Though heart disease was recently "dethroned" as the leading cause of death in the United States (cancer now gets that title), it still represents a major hurdle to Americans' health.
Contrary to popular belief, high cholesterol is not the major cause of heart disease. Fortunately, we are moving slowly away from the original diet-heart hypothesis that advocated low-fat diets for a healthy heart.
The real key to preventing heart disease is to use a combined approach, one that treats all facets of your physical and emotional health. It's extremely important to eat real foods based on your metabolic type (to determine whether a low-fat, high-fat or other diet is best for you) and to get out and exercise--regularly and intensely enough. Further, you must address stress and your emotions, as too much stress and negative emotions will contribute significantly to this disease.
Please read through the links below for a thorough understanding of heart disease, from prevention to diagnosis and in between. Heart disease is still the #2 cause of death in the United States--arm yourself with the knowledge you can find in the links below.
Is Your Diet Healthy for Your Heart?
Cholesterol is NOT the Cause of Heart Disease
Yes, this is a startling statement, but it is true. Learn why from one of the leading alternative physicians in the country. A MUST read if you believe you have cholesterol problems.
Off and On Dieting May Increase Heart Disease Risk
Habitual dieters who constantly lose weight and then gain it back appear to have lower levels of HDL (good) cholesterol in their blood, putting them at increased risk for heart disease.
Another Reason Why Eggs Actually Lower the Risk of Heart Disease
Although folic acid and, to a lesser extent, vitamins B6 and B12, are known to be able to reduce levels of homocysteine, another nutrient--betaine, found mostly in eggs and liver--also has this capability.
Diet and Lifestyle More Important Than Medication in Preventing Heart Disease
This study found a dramatic reduction in heart disease in women who practiced several dietary and lifestyle behaviors. Although not all of these supposed risk-reducing behaviors are ones that I would agree with, this study shows the tremendous impact that these drug-free approaches can have.
New Dietary Guidelines to Prevent Heart Disease
A pair of Harvard researchers presented a new take on the dietary guidelines to prevent heart disease. A low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet may not be 'ideal' after all.
Antioxidant Lutein Decreases Heart Disease
Lutein, an antioxidant nutrient already linked to eye health, may help prevent the hardening and narrowing of arteries that can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Soy Can Increase Heart Disease Risk
Soy, already bad for your health, has also been proven to lead to a higher likelihood of heart disease.
Soy No Help to Women With Heart Disease Prevention
New studies confirm soy's hype as it fails to prove earlier beliefs that soy phytoestrogens reduce heart disease in women.
Moderate-Fat Diet Superior to Low-Fat Diet for Heart Disease
A moderate-fat diet reduced dieters' cardiovascular risk better than a low-fat diet.
Optimal Diets to Prevent Heart Disease
A recent comprehensive JAMA article from Harvard reviews recent medical literature and documents what helps to prevent heart disease.
Pomegranate Juice Fights Heart Disease
A tasty new way to reduce plaque buildup in your arteries?
Does Cranberry Juice Fight Heart Disease?
Researchers want us to believe that drinking three glasses of cranberry juice a day will reduce your risk of heart disease. Learn why this might not be true.
Why Red Wine May Help Your Heart
New evidence that supports the mild consumption of red wine to help the heart.
Vitamin D Decreases Heart Disease Death Risk
Don't miss this one. It is one of the easiest ways to reduce your chance of dying from one of the highest risks of death: heart disease.
Saturated Fats Prevent Coronary Artery Disease
Controversy has surrounded the idea that saturated fats cause heart disease; however, studies indicated that diets high in these fats might actually BENEFIT postmenopausal women. Learn the truth behind the "saturated fat myth" and understand how to discern if consuming these fats is good for YOUR health.
Protect Yourself From Heart Disease With Simple Lifestyle Changes
Heart disease doesn't have to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Learn the steps it takes to minimize your risk and strengthen your heart health.
Ginger Lowers Cholesterol, Prevents LDL Oxidation and Slows Atherosclerosis
Researchers have found that ginger extract can have dramatic effects of cardiovascular health.
Stress and Emotions: Major Players in Heart Disease Risk
Terror Fears Raise Heart Disease
Israeli women who have an intense fear of terrorism appear to have higher levels of a marker of blood vessel inflammation, which is linked to a potential risk of heart disease. Learn the most effective method for releasing your fears before they start taking control of your health.
Stress Management May Help Heart Disease Patients
Learn how stress management can play a part in helping heart disease patients.
Unhappy Marriages May Cause Heart Disease in Women
An unhappy marriage can break a woman's heart, figuratively and literally.
Stressful Work Tied to Heart Disease Death Risk
People who put much more into their jobs than they get back are more likely to die of heart disease than those who are fulfilled and satisfied by their work.
Depression, Even if Treated, Increases Your Heart Disease Risk
Depression and heart disease are linked through impaired blood vessel function. This link may explain why the risk of heart disease is doubled in people with depression.
Mantras and Saying the Rosary May Help the Heart
Read how reciting the Rosary or engaging in a yoga mantra can have great cardiovascular benefits for the heart.
Women With 'Type A' Personalities Have Higher Heart Disease Risk
Personality plays a role in heart disease risk, and women who are angry, anxious or depressed may be at an increased risk. Find out how stress management techniques may lower your risk.
Most Common Cause of Heart Attacks
There is another risk factor of heart attack that is an even stronger predictor of an upcoming event than smoking or high cholesterol: mental stress. Don't let mental stress take a toll on your health, find out my favorite method for combating stress and other negative emotions.
Exercise: The Best "Drug" You Can Give Your Heart
How Can You Treat Cancer, Diabetes and Heart Disease? Run From It!
Learn how to use exercise to improve your body function, help balance metabolic activity and significantly boost immunity, helping to prevent a host of diseases including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. And the best part is, you can get benefits in as little as 10 minutes.
Even Light Exercise Can Decrease a Woman's Risk for Heart Disease
Women who spend as little as one hour walking each week can cut their risk of heart disease in half.
The Ultimate Drug For Heart Disease
New research confirms that this is one of the most powerful interventions to not only treat, but prevent nearly every type of cardiovascular disease.
10-Minute Exercise Schedule Good for Your Heart
Setting aside just 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day could improve your cardiovascular health.
Omega-3: The Not-so-Secret Weapon to Great Heart Health
How Fish Oil Protects Your Heart
Find out why consuming fish oil (high in omega-3 fats) is beneficial to your heart health and learn which source of fish is proven to be mercury-free and safe to eat.
Fish Fat in Infant Formula Cuts Heart Disease in Later Life
Babies who are breastfed or fed formula with fatty acids DHA and AA added may have a reduced risk of heart disease as adults.
More Evidence That Fish Oil Helps Heart Disease
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oils, protect against heart disease and stroke by stopping the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries. It is crucial to your health to make sure you are getting enough omega-3 fats in your diet.
Fish Oil Reduces Heart Disease: The Evidence Increases
More studies confirm the health benefits of omega-3 fats. Find out why, in terms of its potential impact on health in the Western world, the omega-3 story may someday be viewed as one of the most important in the history of modern nutritional science.
More Support for Fish Oil for Heart Disease
Further evidence has proven that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids can protect against coronary heart disease. Read how fish oil can decrease your risk of heart disease.
Not Any Old Fish Food Will Reduce Heart Attacks
The type of fish meal you consume, whether it be a fried fish sandwich or broiled fish, will affect the cardiac benefits received. Find out what you can do to ensure you receive the health benefits of fish without the health risks of mercury contamination.
Cardiovascular Benefits of Omega-3 Fats
The latest updates on omega-3 fats to reduce your risk of heart disease. If you have high triglycerides this is a must-read.
Dietary Fats and the Cause of Heart Disease
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils can be your ticket for a healthy heart, learn why.
Fish Oil Cuts Risk of Sudden Death
Two independent studies in two of the largest medical journals prove that fish oil is one of the major solutions for one of the greatest causes of death.
What's the Word on Aspirin? Is it Good for Your Heart or Not?
Aspirin Not Recommended for Heart Disease Anymore
Read how there is no support to the claim that aspirin can help prevent heart disease, and also that aspirin consumption may also have other adverse effects.
What is Better Than an Aspirin a Day for Heart Disease Prevention?
Aside from not working, aspirin is fraught with side effects. Find out a natural food alternative.
Is Aspirin Really Good for Heart Disease?
An editorial states that aspirin is useful for treating a variety of illnesses including heart disease and Alzheimer's, but aspirin is not the answer for heart disease. Find out one simple thing you can do to greatly reduce your risk of heart disease.
Reconsider Taking Aspirin to Lower Your Heart Disease Risk
There are better options than aspirin to reduce your risk of heart disease.
Baby Aspirin Recommended for Heart
This article claims that even a small dosage of aspirin can help make a difference in the prevention of heart disease. But recent findings contradict this.
The Vitamin E Controversy
Vitamin E Reduces Heart Disease
The antioxidant vitamin E may help reduce high levels of the inflammation-causing proteins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-6, which may contribute to heart disease.
Does Vitamin E Protect Against Heart Disease or Not?
Past studies suggest vitamin E may protect against heart attack, but now researchers are not so sure. Find out why the type of vitamin E may make a big difference.
Vitamin E Levels Linked to Early Artery Disease
Women who don't get enough vitamin E in their diets are at an increased risk for arterial disease. Omega-3 fat intake, however, may be more significant factor in determining risk.
Vitamin E May Reduce Heart Disease in Diabetics
High doses of this vitamin were shown to provide benefit to diabetic patients, not only through its well-known antioxidant properties, but also by acting as an anti-inflammatory agent as well. Just make sure that you use the correct type.
Hormone Replacement and Your Heart
Hormone Replacement Does Not Reduce Heart Disease
Standard hormone replacement therapy (HRT), so often used in menopausal and post-menopausal women, does not protect against heart disease after all.
Now it is Official: Estrogen Does Not Benefit Women's Hearts
The American Heart Association is now advising doctors to avoid considering Hormone Replacement Therapy in women who have a history of heart disease. This comes after a study showing that HRT raises the risk of recurring heart disease.
Drugs a Risky Proposition for Your Heart
Impotence Drug May Promote Heart Attacks
A well-known impotence drug increases the blood's stickiness, which may lead to an increased risk of heart attack. I can't say the name of this drug or spam filters will block the e-mail, but find out why you should avoid it and discover some practical alternatives.
Cholesterol Drugs Actually Cause Heart Disease
Cholesterol drugs known as statins are prescribed for millions of people even though they lead to a life-threatening deficiency of CoQ10, which can actually cause heart failure.
A Link Between the Smallpox Vaccine and Death From Heart Disease?
There may be a link between death from cardiovascular disease and the smallpox vaccine.
Smallpox Vaccines and Heart Disease, No "Coincidence"
Adverse cardiac events have been reported among smallpox vaccine recipients. Get the latest update on smallpox in response to the connection between smallpox vaccines and heart disease.
New Six-in-One Pill Proposed to Reduce Heart Disease
A six-in-one pill called the Polypill has been proposed by researchers to cut heart disease risk. Learn why a pill is not the answer for reducing your risk of heart disease and find out what is.
Premarin Does Not Reduce Heart Disease or Alzheimers
For two decades, doctors have recommended Premarin for menopausal women to protect their hearts, but now it appears the hormone does not seem to help.
Osteoporosis Drug Evista Now Being Promoted for Heart Disease
My letter on an option to traditional approaches for osteoporosis.
Calcium Channel Blockers Can Actually Cause Heart Disease
Taking calcium channel blockers can double a women's risk of dying from heart disease. Read on and learn how to lower high blood pressure safely with these proven methods.
Beta-Blocker May Help Heart Disease
Is this drug the answer for heart disease?
Heart Disease Diagnosis and Other Interesting Tips
Bacterial Infections Linked to Heart Disease and Stroke
Common, chronic bacterial infections, including lung and urinary tract infections, as well as gum disease, may increase the risk of atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries that could lead to heart attack.
High Uric Acid Linked to Heart Disease Deaths
Read how this simple, inexpensive test has been shown to be highly predictive of your risk for heart disease, and more importantly, how you can normalize it.
New Test for Heart Disease Diagnosis
Read about an amazing new test for heart disease that is far less intrusive than current traditional means.
Linus Pauling's Unified Theory and Therapy for Heart Disease
In 1991, Linus Pauling invented a non-prescription cure for heart disease. He claimed that with the use of a specific "mega-nutrient" therapy heart disease can be controlled and even cured.
Top Blood Pressure Number Key For Gauging Heart Disease Risk
Keeping your systolic blood pressure below 140 is a great goal, but how do you reach it?
Breastfeeding Protects Baby From Heart Disease
Breastfeeding your child could decrease their risk of having a heart attack or stroke later on in life.
Lipoprotein(a) Increases Heart Disease Risk
Read about what you can do to lower your levels or keep them from going up.
Baldness in Men Reflects Higher Heart Disease Risk
Men with male pattern baldness -- hair loss mainly affecting the vertex or crown of the head -- face higher risks of heart attack, chest pain, and coronary artery problems.
Another Marker to See if You are at Risk for Heart Disease
There may be a far more accurate method of testing for heart disease, one that is even more effective than testing for overall obesity.
20% of Heart Attacks go Undetected -- How Can You Check Your Risk?
About one-fifth of heart attacks among middle-aged and older adults may go unrecognized, according to new estimates. Find out what are the best tests to predict your risk of heart disease. This is a must-read.
Women Dissatisfied With Medical Care for Heart Disease
Heart disease kills more women than men and Mayo Clinic researchers have confirmed that the traditional medical system is a major disappointment for most women with this disease.
Silent Heart Attacks, Sudden Cardiac Deaths Common For RA Patients
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis then you may also be suffering from silent, frequently unrecognized heart attacks.
Getting Tested for CRP May Save Your Life
CRP, a protein that measures inflammation, has been linked to heart disease. Find out why this protein can be an indicator of impaired heart health and learn how you can maintain a healthy CRP level.
Heart Disease Linked to Mercury-Contaminated Fish
I have warned for some time now to avoid fish unless you are certain that it is low in mercury. A new study may confirm one of the health risks associated with eating contaminated fish.
Mercury Exposure as Potent as Smoking to Heart Disease Risk
Further support to stop eating fish and use far less expensive fish oil supplements to achieve all the benefits of omega-3 oils.