Harvard Heart Letter articles from December 2003

Harvard Heart Letter archives from December 2003

Choose the statin that's right for you.
December 1, 2003... With a new cholesterol-lowering statin vying for your attention, keep in mind that which one you take isn't nearly as important as whether you take it every day and how you help it do its work. You'll probably be seeing more orange and...

10 steps for coping with a chronic condition.
December 1, 2003... It pays to organize your approach to heart disease or any chronic medical problem. Dealing with the pain and aggravation of a broken bone or burst appendix isn't easy. But at least there's an end in sight. Once the bone or belly heals,...

Are you getting enough magnesium?
December 1, 2003... Low levels of this key mineral may cause or worsen some heart problems. In matters of the heart, magnesium maintains an air of mystery. The heart and blood vessels need this mineral to stay healthy and work efficiently. There's tantalizing...

Don't fade away with heart failure.
December 1, 2003... Changes wrought by heart failure can attack your appetite and whittle away your weight. Some simple steps can help. Losing weight is part of the prescription for treating or controlling many heart-related diseases. For some people with...

Ask the Doctor - Should I worry about my ST segment?
December 1, 2003... Q I am a fit and healthy 42-year-old man. So I was disturbed when my latest electrocardiogram said I had "ST elevation consistent with early repolarization." I know from reading the Heart Letter that ST elevation can mean a heart attack,...

Ask the Doctor - Does roasting nuts change their nutritional value?(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Q Instead of nibbling on chips or crackers, I usually snack on nuts. I'm on a low-salt diet for high blood pressure, so I buy raw nuts at the store and roast them at home. Does this affect their fat or vitamin content? A Not really -...