Clinical Commentary
News on women’s health can be confusing to interpret. Our medical professionals periodically share their insights on what it can mean for you.
Cholesterol Levels Vary During Menstrual Cycle
Posted on November 3, 2010 by JoAnne Foody, MD
As a doctor, I often discuss how controlling your cholesterol levels are important to your health. Specifically, you should maintain healthy levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and reduce your levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol. You should also monitor your total cholesterol reading. These levels are determined via cholesterol tests.
Exercise: An Hour a Day Could Keep the Weight Away
Posted on July 30, 2010 by JoAnn Manson, MD, MPH, DrPH
We’ve been told to exercise to maintain a healthy weight – that exercise is a great way to become or be heart-healthy – ]but what does that mean? And more importantly, how much should we exercise?
Be Proactive: Check Your Resting Heart Rate
Posted on July 7, 2010 by Paula Johnson, MD, MPH
With heart disease being the number one cause of death of women in the United States, we should be especially aware
of circumstances…
Hormone Therapy and Heart Disease in Women
Posted on June 8, 2010 by JoAnn Manson, MD, MPH, DrPH
Menopause. It’s something all women go through (if they live long enough), and on average, it begins around age 51.
Heart Disease in African American Women
Posted on May 25, 2010 by Michelle Albert, MD, MPH
Did you know that African American women have the highest incidences of hypertension than any other single population among men and women?
Women, Wine, and Weight
Posted on May 7, 2010 by JoAnn Manson, MD, MPH, DrPH
For a long time, medical professionals and the general public have assumed that consuming alcohol means gaining weight. At Brigham and Women’s, we recently conducted a study that involved almost 20,000 women.
Bill Clinton’s Story: What a Woman Can Learn from a Man About Cardiovascular Health
Posted on April 15, 2010 by Paula Johnson, MD, MPH
You may have heard about this in the news — our former President Bill Clinton, who underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2004, was recently hospitalized to have a clogged artery opened after he experienced discomfort in his chest.
Be Happy for Your Heart’s Sake
Posted on April 12, 2010 by JoAnne Foody, MD
Recent studies suggest that people who are positive, enthusiastic and content are less likely to develop heart
disease than less happy people.
From Alpha to Omega: Get Your Omega 6s
Posted on April 7, 2010 by Kathy McManus, MS, RD, LDN
We know that the best way to prevent cardiovascular disease is to have a healthy lifestyle and to eat healthy.
But what specifically can we eat to be healthy?
Blood Pressure: Pressure’s On to Stay Healthy
Posted on March 13, 2010 by Paula Johnson, MD, MPH
I’m willing to bet you’ve had your blood pressure checked before. But has anyone ever explained to you why you should be concerned about your
blood pressure?
Vitamins: Multivitamin Supplements Vs. Nutrient-Rich Food Sources
Posted on March 1, 2010 by Kathy McManus, MS, RD, LDN
How many times have you heard the age-old prompt, "Make sure you take your vitamin"?
Chocolate: Cardiovascular Benefits Prove It’s Not Always a Junk Food
Posted on February 16, 2010 by Kathy McManus, MS, RD, LDN
Changing what you eat can sometimes seem to be a great challenge – often because it seems that
a change in diet limits the foods you enjoy. This isn’t always the case.
How Eating Like a Vegetarian Can Improve Your Heart Health
Posted on January 14, 2010 by Kathy McManus, MS, RD, LDN
Studies have shown that it is actually possible to improve your
health by eating like a vegetarian.
Cutting Back On Your Sodium Intake
Posted on December 3, 2009 by Kathy McManus, MS, RD, LDN
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to monitor your intake of sodium, most of which comes from salt.
The Mediterranean Diet Can Play a Key Role in Your Heart Health
Posted on August 2, 2009 by Paula Johnson, MD, MPH
The diet of populations of countries surrounding the Mediterranean Ocean (specifically Italy and Greece) has significant benefits, including lower rates of stroke, hypertension and heart attack.
Ischemic Heart Disease Too Often Goes Undetected in Women
Posted on July 23, 2009 by Paula Johnson, MD, MPH
A comprehensive study suggests that many women have a form of heart disease called coronary microvascular dysfunction that isn’t detected by standard diagnostic procedures.
Water Bottles and a Woman’s Heart
Posted on June 13, 2009 by Paula Johnson, MD, MPH
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the unhealthy side effects of plastic water bottles. What you may not know is that for women, the stakes
may be even higher.
Where Hot Flashes Meet Heart Health
Posted on June 2, 2009 by Paula Johnson, MD, MPH
Did you see the July 1 article in The New York Times, “Seeking Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes”?
If you’re like some of my patients, you may be wondering if your decision to try alternative therapies for the symptoms of
menopause, such as hot flashes, will impact your heart health.
Date Last Modified: January 21, 2011
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© BWH 2011
Can Personality Affect Your Heart?
Posted on December 17, 2010 by JoAnne Foody, MD
My patients always ask me how they can work on their risk factors, and we usually discuss controllable factors such as weight, physical activity, cholesterol, and blood pressure. But what about our inherent characteristics?More >