St. Vincent Heartbeat: Berries Reduce Risk for Heart Attack, BPA Concerns & Migraine Links to Heart Health
By: Jancey Sheats, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 23, 2013
Eating colorful berries may help prevent a heart attack.
Fruits and vegetables like grapes and eggplant are high in flavonoids, which have been shown in lab studies to have heart-healthy effects.
Harvard researchers followed 93,000 women for nearly two decades and found those who ate the most berries (at least three servings a week) reduced their risk of a heart attack by one-third.
Also in heart-related news, preliminary new research links BPA exposure to the potential for kidney and heart problems.
BPA is a chemical found in many aluminum cans,and plastic bottles, and has been largely eliminated from baby bottles in recent years.
The chemical mimics estrogen when it gets into the body, and many experts say it could affect a child's development.
A new study where researchers analyzed data on kids and teens, those with the highest amounts of BPA in their system were more likely to have potential early markers for kidney impairment and a future risk for heart disease.
Finally, if you're a woman who suffers migraines with auras, you are at a greater risk for heart disease and stroke.
In a recent study, researchers found that migraine with aura was the second strongest contributor to the risk of heart attack and strokes; ahead of diabetes, smoking, obesity and family history.
Another study found a link between migraines, contraceptives and blood clots.
Data showed women with migraines using newer forms of hormonal contraception like the patch or ring were more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis.
Fruits and vegetables like grapes and eggplant are high in flavonoids, which have been shown in lab studies to have heart-healthy effects.
Harvard researchers followed 93,000 women for nearly two decades and found those who ate the most berries (at least three servings a week) reduced their risk of a heart attack by one-third.
Also in heart-related news, preliminary new research links BPA exposure to the potential for kidney and heart problems.
BPA is a chemical found in many aluminum cans,and plastic bottles, and has been largely eliminated from baby bottles in recent years.
The chemical mimics estrogen when it gets into the body, and many experts say it could affect a child's development.
A new study where researchers analyzed data on kids and teens, those with the highest amounts of BPA in their system were more likely to have potential early markers for kidney impairment and a future risk for heart disease.
Finally, if you're a woman who suffers migraines with auras, you are at a greater risk for heart disease and stroke.
In a recent study, researchers found that migraine with aura was the second strongest contributor to the risk of heart attack and strokes; ahead of diabetes, smoking, obesity and family history.
Another study found a link between migraines, contraceptives and blood clots.
Data showed women with migraines using newer forms of hormonal contraception like the patch or ring were more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis.
