Air Pollution Risks

Using satellite data and ground measurements, researchers in New England have shown that the elderly are at increased risk for hospitalization after long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution. For each 10 µg/m3 increase in long-term exposure to particulates measuring <2.5 microns, there was a 3.12% increase in cardiovascular disease, 3.49% increase in stroke, and 6.33%…

Tell a Friend about Women and Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women who live in the U.S., and stroke is the number three cause. February is American Heart Month and the Preventitive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) has launched a campaign, Tell A Friend. Women should know their numbers: cholesterol level, blood pressure, BMI, blood sugar, and…

Dietary Antioxidants Appear to Cut Stroke Risk

The higher the intake of antioxidants in Swedish women, the lower the chance of stroke. Women with no history of cardiovascular disease at baseline showed a 17% lower risk of stroke when they consumed the highest amounts antioxidant-rich foods compared with the lowest amounts. In women with cardiovascular disease, those consuming the most antioxidant foods…

High Blood Pressure in College Freshmen Predicts Later Risk

Men enrolling at Harvard between 1914 and 1952 who reported elevated systolic blood pressure their freshman year experienced a 20% greater risk for coronary heart disease later in life. Those diagnosed with hypertension in middle age had twice the risk of coronary deaths and stroke compared to those with normal blood pressures.PositiveTip: Have you had…

Is Chocolate Heart-Healthy?

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…

Physical Inactivity and Risk of Serious Disease

After analysing the lifestyle habit data in several large studies, researchers have found that those who were physically inactive doubled their risk of ischemic heart disease, experienced 72% increased risk of ischemic stroke, a 52% higher risk of breast cancer, and an 80% increase in colon cancer risk.PositiveTip: Exercise is a great way to reduce…

Strong Bones, but Weak Heart

A reanalysis of just over half of the women in the Women's Health Initiative Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation Study has found a modest increased risk of myocardial infarction and stoke in those taking calcium supplements with or without Vitamin D.These researchers also found no relation between the dose of supplements being taken, and cited evidence from…

Fewer Deadly Strokes in Cohesive Neighborhoods?

Using individual's perceptions of social cohesiveness in their neighborhoods, researchers found that the higher the neighborhood-level social cohesion the lower the risk of fatal strokes. The better the knowledge of, and interactions with the neighbors, the lower the risk of dying from a stroke. Strangely, social cohesiveness had no impact on the number of strokes,…

Does Road Noise Raise Stroke Risk?

Living in noisy environments appears to predict higher stroke risk, according to Danish researchers. Risk rose a significant 14% for every 10 dB increase in residential exposure to traffic noise and nearly doubled among those over 65 years old (possibly because it might disturb their sleep). These effects remained significant in this observational study even…

Diet Soda Linked to Strokes

Strokes are the number 3 cause of death in the United States, after heart attacks and cancer. Nearly 140,00 people die of strokes each year.Most strokes are caused by an artery plugged up with cholesterol deposits. Occasionally, a stroke is caused by a brain bleed from a cracked and leaking artery. Only rarely are strokes…