Heart disease-related deaths are falling. Experts attribute this to the declining number of smokers in America and efforts by individuals to lower their cholesterol and blood pressure. But with more and more Americans becoming obese—nearly as bad for the heart as smoking—the trend to healthier hearts can't be counted on to continue.http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorTue, 07 Oct 2008 7:07:55 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38714/heart-disease-linked-to-depression.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPeople suffering from heart disease are three times more likely to be depressed, according to a study that found young women particularly at risk. Researchers urged doctors to monitor heart patients for depression, reports the San Francisco Chronicle , noting that it not only affects quality of life but can adversely a patient's prognosis. Some 80 million Americans suffer from heart disease.http://www.newser.com/story/38714/heart-disease-linked-to-depression.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 29 Sep 2008 21:21:59 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38649/combo-heart-pills-enter-trials-in-london.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTrials begin this week in London on a cheap "polypill" that could cut heart attack and stroke deaths in half worldwide, the Guardian reports. The pill combines four drugs—aspirin, a cholesterol-lowering statin, an ACE inhibitor, and thiazine to battle high blood pressure. The aim is to sell it—for about $1 a month—over the counter at pharmacies in the developing world, where cardiovascular disease is soaring.http://www.newser.com/story/38649/combo-heart-pills-enter-trials-in-london.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 29 Sep 2008 6:45:42 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38234/lung-drugs-linked-to-heart-risks-study.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTwo medications widely prescribed to emphysema and chronic bronchitis sufferers significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease, USA Today reports. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed a 53% increased risk of heart attacks and an 80% increased risk of cardiovascular death among patients taking tiotropium or ipatropium, sold as Spiriva and Atrovent.http://www.newser.com/story/38234/lung-drugs-linked-to-heart-risks-study.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 24 Sep 2008 10:54:36 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37868/not-tonight-honey-i-have-a-stroke.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWomen may have a new excuse to avoid hanky panky, the Mom Logic blog notes: the danger of a stroke. It seems a 35-year-old woman suffered one during orgasm, though she has since made a full recovery. Such strokes—caused by a minor heart defect that triggers blod clots during moments of exertion—are extremely rare and more common in men.http://www.newser.com/story/37868/not-tonight-honey-i-have-a-stroke.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 19 Sep 2008 5:32:22 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37581/heart-disease-diabetes-linked-to-everyday-bpa.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA chemical found in many containers commonly used by Americans is linked to heart disease and diabetes in a new study, the Chicago Tribune reports. The first large-scale human study of Bisphenol A follows a government advisory on using the chemical near food, and a report connecting it to ill effects on fetal brain and prostate-gland development.http://www.newser.com/story/37581/heart-disease-diabetes-linked-to-everyday-bpa.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 16 Sep 2008 10:24:27 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/34673/heavy-and-healthy-obese-can-be-as-fit-as-thin.html?refid=rss_all_defaultOverweight doesn’t necessarily mean unhealthy, two new studies report—nor does thin always mean fit. In a survey of 5,400 men and women, 51% of participants who were overweight and 31.7% who were obese checked out with healthy heart indicators—normal blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other measures. But 23% of those at normal weight had at least two poor results, Reuters reports.http://www.newser.com/story/34673/heavy-and-healthy-obese-can-be-as-fit-as-thin.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 11 Aug 2008 20:30:30 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/34182/brewhaha-over-coffee-muddies-health-facts.html?refid=rss_all_defaultCoffee’s health risks and benefits have been widely debated, often with contradictory “facts” emerging simultaneously—but can they all be right? Yes, Jane Brody writes in the New York Times . For instance, below 550 milligrams of caffeine, beverages are not diuretic (though they are beyond that); and while caffeine causes blood pressure to spike temporarily, long-term hypertension among coffee-drinkers is no more likely.http://www.newser.com/story/34182/brewhaha-over-coffee-muddies-health-facts.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 05 Aug 2008 9:35:06 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/33758/30-mins-daily-wont-cut-it-study.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThirty minutes of moderate exercise daily may not trim off the fat after all, a new study says. University of Pittsburgh researchers say it takes at least 55 minutes per day, five days a week, to keep off the pounds. The study followed 200 overweight women, and found that only those who exercised twice as much as normally suggested were able to cut 10% of their weight.http://www.newser.com/story/33758/30-mins-daily-wont-cut-it-study.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 30 Jul 2008 13:17:06 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/33612/grammer-back-in-hospital.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSitcom star Kelsey Grammer, who suffered a recent heart attack, remains in a New York hospital after checking himself in early yesterday for feeling faint, reports Reuters. The Frasier actor was out promoting his new movie, Swing Vote, when the 53-year-old’s wife escorted him to the hospital for testing. His rep said Grammer was not having another heart attack.http://www.newser.com/story/33612/grammer-back-in-hospital.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 29 Jul 2008 8:00:25 CDT