The secret of avoiding heart disease could come down to which foods are on — or off — your plate.

While you can’t control factors such as age or family history, the choice to adopt a heart-healthy diet can help reduce your risk.

"The goal is not to go on a temporary diet for rapid weight loss, but to make good lifestyle choices to promote well-being permanently," said Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, a Cincinnati-based company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide.

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Serwer and other cardiologists shared with Fox News Digital their nutrition advice for reducing the risk of coronary disease and heart attacks.

Here are some of their tips.

"Foods that contain high levels of trans fats, which are found in many fried foods, are some of the worst offenders," Serwer said. 

Trans saturated fats are artificially created, he noted. They raise levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol, while at the same time lowering high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol. 

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"High levels of bad cholesterol promote coronary atherosclerosis, also known as clogged arteries," Serwer warned.

Dr. Alexander Postalian, a cardiologist at the Texas Heart Institute, warned that simple carbohydrates — including bread and potatoes — are the primary enemy. 

"They get absorbed quickly, raise blood sugar and can get converted into ‘bad’ cholesterol," he said.

Other examples of simple carbohydrates include sugary drinks, sweets, rice and tortillas.

Foods rich in saturated fats, which include red meat, also raise LDL levels, increasing the risk of heart disease, said Serwer.

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Dr. Leonard Ganz, chief medical officer and divisional vice president of medical affairs at Abbott’s cardiac rhythm management business in Sylmar, California, told Fox News Digital that when bacteria in the gut break down meat, one of the metabolites produced is TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) — which may increase the risk of heart and kidney disease, as well as type 2 diabetes. 

"In particular, processed meats such as bacon and sausage have nitrates that may increase inflammation and sodium, ultimately raising blood pressure that may be associated with inflammation," he added.

Dairy also falls into the category of high saturated fats, Serwer said, making it a food to limit or avoid for optimal heart health.

While butter, cream and ice cream are not heart-healthy, the American Heart Association says that reduced-fat yogurt, cheese and milk are safer options for people who have high cholesterol or a history of heart disease.

Foods that are high in sugar, especially those containing high-fructose corn syrup, increase the risk of obesity and diabetes, Serwer warned. 

"Obesity and diabetes are independent risk factors for coronary artery disease, which further adds fuel to the fire for developing atherosclerosis," he added.

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Foods high in sugar and processed carbohydrates, such as white bread, soda and candy, can raise blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, according to Ganz.

While some amount of sodium is essential for the human body, too much can cause blood pressure to spike, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke, experts say.

Some common culprits include deli meats, canned soups and veggies, frozen meals and prepared sauces.

"These typically have a combination of all the worst offenders, to include trans fats, saturated fats, high sodium and sugar," Serwer said.

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These convenience foods are uniquely designed to promote atherosclerosis "in a very effective manner" and should be avoided as much as possible, the doctor advised.

While there is some data to support red wine in moderation, excess alcohol has a direct toxic effect on the heart, Serwer warned.

"Alcoholic drinks are also high in calories and sodium, and can contribute to obesity and high blood pressure," he said.

"These are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and improving overall cardiovascular health," Serwer said.

"There is excellent data for plant-based diets lowering the risk of heart disease — particularly those that are high in fiber," he added.

Green, leafy vegetables provide vitamins and minerals, while nitrates also contribute to healthy blood vessel function, said Ganz.

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"Citrus fruits are also high in potassium, which can lower blood pressure," he added.

Although fruits are rich in simple carbohydrates (simple sugars), Postalian said they are beneficial when eaten in moderation.

"Fruits contain fiber that supports digestion, which slows the absorption of sugar," he said.

These include wheat, oats and brown rice, all of which provide complex carbohydrates and fiber that can help lower bad cholesterol levels, Serwer said.

"Skinless chicken, fish, legumes and nuts are an excellent source of protein without the saturated fat that's often found in red meat," said Serwer.

Some of the lean proteins Postalian recommends include grilled fish, grilled chicken and vegetables — "without a lot of dressing, as these can sneak in additional sugar and calories," he added. 

These foods qualify as healthy fats, Serwer said.

"Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are an excellent source to help improve cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation," he added.

OLIVE OIL IS POPULAR AMONG AMERICANS, BUT IS IT GOOD FOR YOU?

Some fatty fish that are highest in omega-3s include salmon, bluefin tuna, anchovies, herring, mackerel, black cod, sardines, whitefish, striped bass and cobia, according to the American Heart Association.

These foods are all part of the Mediterranean diet, which has long been linked to improved heart health.

Added Ganz, "Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids are great sources of protein and have been associated with lower blood pressure, a better lipid profile and a lower risk of arrhythmia."

Also part of the Mediterranean diet, oils and foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats have antioxidant effects and contribute to blood vessel health, Ganz said. 

"Olive oil is the most obvious example, but other oils, including safflower, sunflower and sesame — and some nuts, such as walnuts and almonds — have similar effects," he added.

Studies have shown that drinking enough water helps maintain healthy sodium levels, which plays a part in preventing heart disease.

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"Proper hydration also helps support overall health and helps avoid injuring the kidneys," Serwer added.

This heart-healthy treat is an unexpected bonus, Ganz said. 

"This dessert is rich in flavonoids, which have antioxidants and blood pressure-lowering effects," he noted.

Beyond choosing the right foods, Serwer pointed out that portion control is "paramount" to avoiding obesity and coronary artery disease.

Postalian agreed, adding, "Being mindful of the energy balance to maintain a healthy weight is very important — how many calories come in, with food, versus how many go out, with exercise and metabolism."

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This was revealed by Alejandro Cambiaso, president of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), and Amelia Reyes Mora, president of AF Comunicación Estratégica, as they unveiled the details of the 6th International Congress on Health and Wellness Tourism to be held from November 1-3 in Santo Domingo and will bring together more than 40 national and international exhibitors.

The event organizers announced part of the results of the second diagnostic study of health and wellness tourism, which offers updated post-pandemic data, which will be presented in its entirety during the congress.

They explained that the country’s position as a health tourism destination is obtained through international measurements where more than 40 variables are evaluated.

According to Listín Diario, they informed that the local quality seal is being developed and will be issued for centers that fulfill all the qualification requirements to enter health tourism.

The data shows that 34,955 houses were fumigated and de-securitized, in addition to the delivery of educational material and other activities aimed at counteracting the spread of the disease in various areas of the country.

The social mobilization carried out during these two days involved the various entities grouped in the Cabinet of Action against Dengue, which also applied some 6,924 units of abate (larvicide), which serves to prevent the production of larvae in tanks and other containers used in water storage for domestic use.

Also, during the day, 1,372 posters or promotional materials were distributed among the 6,991 households visited, and hygiene kits containing chlorine, sponges to smear the tanks, and brochures, among others, were handed out. Fumigation actions were carried out in 56 sectors.

The Ministry of Public Health informed that, with the massive fumigations, the aim is to help reduce the vector population significantly so that the registered cases should decrease in the next few days.

In addition, the Health agency noted that the interventions seek to reduce the intensity of transmission during epidemics and reduce multiple infections of the disease, thus improving environmental health, among other actions, and recalling that dengue serotype three is the most abundant and that this did not circulate in the country since 2019.

From Monday 23 until Friday 27, the eight Health Areas of the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the General Directorate of Strategic and Special Projects (PROPEEP) and other agencies, are intervening in the sectors Mina and Barrio Peña, Guanuma, Sierra Prieta, Mata Mamón, Barrios La Ciénaga, Proyecto habitacional La Zurza and Villas Agrícolas, Capotillo, Cristo Rey, as well as Ensanche Kennedy, Mejoramiento Social, Las Cañitas, San Juan Bosco, San Miguel, Antonio Duvergé and Buenos Aires.

Also, La Agustina, Cristo Rey, Los Girasoles, Los Ríos, Las Caoba, La yuca and Pueblo Nuevo, Pantoja, Pedro Brand and Pueblo Nuevo.

This Tuesday, operations were carried out in Tamarindo, La Zurza, San Juan de la Maguana, 36 Norte, Emma Balaguer, Los Mártires, Máximo Gómez and 35 A streets, as well as the delivery of dengue induction and prevention material and other actions in 21 highway, in Ovando Avenue, Duarte, Moca Street, Callejón Progreso, Obrero and the back 21 in the Villas Agrícolas sector, as well as in Villa María, in Betances, San Martín, Osvaldo Basil, 15, 11 and Máximo Grullón streets. Some 28,312 people have been deployed by the various institutions that make up the Emergency Operations Center COE during the first day of the National Day of Action against Dengue.

The Ministry of Public Health confirms that these campaigns will continue throughout the national territory during the present week.

Grenada will join the Caricom Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality in the vote for or against the implementation of the Octagonal Front of Package warning label

View the full post Octagonal Front of Package warning labels on NOW Grenada.

The researchers evaluated the injectable prescription medication tirzepatide and showed an additional 21.1% weight loss after intensive lifestyle intervention in adults with obesity or who were overweight with weight-related comorbidities, excluding Type 2 diabetes.

Tirzepatide, marketed as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro, mimics the actions of two hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). These hormones work together to stimulate insulin secretion and slow stomach emptying extending the sensation of fullness following a meal. This helps regulate blood sugar levels and causes weight loss.

Gitanjali Srivastava, MD, associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism and medical director of Obesity Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, served as a site investigator for the 72-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of tirzepatide.

“We are excited about the results of the SURMOUNT-3 trial,” said Srivastava. “This medication has already proven to be highly effective as a treatment for persons with Type 2 diabetes. This research provides solid evidence that it is also extremely effective as a tool to achieve significant, life-changing weight loss, in conjunction with a low-calorie diet, exercise and frequent nutrition and behavioral counseling.”

The trial enrolled 806 participants across the United States, including Puerto Rico, and Argentina and Brazil. Before taking tirzepatide or a placebo, participants took part in a 12-week intensive lifestyle intervention.

Participants who had at least a 5% body weight reduction by the end of the 12-week lead-in period were randomized to receive either a placebo or tirzepatide. The starting dose of 2.5 mg of tirzepatide was increased by 2.5 mg every four weeks until a maximum tolerated dose of 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly was achieved.

At the beginning of the study, the mean body weight was 241.4 lbs. (109.5 kg). At the end of the 12-week lead-in period, participants achieved 6.9% (7.6 kg or 16.8 lbs.) mean weight loss.

In a co-primary endpoint, following the lead-in period, participants taking tirzepatide achieved an additional 21.1% mean weight loss. From study entry to 84 weeks, participants achieved a total mean weight loss of 26.6% (29.2 kg or 64.4 lbs.).

Participants taking the placebo achieved a total mean weight loss of 3.8% (4.1 kg or 9.0 lbs.) from study entry over 84 weeks.

The most common side effects from tirzepatide were gastrointestinal, such as nausea, diarrhoea and constipation, which were generally mild to moderate in severity.

“Tirzepatide, following on the heels of semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly for adults with overweight or obesity, brings a new era of incretin-based therapies that can achieve beyond just the clinically meaningful 5% weight loss,” said Srivastava. “These novel therapies are changing the landscape of obesity treatment rapidly, and still more are in development. For persons with obesity, there is now hope coupled with scientific evidence.”

Reference:

Wadden, T.A., Chao, A.M., Machineni, S. et al. Tirzepatide after intensive lifestyle intervention in adults with overweight or obesity: the SURMOUNT-3 phase 3 trial. Nat Med (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02597-w.

Dengue fever is an illness spread by the bite of mosquitoes infected with one of the dengue viruses. Symptoms are usually flu-like but can worsen to severe dengue haemorrhagic fever, a life-threatening condition. Most people who get dengue will not...

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Asked by the media about the current reality of the disease and whether the Government “makes up” the figures, the president was emphatic in pointing out that his Government has acted with “full transparency,” assuring that, as samples of evidence are the epidemiological bulletins reported by the Ministry of Public Health.

“Hiding statistics is dishonest, totally dishonest,” declared the president.

“If we have done anything with statistics, in general terms, it is to be transparent,” he added.

“With Covid they said the same thing and then they came and made an evaluation and even in the evaluation they gave us two more deaths than what we had reported,” said the head of state.

At the Robert Reid Cabral Hospital, there are 368 patients; of these, 363 show signs of alarm.

The Government said that, to date, 12,900 cases of dengue fever have been reported in the country this year, and at least 11 people have died from the disease.

The figures were released by the Minister of Public Health, Daniel Rivera, who added that due to the update of the cases this week, following Monday, the number of dengue cases will reach at least 14,000 affected.

The head of the public health agency pointed out that out of 100 patients treated for febrile symptoms, 16 are positive for dengue. At the same time, the rest are affected by other respiratory viruses, such as influenza.

In a meeting with the media, Rivera pointed out that the results of the weekend journey will begin to be seen in subsequent weeks.

“The reduction, even, from the hospital point of view, has been reducing the number of dengue cases; we currently have a positivity of 16 percent; two months ago we had a positivity of 35 percent, then it dropped to 20 percent, now we are at 16 and we expect that to continue reducing,” Rivera added.

“After the fumigation and elimination of hatcheries, we will see the reduction,” the minister assured.

MOTHERS AND NEWBORNS
On the other hand, the head of state reported that maternal mortality in the Dominican Republic had been reduced by 35% by 2021.

He pointed out that this progress is due to an improvement in the health services of his administration. Regarding neonatal care, he stated that 14 units for diagnosing cardiac pathologies in newborns and seven new neonatal intensive care units have been created.

Odisha: On Monday, a suspected fake doctor was detained by police at Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital in Balasore.

The impersonation was discovered when medical personnel spotted a person prescribing medication to patients, which sparked obvious suspicion. When questioned about his credentials, the suspected impostor argued with the hospital's security guard.

As per a report in Odisha Tv, the police arrived promptly and immediately detained the person from the hospital for additional interrogation.

An investigation is underway to ascertain his identity and medical qualifications.

This incident is not the first of its kind in the region. In a similar case earlier this year, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Bhadrak detained an individual who had impersonated a doctor within the premises of the district headquarters hospital The imposter had come to the hospital dressed as a medical practitioner, claiming to be a new employee, and asked for directions to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department. However, acting with cautiousness, the security officers quickly handed him over to the Bhadrak Town Police for questioning.