Cholesterol

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Cholesterol's Effect on the...
• Cholesterol's Effect on the...
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Lifestyle Changes
• Treatment
• Resources
• References

• LDL (“bad") cholesterol goals for children should be 190 mg/dL or less for children without heart disease risk factors and 160 mg/dL or less for children with heart disease risk factors.
• Children who are overweight or obese, as well as those with a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease, should get their cholesterol levels checked.
• For overweight and obese children with cholesterol imbalances, diet changes and exercise should be tried before drug treatment. For children with cholesterol imbalances who have a family history of cholesterol and heart problems, statins are the best first-line drug therapy.

• Garlic, whether raw or in supplement form, does not help lower LDL in patients with moderately high LDL levels, according to a 2007 Archives of Internal Medicine Study.
• Policosanol, a dietary supplement derived from sugar cane, has no effect on cholesterol, indicates a 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) study.

• In a 2007 JAMA comparison study of four diet plans (Atkins, Ornish, Zone, and LEARN), the low-carbohydrate Atkins diet was best at raising HDL (“good cholesterol”) levels and lowering triglyceride levels, but did not affect LDL levels. - 0 Comments
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Hypercholesterolemia

• Signs and Symptoms
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Preventive Care
• Treatment Approach
• Other Considerations
• Supporting Research

Coronary artery disease

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Prognosis
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Managing Heart Disease
• Anti-Clotting Medications...
• Other Medications
• Surgery
• Coronary Artery Bypass Graf...
• Angioplasty and Stents
• Other Treatments
• Resources
• References

• Stents coated with drugs may have a slightly higher risk of causing blood clots than bare metal stents, according to FDA meetings held in late 2006. - 0 Comments
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Heart-healthy diet

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Dietary Changes
• Lifestyle Changes
• Resources
• References

• In 2006, the American Heart Association (AHA) revised its dietary and lifestyle recommendations. The new guidelines specifically recommend limiting daily saturated fat intake to less than 7% and trans fats to less than 1% of total daily calories.
• The AHA recommends consuming plenty of deep-colored vegetables and fruits, eating oily fish at least twice a week, and including whole grains in your daily diet.

• Women with existing heart disease may consider taking fish oil supplements, suggests 2007 AHA guidelines. Women should include a variety of low-mercury fish in their diet. - 3 Comments
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Heart attack and acute coronary syndrome

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Symptoms
• Prognosis
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery
• Rehabilitation
• Resources
• References

Diabetes diet

• Highlights
• Introduction
• General Dietary Guidelines...
• Major Food Components
• Weight Control for Type 2 D...
• Heart-Healthy Diets
• Diabetic Exchange Lists
• Exercise
• Resources
• References

Atherosclerosis

• Signs and Symptoms
• What Causes It?
• Risk Factors
• What to Expect at Your Provider's Office
• Preventive Care
• Treatment Options
• Other Considerations
• Supporting Research

Diabetes - type 2

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Screening Tests
• Treatment
• Lifestyle Changes
• Medications
• Long-Term Complications
• Emergency Complications
• Resources
• References

• Sitagliptin (Januvia), the first in a new class of diabetes drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors, was approved in 2006.
• Janumet, a 2-in-1 pill that contains both sitagliptin and metformin, was approved in 2007.
• These drugs are taken by mouth and may be more convenient for patients than exenatide (Byetta), a similar drug. DPP-4 inhibitors do not cause weight gain and may pose a lower risk for hypoglycemia than some other diabetes drugs.