAvoid the CCU: Be Active!
Leisure time and on-the-job physical activity is associated with less likelihood of a hearrt attack. A 52 country case-control study involving more than 10,000 individuals has revealed, after controlling for confounding factors, that both light and moderate activity reduced the risk of acute mycardial infarction (MI) compared to sedentary individuals. Researchers also found that owning…
Read MoreK2, Synthetic Cannabis May Cause Teen Heart Attacks
Myocardial infaction is very rare in teens, but physicians are now reporting that K2, a designer drug made from a collection of herbs and spices treated with a sythetic cannabinoid, is causing insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle of teens with no previous health problems or family history. K2 gives a marijuana-like effect without…
Read MoreCalcium Supplements Have Excess Risks
There is evidence that supplemental calcium may hasten vascular calcification and can raise the risk of heart attacks in otherwise healthy older women. An analysis of 15 double-blind, randomized trials with more than 8000 participants taking at least 500 mg of calcium supplements each day or a placebo, has shown significantly higher rates of heart…
Read MoreNo Heart for Overtime Work
Working overtime is bad for your heart. The European Heart Journal recently reported an 11-year study following 6000 men and women who worked in the British Civil service. During the study there were 369 heart attacks in the group.
Read MoreWorking Too Much is Bad for Your Heart!
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.…
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