As we age, our doctors tell us to stay active and keep a healthy lifestyle. They take our blood pressure, recite a few numbers, and possibly talk about how to change the number. But what do those numbers mean? Blood pressure is read as a fraction (i.e. 117/76) and is measured in millimeters of mercury [...]

Research published online Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that taking a daily multivitamin offers no more protection against heart attack, stroke or death from cardiovascular disease than taking a daily placebo pill.  The study was based on the Physicians’ Health Study II (PHS II), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that [...]

Eating more legumes, such as beans, lentils and chickpeas, can lower blood sugar, blood pressure MONDAY, Oct 22 (HealthDay News) — People suffering from type 2 diabetes can see an improvement in both their blood sugar levels and blood pressure if they add beans and other legumes to their diet, Canadian researchers report. Chickpeas, lentils [...]

Measuring your progress is the best way to stay on track whether you’re reducing body fat, tracking your cholesterol, testing your eyesight or monitoring your heart rate.  AllegroMedical.com has a fantastic selection of the latest diagnostic products for home or professional use. Have you ever wanted to know how many steps you take during the day? [...]

Starting the year with a list of New Year’s Resolutions may be as commonplace as ending the year without them. Perhaps therein lies the problem – starting with a list of resolutions intead of just one specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based (S.M.A.R.T.) goal . . .  but I digress.  Below are a few tricks to improve your chances [...]

It’s a shame we can’t feel our blood pressure.  It’s an even bigger shame when someone suffers a stroke, develops heart disease or flat out dies simply because they were unaware of their high blood pressure.  If you rarely get your blood pressure tested, or test only at doctor visits, you may be missing the bigger picture.  Unfortunately, [...]

You may have high blood pressure and not even know it.  After all, you can’t feel your blood pressure even when it is too high.  That’s why it is called the silent killer.  How do you know what your blood pressure is?  If you get regular check-ups you probably have an idea of your BP range [...]