BROMOCRIPTINE/HYPERTENSION/SEIZURES/STROKES
Bromocriptine (Parlodel), given to new mothers to suppress breast milk production, may produce high blood pressure, seizures, and even strokes. The FDA is revising the labeling of Bromocriptine. (FDA Drug Bulletin 14(1)3-4, April 1984) Copyright Phylis Austin

HEART OPERATIONS/BRAIN DAMAGE
Blood flow in the brains of 37 patients was measured prior to and within ten days after open heart surgery. Decreases in regional cerebral blood flow occurred throughout the entire brain in the patients. Several studies have suggested that open heart surgery produces possibly irreversible brain injury. (The Lancet 1:816- 820, April 14, 1984) Copyright Phylis Austin

BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS/MEMORY
Two types of blood pressure medications, propranolol hydrochloride and methyldopa, have been shown to induce memory impairment. Even though the test results clearly showed memory impairment most of the subjects were unaware of their memory loss. (Archives of General Psychiatry 40:1109-1112, October, 1983) Copyright Phylis Austin

COFFEE/HEARTBURN
Many patients report that coffee produces heartburn. Recent studies show that this heartburn is the result of dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter and gastroesophageal reflux. (New England Journal of Medicine 303:122, 1980) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
Researchers are now beginning to suspect that the levels of cholesterol which are currently used by laboratories as acceptable are instead really too high. Dr. Bruce McManus, director of cardiovascular registry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center says that proper levels of cholesterol are most likely lower than 190 mg/dl. Laboratories often consider levels of up to 300 mg/dl as acceptable. (Oncology Times 7:21, 36, February 1985) We believe the most desirable levels to be about 100 plus your age; and for triglycerides, the more under 100 the better. Copyright Phylis Austin

EGG/MEAT/HEART ATTACKS
Researchers have demonstrated a strong correlation between the use of eggs and meat and myocardial infarction. A group of patients with recent myocardial infarction were compared with a group of persons of similar age and sex distribution. The patients who had suffered heart attack ate eggs an average of 4.194 times per week, while the control group consumed eggs only 2.869 times per week. Meat consumption in the myocardial infarction group averaged 10.938 times per week; in the controls it was only 8.102. The study showed a clear relationship between meat and egg use and myocardial infarction. The researchers observed that around 99 percent of myocardial infarction patients used meat more than four times per week. The writers point to the much lower incidence of myocardial infarction in countries where dairy products are not so readily available. (The Practitioner 227:673-4, April 1983) Copyright Phylis Austin

ASPIRIN/BLOOD PRESSURE
Patients with borderline or mild systolic blood pressure may be adversely affected by the use of aspirin. Patients given aspirin for 12 weeks demonstrated elevated systolic blood pressure. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology 5(2)442, February 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

PHYSICAL FITNESS/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Persons not physically fit are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure than are physically fit individuals, according to a study of over 5,000 men and women followed for 12 years. (Journal of the American Medical Association 252(4)487-490, July 27, 1984) Copyright Phylis Austin

COLD BEVERAGES/HEART
A 31-year-old patient hospitalized with a myocardial infarction (heart attack) was given cold iced cola. Within 20 seconds he demonstrated changes in heart function. Previous studies have shown changes after the use of cold drinking water but the physicians who reported this case feel that the caffeine in the cola may have played a role in the elevation of the blood pressure and heart rate. (American Heart Journal 108(1054-1056, October, 1984) Copyright Phylis Austin

BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS/DIABETES
A Swedish study of 1462 women revealed a considerably increased risk of diabetes in hypertensives taking diuretics and/or beta blockers. (British Medical Journal 289:1495-1497, December 1, 1984) Copyright Phylis Austin

COOLING/HEART DISEASE
Six hours of only mild cooling increased whole blood viscosity in healthy volunteers. The authors of this study point out that death rates from cerebral and coronary thrombosis increase as the air temperature falls. (British Medical Journal 289:1405-1408, November 24, 1984) This study illustrates the importance of proper dress. Copyright Phylis Austin

HIGH PROTEIN DIET/ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Laboratory rats given a high protein diet demonstrated a predisposition to atherogenesis. (Nutrition Research 4:981-986, 1984) Both heart disease and cancer are related to the use of fats and animal products. Protein loading has been a known factor in cancer production; now it is being recognized as a factor in heart disease. Rich foods promote many "lifestyle" diseases. Copyright Phylis Austin

COFFEE/CHOLESTEROL
A ten week trial involving 33 men revealed that cholesterol levels fell when the use of coffee was discontinued. Levels continued to fall for the entire weeks of abstinence. (British Medical Journal 290:893-895, March 23, 1985) Coffee drinking--just one to three cups daily--has been linked with various cancers, kidney problems, hypertension, overweight, depression, anxiety, hostility, and a lower occupational status than non coffee drinkers. Copyright Phylis Austin

INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION RISK FACTORS
A new report from the ongoing Framingham study reveals that intermittent claudication (pain in the legs, often brought on by walking) rises with age until about 75 years of age. Cigarette smoking approximately doubles the risk of intermittent claudication. It was found that impaired glucose tolerance increased the risk, and that hypertension (high blood pressure) increased the risk 2.5 to 4-fold. A low vital capacity (inability to take large amounts of air into the lungs)was also a risk. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society 33:13-18, 1985) Exercise will improve glucose tolerance, reduce high blood pressure, and increase vital capacity, thus decreasing the risk of intermittent claudication. Copyright Phylis Austin

NOISE/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
A group of 22 medical students exposed to noise levels of 95 to 105 decibels for only 10 minutes showed an increase in blood pressure. Previous studies have shown that people who work or live in noisy surroundings tend to have higher blood pressure that those who do not. (Modern Medicine, April 1985 P. 25,29) Copyright Phylis Austin

PASSIVE SMOKING/HEART DISEASE
More people die of smoking related heart disease than lung cancer. A ten-year study done in California revealed that wives of current or former smokers had a higher death rate from heart disease than did women whose husbands did not smoke. (American Journal of Epidemiology 121:645-50, 1985) Tobacco continues to be the number one health hazard in the United States, causing or making worse a host of diseases. Copyright Phylis Austin

MEAT/FATAL ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE
A Loma Linda study reveals a positive association between meat eating and fatal heart disease in both men and women. Men in the 45 to 64-year old category who ate meat daily had a threefold greater risk than men in the same age group who did not eat meat. (Preventive Medicine 13:490-500, 1984) Copyright Phylis Austin

DIETARY FAT/BLOOD PRESSURE
Three studies carried out in Finland have revealed that reducing the fat intake to less than 25 percent of total calories and increasing the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fats may produce improvement in high blood pressure. (Internal Medicine News 18(13)25, July 1-14, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin

DAIRY PRODUCTS/CHOLESTEROL
A study of lactovegetarians (who use dairy products) and strict vegetarians who use none, reveal that dairy products increase the LDL cholesterol 24 percent, while HDL cholesterol seems less responsive to dietary fats than LDL cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol levels are considered to increase the risk of heart disease. (Journal of the American Medical Association 254(10)1337-1341, September 13, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin

ASPIRIN/HEART DEFECTS
Infants of mothers who take aspirin during early pregnancy are at increased risk of heart defects. Aspirin taken during the first three months of pregnancy produced a two-fold increase in the risk of some heart defects. (New England Journal of Medicine 313(6)347-352, August 8, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHOLESTEROL/BRAIN TUMORS
A study from Israel reveals that patients with brain tumors have higher cholesterol levels than do normal individuals. A number of studies have been published in the last few years suggesting a relationship between high cholesterol levels and cancer rates. (British Journal of Cancer 52:92-98, 1985) Everyone knows of the relationship between cholesterol and heart disease. Copyright Phylis Austin

COLD MEDICATIONS/HEART DISEASE
The Georgia Affiliate of the American Heart Association has prepared a report cautioning physicians that cold remedies, often considered "harmless," may be more harmful than the cold they are given to treat. Phenyl-propanolamine and pseudoephedrine, found in many over-the-counter decongestants and cold remedies may cause high blood pressure and defective heart rhythms, which may even lead to death. Myocardial injury has been related to the use of phenylpropanolamine.. (Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia 75(3)176-178, March, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

RAW FOOD/BLOOD PRESSURE/WEIGHT CONTROL
A group of patients who were being treated for high blood pressure and obesity were placed on a diet in which at least 40 percent of their total intake of calories consisted of raw food. After 6.7 months the mean weight loss averaged 3.8 kg, and they demonstrated a reduction of 17.8 mm Hg in mean diastolic blood pressure. Interestingly, 80 percent of these people who consumed alcohol or smoked spontaneously stopped the use of these substances. (Southern Medical Journal 78(7)841-844, July 1985) This diet may be helpful for those who are diabetic, arthritic, or are trying to stop smoking! Copyright Phylis Austin

EXTRA HEARTBEATS
Many people notice extra heart beats from time to time and fear that they may have heart disease. A study presented at the 56th Scientific Session of the American Heart Association in Anaheim, California, revealed that extra heartbeats in otherwise healthy, asymptomatic persons does not indicate an elevated risk of death due to heart disease. Various studies have shown that as many as 75 percent of the population may have extra heartbeats, some even frequently. The incidence increases with age. (New England Journal of Medicine 312(4)193-7, January 24, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin

HEARTBURN/SLEEPING PILLS
Dr. William Orr, director of the Sleep Disorders Center of Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma reports that people who take sleeping pills may have more severe heartburn than those without sleeping medication. The sleeping pill overrides the normal waking reflex which allows the heartburn sufferer to clear the acid substance from the esophagus. Because the person does not awaken acid remains in the esophagus for a longer period of time. (Geriatrics 41(1)31, January, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

HEARING LOSS/DIET/NOISE/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Studies in 1964 revealed that hearing loss is not necessarily the result of aging. Harold C. Pillsbury, Chairman of the Division of Otolaryngology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill reports that the combination of noise exposure, high blood pressure, and a diet high in fats may be responsible for the hearing loss found in aging Americans. (Journal of the American Medical Association 256(3)312, 313, July 18, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA/NON-FREON AEROSOL PROPELLANTS
A two-year-old female developed ventricular tachycardia and seizures after playing with a can of spray deodorant. (Journal of the American Medical Association 256(1)78-80, July 4, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHARCOAL/CHOLESTEROL
A group of seven patients who had not responded to medications normally given to lower cholesterol levels were given 8 g. of charcoal in water three times a day for four weeks. Total cholesterol decreased by an average of 25 percent; LDH cholesterol decreased by 41 percent, and HDL cholesterol increased 8 percent. It is felt that a high HDL cholesterol level is protective for heart disease, while low LDL cholesterol levels are beneficial. (The Lancet, August 16, 1986, p. 366-367) Copyright Phylis Austin

ATHEROSCLEROSIS/CORTICOSTEROIDS
Corticosteroid medications may increase the rate of onset of atherosclerosis. Washington D.C. researchers have observed that patients given corticosteroids for such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis have elevated death rates, with cardiovascular disease a prominent cause of death in these patients. (American Journal of Medicine 80:925-929, May 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

LICORICE/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Glycyrrhizin, a chemical found in licorice, may cause the body to retain sodium and lose potassium. These biochemical alterations may lead to fluid retention, muscle weakness, blood pressure elevation or paralysis. (Tufts University Diet and Nutrition Letter 4(3)7-8, May 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

SMOKING/STROKE
A New Zealand study reveals that smoking may cause more strokes than high blood pressure, which is commonly known to predispose to stroke. Smokers have a threefold increase in risk when compared to non-smokers with normal blood pressure levels. As the number of cigarettes smoked increases so does the risk of stroke. (British Medical Journal 293:831-837, June, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

MILK/ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
Milk use has been related to arteriosclerosis, but the process is not fully understood. A Wisconsin researcher suggests that it may be caused by a milk-borne bacterium. (Medical Hypotheses 20:317-328, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

SALT/ARTERIAL CHANGES
A low salt diet may improve artery distensibility according to a study of 57 subjects with normal blood pressure. A low-salt diet has been used for years in the treatment of high blood pressure but this study reveals that the condition of vessels in persons with normal blood pressure is better on a low-salt diet.
Arterial stiffness, which may lead to an increase in blood pressure, has been considered a part of the aging process. Populations who habitually use a diet low in sodium have less increase in arterial pressure with increasing age and much less hypertension. This study suggests that some of the changes we have attributed to aging may be a response to the sodium in the American diet. (Arteriosclerosis 6:166-169, March-April 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

COFFEE/HEART DISEASE
Heavy coffee drinkers (five or more cups per day) may have a twofold to threefold increase in risk of heart disease according to a study of 1130 medical students. The individuals in the study were followed for 19-35 years. The study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Aging and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and was presented at the 58th Scientific Session of the American Heart Association. (New England Journal of Medicine 315(6)977-982, October 16, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

SUGAR/BLOOD PRESSURE
Sugar (sucrose) administration raised blood pressure in hypertensive rats. (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 155(5)1113-8, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

VEGETARIAN DIET/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/EYE CHANGES
A study carried out in the Republic of China revealed that individuals on a strict vegetarian diet (no meat, fish, milk, eggs, and alcohol or tobacco) have less high blood pressure than persons consuming the typical non-vegetarian diet. Retinal arteriosclerosis was much less common in the vegetarians (19.8 percent vs. 42.9 percent). Degenerative disease of the retina of the eye was less common in vegetarians. In those vegetarians who did have abnormalities of the eyes, the changes were much less profound than those in non-vegetarians. (Medical Tribune 27(32)3, 33, November, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

POTASSIUM INTAKE/STROKE
High blood pressure is the major known risk factor for stroke. Experimental, clinical, and epidemiologic data suggest that potassium may decrease blood pressure. A southern California study of 859 men and women revealed that increasing potassium intake may produce a 40 percent reduction in risk of death from stroke. Fruits and vegetables were the primary potassium sources in this study. The authors point out that these same foods are also high in calcium, magnesium and fiber, all of which may protect against cardiovascular disease. (New England Journal of Medicine 316:235-40, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHOLESTEROL/HEARING
High cholesterol levels may lead to hearing loss. (Acta Otolaryngologica 102(5-6)372-381, December, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

BLOOD PRESSURE/CAFFEINE
Caffeine, given during rest periods, elevated blood pressure by 8/6 mg Hg. During periods of mental stress caffeine increased blood pressure 17/7 mm Hg, with levels sometimes reaching 160/100 mm Hg. In the study group. Skin conductance and heart rate were also increased. Caffeine may play an important part in the development of heart disease. Two to three cups of coffee have been shown to produce an increase of 14/10 mm Hg in young persons who did not habitually consume caffeine. (Psychosomatic Medicine 49(3)226, May-June, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

GARLIC/CHOLESTEROL
A Loma Linda University study demonstrates that an odor-modified garlic extract is effective in reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein (LDL),while elevating high density lipoprotein (HDL). Triglycerides and cholesterol were not lowered in persons with already low levels. (Nutrition Research 7:139-149, February, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

DIETARY FIBER/BLOOD PRESSURE
High-fiber diets have been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure. A group of patients with high blood pressure were given 7 grams of additional fiber per day over a three-month period. They showed reductions in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure levels, and lower cholesterol levels. (The Lancet 2:622-623, September 12, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

WATER INTAKE/BLOOD PRESSURE
Salt restriction has been prescribed in the treatment of high blood pressure for decades. A study from the Institute of Nutrition and Department of Pharmacology at the University of Montreal reveals that the ratio of water and salt intake may be more important than salt intake alone. Lack of sufficient water intake may hinder the body's ability to excrete salt from the body. (Experientia 28:282, March 15, 1972) Copyright Phylis Austin

COFFEE CONSUMPTION/DEATH FROM HEART DISEASE
A study carried out at the Western Electric Company in Chicago suggests that men who consume more than six cups of coffee each day are more likely to die of coronary heart disease. The study included both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. (American Journal of Epidemilolgy 126(5)813-812, 1987) All these continued studies on caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks should tell us something important. We should bear in mind that caffeine is not the only toxic substance occurring naturally in coffee, tea, colas and chocolate. Copyright Phylis Austin

NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS/BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL
Persons who are taking one of the group of over-the -counter medications commonly called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain control may have trouble controlling their blood pressure. People who are suffering high blood pressure may develop weight gain and fluid retention, preventing their medications from controlling their high blood pressure. The drug, ibuprofen, is commonly sold under such trade names as Advil, Nuprin, Rufen, and Medipren. (Annals of Internal Medicine 107:628-535, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

UNNECESSARY PACEMAKER INSERTIONS
It has been estimated that over 120,000 new pacemakers are inserted each year and one in 500 Americans already has one. A recent study reveals that many of these pacemakers were unnecessary. Less than half of the patients given pacemakers in a recent survey actually required them; others were either questionable, or not at all necessary. The Special Subcommittee on Aging has concluded that about half of all Medicare expenditures were unjustified. While it is possible that some pacemakers are inserted for financial motives, many people receive pacemakers because their physician did not have the proper training in evaluation of the severity of the disease. Even university teaching hospitals were shown to perform inadequate workups prior to pacemaker insertion. Some patients have aggravation of symptoms after insertion of pacemakers, infections may develop, and sometimes pacemakers malfunction or cease functioning. (New England Journal of Medicine 318:158-163, January 21, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

PASSIVE SMOKE/ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Adolescents who are exposed to passive smoke show higher levels of total cholesterol, thus predisposing them to the early development of atherosclerotic disease. (Pediatric Research 23(4 Pt 2)204A, April 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHOLESTEROL/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Individuals with low cholesterol levels appear to have lower incidences of high blood pressure according to a study carried out by Dr. Lars Ekelund, associate professor of medicine at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Medical World News 29(9)19, May 9, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

MILK INTAKE/HEART DISEASE
A study reported in 1980 suggested an association between lactose (from milk) and ischemic heart disease. A new study carried out in the Soviet Union reports that high milk intake increases the risk of heart disease. Those who drank three or more glasses of milk per day were 1.7 times more likely to have ischemic heart disease. (British Medical Journal 296:95-96, January 9, 1988) It is of interest that commercial and professional interests in the United States, the National Dairy Council and many universities advise that children and older women drink three or more glasses of milk daily. Clearly this recommendation is not in the best interest of good health. Copyright Phylis Austin

FIBER INTAKE/HEART DISEASE
A California study suggests that a high intake of dietary fiber may protect against ischemic heart disease. The chief sources of fiber in the U.S. diet are vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Earlier studies have shown that fiber reduces cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. (American Journal of Epidemiology 126:1093-1102, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/PHYSICIAN VISITS
Many people who have their blood pressure checked by physicians show abnormally high readings from what is being called "white coat hypertension." A study from Cornell University in New York revealed that blood pressure readings taken by nurses or technicians were lower, due to less anxiety on the part of the patient. Some patients receiving treatment for high blood pressure may not need it, as the elevated blood pressure readings may be due entirely to the stress of the physician visit. (Journal of the American Medical Association 259(2)225-228, January 9, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

BLOOD PRESSURE/REFINED CARBOHYDRATES
It is known that large amounts of sucrose will raise the blood pressure. A recent study from Georgetown University Medical Center and the National Institute of Health, reveals that refined carbohydrates such as glucose, fructose, and starch also cause blood pressure elevations. (Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition 5:9-20, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

TEA/CHOLESTEROL
Tea, over a two week period, may produce a 4.1 percent increase in cholesterol levels. (Your Health 27(19)4, September 13, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

PULSE RATE
Exercisers often check their pulse to assist in monitoring the intensity of their exercise. The carotid pulse (in the neck) is often used, but may give an incorrect reading if improperly taken. Baroreceptors, in the carotid arteries, slow the heart rate. If pressure is applied to these during pulse measurement the reading may be inaccurate. In some cases the heart rate may be so slowed as to cause fainting.
Dr. Bryant Stamford, director of Health Promotion and Wellness Center of Louisville, Kentucky, offers the following suggestions: (1) locate your pulse before you stop exercising (2) Start counting immediately upon stopping the exercise. (3) The heart rate begins to drop almost immediately after exercise ceases, and is significantly slower within 20 seconds. This will lead to an underestimation of the pulse rate. Count the pulse for only ten seconds and multiply the number by six to determine the heart rate. (The Physician and Sports Medicine 16(9)180, September 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHOLESTEROL/VEGAN DIET
A vegan diet (free of all animal products) lowered cholesterol levels according to a study from Norway. Significant changes were demonstrated after only 12 days on the vegan diet. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 48(3 Suppl)920, September 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

FETAL HEART ARRHYTHMIAS/MOTHER'S CAFFEINE USE
Pregnant women who use excessive amounts of caffeine may produce heart rate abnormalities in their unborn babies. An infant born to a woman who consumed caffeine during labor contained caffeine and the heart had an irregular heart rhythm. (British Medical Journal, March 4, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

ASPIRIN/HEART DISEASE PREVENTION
Despite widely claimed benefits in the prevention of heart disease, healthy people should not take daily aspirin in the belief that it will prevent the development of heart disease, according to a report presented by Dr. Arnold M. Katz at the American College of Physician meeting. Dr. Katz, professor of medicine and chief of cardiology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine states that while aspirin may be helpful to those with heart problems, there is no evidence that it will benefit those without heart disease. An increased incidence of sudden death and hemorrhagic stroke has been noted with aspirin use. Cardiovascular death rates were no different in people taking aspirin and those not taking aspirin in the study he reported. (Internal Medicine News 22(6)26, March 15-31, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS/DIABETES
A study at the University of Uppsala in Sweden suggests that men who are predisposed to diabetes may be more likely to develop it if they are treated for high blood pressure. The medications may decrease insulin sensitivity, producing diabetes in those predisposed to it. (British Medical Journal 298:1147, April 29, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

SUNLIGHT/CHOLESTEROL
Sunlight exposure may help decrease levels of LDL cholesterol. Studies have demonstrated that levels of the "bad" type of cholesterol are higher during the winter months than during the summer. (Longevity 1(10)87, July 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

MUSCLE SYMPTOMS/HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Patients with high cholesterol levels were shown to have more joint and musculoskeletal pain than patients with low cholesterol levels. The foot and ankle regions were the most common pain sites. (Journal of Rheumatology 16:643-5, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

ASPIRIN USE/KIDNEY DISEASE/HEART DISEASE
A recent report which claimed that the daily use of aspirin decreased the risk of heart attack was sufficient to start many people on the program. A follow-up study demonstrated that those who took aspirin on a daily basis were more likely to develop kidney cancer than non-users, and revealed increased rates of ischemic heart disease in the aspirin users. (British Medical Journal 299:1247-1250, November 18, 1989) Other studies have shown that the apparent benefit from aspirin was not real. Copyright Phylis Austin

EXERCISE/CHRONIC HEART FAILURE
Patients suffering from chronic heart failure are often restricted from physical activity by their physicians, in the belief that the additional strain on the heart will overwhelm it. Now a study from the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Radcliffe Hospital demonstrates that a physical exercise program actually improves the patient's condition. The patients in the study had a decrease in symptoms and improvements in oxygen consumption. (The Lancet 335:63-66, January 13, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

EXERCISE/HEART FAILURE
Dr. Jan Kellermann, director of the cardiac rehabilitation unit at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center in Israel reports that patients with impaired ventricular function and those who have chronic congestive heart failure can benefit from a regular exercise program. (Cardiology World News 6(6)30, June 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

COFFEE/HEART ATTACK
The relationship between coffee use and heart attacks has been debated for decades. A recent study from the Division of Cardiology as Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, California has demonstrated that as coffee use increases the risk of heart attack rises. (American Journal of Epidemiology 132(3)479- 488, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN CHILDREN
A study from Columbia University in New York revealed that children as young as six years of age may demonstrate risk factors for heart disease due to their lack of exercise and improper diet. Several recent studies have pointed out that American children are fatter and less fit than previous generations, and some researchers are concerned that this is the groundwork for an epidemic of adult heart disease. High blood pressure in children has been associated with overweight. As weight increases fitness decreases and blood pressure increases. (Journal of the American Medical Association 264(9)1123-1127, September 5, 1990)
Parents should encourage their children in regular out-of-doors exercise by setting the proper example, and should use the care in the selection of their child's diet as they should theirs. Proper guidance in childhood can instill lifelong good health habits. Copyright Phylis Austin

EXERCISE/HEART DISEASE RISK IN ELDERLY
Leisure time exercise in elderly people has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol levels, and may reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society 38:847-854, 1990) Apparently we are never too old to benefit from exercise. Retirement is a good opportunity to increase your exercise. Copyright Phylis Austin

EXERCISE/CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
A study from Oxford, England, suggests that certain patients with congestive heart failure benefit from exercise programs. Exercise has been forbidden in these patients in the past. (British Heart Journal 64(1)81, July 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

HEART DISEASE/MARGARINE/BUTTER
Those who are attempting to lower their risk of heart attack may have switched from butter to margarine. A recent Dutch study shows that both saturated fats (found in butter) and trans fatty acids (found in margarine and other artificially hydrogenated shortenings) are capable of raising LDL cholesterol levels. Furthermore, the trans fatty acids lowered the beneficial HDL cholesterol levels. This study suggests that individuals who wish to lower their risk of heart disease need to restrict their use of both butter and margarine, and of all types of fats. (New England Journal of Medicine 323:439, August 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

PULMONARY ARTERY CATHETER STUDIES
An editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association calls for credentialing standards for physicians who perform pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) studies. A study revealed a wide range of variation in the ability of physicians to carry out and interpret PAC studies. Almost half of the physicians in the study were unable to properly interpret the test results. (Journal of the American Medical Association 264(22)2928-2932, December 12, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

DIGOXIN/ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Digitalis has been given in various forms over the past 200 years to treat atrial fibrillation (rapid, irregular heart beat). Recent studies suggest that digoxin, a substance found in digitalis, which has been considered the standardized treatment for atrial fibrillation, is not only not helpful, but may actually worsen the problem. (Annals of Internal Medicine 114(7):573-575, April 1, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

NOISE/BLOOD PRESSURE
A study in China revealed that noise may be a significant factor in the development of high blood pressure. In about seven percent of a group of over 1,000 women, noise was considered to be an important factor in the development of the hypertension. (British Journal of Industrial Medicine 48:179-84, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

PHENACETIN/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE/CANCER/UROLOGIC AND RENAL DISEASE
Patients who use phenacetin in excessive amounts or for prolonged times are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, and renal and/or urologic disease. (New England Journal of Medicine 324:155-60, January 17, 1991). Even though phenacetin is available over-the-counter it should not be considered without risk. Copyright Phylis Austin

LUPUS SYMPTOMS/CHOLESTEROL
Some individuals given lovastatin to lower their blood cholesterol develop lupus-like symptoms. It is estimated that approximately 50 different medications may induce lupus-like symptoms, including yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, joint pain and swelling, fever, and fatigue. (Archives of Internal Medicine 151:1667-1668, August 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

EXERCISE/HEART ATTACK
Middle aged men with ischemic heart disease who participated in regular light or moderate exercise decreased their risk of heart attack, while those who participated in such vigorous activities as jogging or squash had almost the same risk of heart attack as inactive men, according to an eight-year study of about 8000 middle aged men. The researchers conclude that vigorous exercise is not essential for cardiac protection; and regular, moderate activity is more effective in reducing heart attack risk. (British Heart Journal 66:384-94, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

SUGAR/BLOOD PRESSURE
Sucrose (sugar) intake may increase the blood pressure. (American Journal of Hypertension 3:560-562, 1990) Other studies have indicated that the intake of refined carbohydrates produce an increase in blood pressure. Copyright Phylis Austin

LOW FAT DIET/WALKING/HEART DISEASE
A brisk daily 45 minute walk in combination with a low fat diet can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease. Seventy-two patients at the Pritikin Longevity Center in Santa Monica, California, were followed for three weeks. In addition to the low fat diet and walking program, the study group eliminated red meat, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol during the study period. Some of the diabetics in the study were able to stop all medication, as were some high blood pressure patients. They also averaged a 10 pound weight loss. (American Journal of Cardiology 69:440-444, 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin

CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS SURGERY
A study of Veteran's Administration patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery almost twenty years earlier revealed that benefits were transient and disappeared by 11 years following the surgery. Benefits showed marked decrease at about five years. Furthermore, surgery did not decrease the incidence of myocardial infarction or death. (Circulation 86:121-130, 1992) Benefits of proper diet do not decrease with age. This seems a more logical approach to the problem. Copyright Phylis Austin

HEART DISEASE/WOMEN
A sedentary lifestyle is a greater risk for heart disease than is high cholesterol or smoking. (Self, May, 1992, p. 45) Copyright Phylis Austin

HYPERTENSION IN ELDERLY/MENTAL CHANGES
Long lasting high blood pressure may lead to brain damage, according to a study from Netherlands. The white matter of the brain is damaged, resulting in decreased mental ability. (Internal Medicine World Report Geriatric Medicine News and Reports 1(1), March 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin

CAFFEINE/BLOOD PRESSURE
Volunteers in their regular work environment were tested on days they consumed caffeinated coffee and days they did not. The days they used coffee they showed higher blood pressure levels, suggesting that those with high blood pressure will benefit from avoiding caffeine. (American Journal of Hypertension 3:749-753, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

FRUIT FIBER/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
The fiber found naturally in fruit may help in the prevention of high blood pressure. A study at Harvard revealed that men who ate an ounce of fiber per day in the form of fruits and vegetables were less likely to develop high blood pressure (Medical Tribune 33(22)1, November 26, 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin

CAFFEINE/HEART RATE ABNORMALITIES IN INFANTS
Infants of mothers who consume caffeine during pregnancy may suffer from caffeine withdrawal after birth. They may develop irregular heart rhythms, tremors, and rapid respiration. (Clinical Pediatrics, January 1993, p. 45-47) Copyright Phylis Austin

ANTIHYPERTENSIVES/TRANQUILIZERS/SLEEPING PILLS/COLON CANCER
A study from Denmark indicates that antihypertensive medications (given to control high blood pressure), sedatives (sleeping medications), and tranquilizers may be strong risk factors for the development of colon cancer. (Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 28:475-481, 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin

HOSTILITY/HEART DISEASE
Hostility may increase the risk of heart attack, particularly in older males. People who react to stress with increased blood pressure and heart rate may damage the coronary arteries and the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease. (Mayo Clinic Health Letter 11(5)6, May 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHOLESTEROL/SOY PRODUCTS
Laboratory animals given a soy protein based diet were compared to a similar group given a casein based diet. The soy diet reduced cholesterol levels. (Proceedings of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine 203(1)74, May 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin

BODY SIZE, BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEMATOCRIT/PREECLAMPSIA
A study of over 4,000 pregnant women revealed that as body size, blood pressure, and hematocrit increased, so did the risk of developing preeclampsia during the pregnancy. (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 164(1 Pt 2)393, January 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

IRON/HEART DISEASE
Heart disease in men may be at least partially due to their higher iron levels according to a study from the Webb-Warning Lung Institute at the University of Colorado. Heart disease rates increase in post-menopausal women. They may have higher iron levels because they do not have iron loss with their monthly periods. It may be that we do not yet understand proper iron levels in the human body. (Circulation 83(3)1112-1114, March 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

BREAKFAST/CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN CHILDREN
A study of over 500 school children revealed that those children who regularly eat breakfast have lower cholesterol levels, than do those who do not eat breakfast. Those children who ate cereals high in fiber had the lowest cholesterol levels. Earlier studies have shown that children who eat breakfast perform better in school. (Journal of School Health 61(2)81-85, February 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

TREADMILL TESTS/PHYSICIAN TRAINING
A recent article in an economics magazine directed toward physicians proclaimed that the addition of treadmill testing equipment to the office could increase physician income. The article did not address the matter of patient benefit, however. An editorial in a cardiology magazine points out that there are no minimum training standards required to do exercise testing, although there are some groups who are actively moving in this direction. While the patient may not suffer physical harm during a treadmill test, if the test is incorrectly interpreted he may be subjected to much unnecessary stress and expense by being referred to a heart specialist for further evaluation. Poor testing technique or poor test reading skills decrease the value of test results. A patient who needs treadmill testing should consider going to a physician who has kept current in this area. (Cardio 7(9)5, 14, September 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

SUSTAINED RELEASE NIACIN/CHOLESTEROL
Sustained release niacin is sometimes used in the attempt to lower cholesterol levels. Because immediate release niacin may produce such side effects as flushing, itching, and rash, sustained- released niacin is utilized. Unfortunately, the sustained release form of niacin has now been found toxic to the liver. (Public Citizen's Health Research Group Health Letter 10(4)9, April 1994; Journal of the American Medical Association 271:672-677, March 2, 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin

EXERCISE/HYPERTENSION
Adults who are encouraged to participate in a physical activity program to reduce their risk of high blood pressure often argue that they have jobs which require sufficient physical activity. A 30-year study of over 800 adults reveals that despite job-related physical activity, those who did not participate in recreational exercise had higher blood pressure, higher heart rates, higher cholesterol levels, and higher insulin levels. They also showed more anger and anxiety. Even a very little recreational exercise provided benefits. (Blood Pressure 3:178, May 1994; Medical Abstracts Newsletter, August 1994, p. 6) Copyright Phylis Austin

FETAL HEART RATES/CESAREAN SECTIONS
When fetal heart rates increase or decrease during labor it may produce great anxiety on the part of obstetricians, and in some cases could even lead to caesarean section, believing that the infant is in distress.
Jan G. Nijhuis, M.D., professor of perinatology at University Hospital in Nijegon, the Netherlands, told the First World Congress on Labor and Delivery that proper evaluation of fetal behavior could effectively reduce the C-section rate.
He has observed three types of irregular fetal heartbeats: a "wavy" heartbeat may suggest that the fetus is sucking his thumb; a quickened beat may indicate an exercising fetus; and an almost undetectable beat may suggest a sleeping fetus. Dr. Nijhuis has observed that sleeping heart patterns may persist for about 90 minutes, even during labor.
Dr. Nijhuis points out that after birth if we see an infant sleeping quietly we don't awaken it to see if it is sleeping or in a coma. He sees no point in doing it before birth either. (Medical Tribune 35(15)8, August 11, 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin

CAFFEINE/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Two to three cups of coffee may raise blood pressure levels for over three hours in men who suffer from mild hypertension. This increase may be sufficient to lead to the treatment of high blood pressure in individuals who would not require treatment if they would discontinue the use of caffeine. (American Journal of Hypertension 7:755-758, August 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin

ATHEROSCLEROSIS/STROKE/HEART DISEASE PREDICTION
A simple test you can do in your own home may predict your risk of developing atherosclerosis, heart disease, or stroke. Called the "ankle/arm index" (AAI), this test indicates the presence of blockages in the blood vessels.
The person being tested lies quietly for about 10 to 20 minutes. The blood pressure is measured in the arm and ankle simultaneously, and then the ankle systolic blood pressure is divided by the arm pressure. (The researchers usually take three different blood pressure readings, and average the results.) A ratio of 1.1 is considered normal, ratios of 0.9 or lower indicate blood vessel blockage, and risk of coronary artery disease. (Alternatives 5(23)184, May 1995; Medical Tribune for the Obstetrician & Gynecologist 2(10)15, May 18, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

HEART DISEASE/IMMUNE SYSTEM/VIOLENT MOVIES/TELEVISION
Duke University researchers report that watching violence on television or in movies may weaken the immune system and/or increase one's risk of heart attack. Subjects watching violence on television had increases in their heart rates and blood pressure, and higher stress hormone levels. The researchers concluded that the large amount of violence Americans are exposed to may represent a significant health hazard. (Medical Tribune 36(8)21, April 21, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/VEGETARIAN DIET
A vegetarian diet with low intake of saturated fat, a high fruit and vegetable fiber intake, and a high P/S ratio appears to decrease high blood pressure. (Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases 4:103-112, 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin

WEIGHT GUIDELINES/HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN
Women who fall into the "normal" weight category for government guidelines are at increased risk of heart attack. Harvard researchers observed that women at the upper levels of the so- called "normal" range were more likely to suffer a heart attack than were women in the lower range.
A 1990 revision of acceptable weight guidelines raised what they considered acceptable weight levels. (Medical Tribune 36(5)4, March 9, 1995) Now we can see that the weight levels should actually have been lowered. "Average weight" is not necessarily ideal weight. Copyright Phylis Austin

FISH OIL/HEART DISEASE
Many are enthusiastically endorsing the consumption of fish or fish oils to decrease the risk of heart disease. A review of over 21,000 male physicians in the Physicians' Health Study does not support the claim that fish oil is beneficial. Four years of follow-up revealed no reduction in the rate of cardiovascular death, stroke or heart attack in those who consumed fish or fish oils on a regular basis. (American Journal of Epidemiology 142(2)166-75, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

FISH INTAKE/MERCURY LEVELS/HEART DISEASE
High consumption of mercury-containing freshwater fish may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular or heart disease according to a report from Finland. Many are now advocating the high intake of fish to reduce heart disease, but this report is based on a group of men in Finland, who despite a high fish intake, have exceptionally high levels of coronary heart disease. (Circulation 91:654-655, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

ANXIETY/HEART DISEASE
Anxiety disorders increase the risk of fatal coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death. Anxiety disorders include panic disorders and phobic anxiety. (Circulation 90:2225-2229, November 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin

EXERCISE/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Lower extremity exercise such as walking, jogging and cycling lowered blood pressure in hypertensive adults. (American Journal of Hypertension 7:115-119, 1994) The large muscles of the legs may be the most important regulators of sodium retention in the body. Copyright Phylis Austin

BLOOD PRESSURE/COGNITIVE FUNCTION
Those who have high systolic blood pressure during midlife are at increased risk of cognitive impairment in old age. (Journal of the American Medical Association 274(23)1846-1851, December 20, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

WALKING/ELDERLY/HEART DISEASE
Walking more than four hours a week significantly reduces the risk of heart disease or death from heart disease in the elderly. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society 44: 113- 120, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

FIBER/HEART DISEASE
High levels of fiber intake from cereals, fruits and vegetables decrease the risk of coronary heart disease in men. Cereal fiber seemed to be the most effective. (Journal of the American Medical Association 275(6)447-451, February 14, 1996; Physician and Sportsmedicine 24(4)18-19, April 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/BREATHING
Poor breathing technique may contribute to high blood pressure, according to a recent study from the National Institute on Aging. Shallow breathing decreases the excretion of sodium from the body; increased sodium may contribute to high blood pressure. Shallow breathing utilizes the thorax rather than the abdominal muscles. Breathing should be done from the abdomen. Observe whether your breathing movements cause your abdomen or chest to move. Abdominal breathing should be the normal pattern. (Alternatives 6(10)75-77, April 1996, Psychosomatic Medicine 57(4)373-80, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

EXERCISE/CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Arterial blood flow is improved in congestive heart failure patients who exercise, possibly by increased blood vessel release of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes the arterioles, thus increasing blood flow. (Circulation 93(2)210-214, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

L-CARNITINE/ANGINA PECTORIS/HEART FAILURE/CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA
L-carnitine supplementation may prove to be helpful following a suspected heart attack, according to a study from India and the Department of Nutrition at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Researchers observed less angina pectoris, improvement in heart failure, fewer episodes of irregular heart rates, and fewer deaths from heart disease in the individuals who took L-carnitine supplements. (Postgraduate Medical Journal 72:45-50, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

GARLIC/THROMBOSIS
One fresh garlic clove per day may protect against the development of blood clots. (Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 53:211-212, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS
A wide variety of medications given to lower high blood pressure have adverse effects such as depression, sexual dysfunction or impotence, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and low blood pressure. Diuretics are often given in association with other medications. Recent studies have shown that diuretics cause an 11-fold increase in diabetes mellitus. (British Medical Journal, March 26, 1994; What Doctors Don't Tell You 5(11)1, 3, March 1995) Proper diet and exercise will go far toward controlling high blood pressure without medication. Copyright Phylis Austin

MATERNAL DIET/HYPERTENSION IN OFFSPRING
The adult blood pressure of individuals whose mothers consumed more than 50 g. of animal protein per day during the pregnancy tends to be higher than a control group whose mothers consumed less animal protein.
The babies of women who consumed a high proportion of their calories as protein, particularly animal protein, also had lower birthweight. Earlier studies have shown that low birthweight infants are more likely to have high blood pressure in adulthood. (British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 103:273-280, March 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

FIBER/HEART ATTACKS
A high-fiber diet may reduce the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) according to a recent study of over 21,000 men. The consumption of each additional 10 grams of fiber per day reduced the risk of death from heart attack by 17 percent.
The researchers speculate that fiber may function as an anticoagulant.
The American Heart Association recommends the consumption of 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day, but the typical United States male consumes about 17 grams per day. (Circulation 94:2720-2727, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

GARLIC/CHOLESTEROL/BLOOD PRESSURE
Garlic, in conjunction with a cholesterol-lowering diet can effectively reduce cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. The consumption of 7.2 g. of aged garlic extract daily over the course of six months lowered both cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. The researchers feel confident that fresh garlic would produce the same benefits. Earlier studies have shown cholesterol reduction from 9 to 12 percent. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 64:855-870, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

NICOTINE GUM/HEART DISEASE
While nicotine gum may help a person stop smoking, its long-term use may increase one's risk of heart disease. Nicotine gum may produce hyperinsulinemia (abnormally high levels of insulin production) and insulin resistance. (Circulation 94:878-881, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

MEDITERRANEAN DIET/HEART DISEASE
A study from Lyon, France reports that the typical Mediterranean diet consumed after a person has had a heart attack decreases the risk of further cardiovascular complications. A strict adherence to the diet decreased the risk of a second heart attack, stroke, angina, pulmonary embolism, or death from heart disease by 76 percent. The control group was given a diet similar to the Step 1 diet of the American Heart Association, while the study group consumed a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and olive oil. The Mediterranean diet provides less than 35 percent of total energy as fat, less than 10 percent as saturated fat, less than 4 percent as linolenic acid and 0.6 percent or more as alpha- linolenic acid. The 600 subjects were followed for 27 months. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology 28:1103-1108, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

STRESS/HEART
Stress, physical or mental, increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output. These changes may cause damage to the heart in persons susceptible to heart disease, according to reports from the Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute. (Circulation 94:2402-2409, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

TELEVISION/CARDIOVASCULAR RISK
A study of over 4,000 young people showed that those who habitually viewed four or more hours of television per day were more likely to be overweight, to smoke, to use alcohol, to be depressed or hostile. (Annals of Epidemiology 6:154-159, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

SNORING/SLEEP APNEA/MENTAL CONFUSION/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Snoring and/or sleep apnea may cause poor mental function in elderly persons, greatly decreasing their quality of life. A study of 1400 elderly French citizens revealed that women who suffer sleep disordered breathing (SDB) are more likely to suffer depression. Both men and women who suffer SDB and reported daytime sleepiness had deficits in abstract reasoning ability, poor memory, and reduced attention span. A few case reports have suggested that dementia may be reversible when SDB is properly treated.
A number of recent studies suggest that vascular dementia may be far more common than we have previously suspected; some wonder if it may not occur as often as does Alzheimer's disease. Blood flow in the brain is reduced during episodes of SDB. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society 44:1407-1409, and 1287- 1294, 1996)
Another study concludes that individuals who suffer SDB may have more difficulty controlling high blood pressure. Antihypertensive medications seem less effective in persons with SDB. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society 44:1295-1300, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

MAGNESIUM/VARIANT ANGINA
Low levels of magnesium appear to increase the severity and incidence of variant angina according to a report from Fukui Medical School in Fukui, Japan. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology 28:897-902, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

LIFESTYLE/ARTERY CLOGGING
Losing weight, exercising, cessation of smoking, and reducing cholesterol and fat in the diet produce regression of artery clogging, even without the use of anti-cholesterol medications. Regression of the clogging in the lifestyle group was as rapid as the maximum expected rate in those given medication. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 65:1000-1004, 1997) Copyright Phylis Austin

WEIGHT LOSS/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
A person suffering from high blood pressure is typically told to eliminate salt from their diet, but a recent study indicates that weight loss is as effective as salt restriction in controlling high blood pressure. (Archives of Internal Medicine 157:657-667, 1997) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHOLESTEROL/OXIDATION/POWDERED EGGS/BAKED GOODS
Commercially available baked goods such as cookies and snack foods are often made using powdered eggs. Analysis of some of these products revealed increased cholesterol oxidation in these products. Some feel that cholesterol oxidation products may damage or kill tissue cells, be mutagenic (cause a change in genes), cause atherosclerosis, or greatly increase the risk of cancer. (Journal of Food Science 60:913-916, September-October 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHOLESTEROL/CANCER
Many have felt that low cholesterol levels increase one's risk of cancer, as cancer patients sometimes have low cholesterol levels. A recent review from the Department of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Department of Oncology at the University of Vienna, Austria, determined that there is no indication that low cholesterol levels contribute to the development of cancer. (Journal of Clinical Oncology 14:3043-3048, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

MILK CONSUMPTION/CHOLESTEROL
A study of Japanese men revealed that those who consumed at least one glass of cow's milk per day had higher levels of serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDH-cholesterol. The traditional Japanese diet, low in dairy products, is being replaced by a Western diet, and with this change the incidence of deaths from cardiovascular disease has increased. (Journal of the American College of Nutrition 15(6)625-629, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/BRAIN CHANGES IN ELDERLY
Structural changes occur in the human brain as we age. High blood pressure accelerates these changes, particularly shrinking the temporal and occipital regions. (Stroke 28:1410-1417, 1997) ED - Since most persons with high blood pressure who would participate in such a study are under the care of physicians who use drug medications to treat their hypertension we postulate that it is possible that the medications cause the shrinkage. We would like to see a comparison of patients treated with drugs and those treated with diet, weight loss, and herbal remedies. Copyright Phylis Austin