Research

Sad findings: Heart patients with mild to moderate depression are more likely to suffer ischemia - reduction of blood flow to the heart - during emotional stress, say researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

The findings might explain why depressed heart patients have worse overall outcomes.

Ischemia, usually caused by blockages in the artery, can lead to chest pain, heart attack or death.

Depression is common in patients with ischemic heart disease and people recovering from attacks, and it has been associated with greater risk of future heart disease and death.

"The challenge for us, in this fast-paced world, is to come up with ways to reduce mental stresses, such as exercise or other pleasurable physical activities," said Dr. Wei Jang, lead author of the study.

Depressed patients did not show signs of ischemia during exercise testing, suggesting that mental and physical stress act on the heart differently.

Hot news

Risk ratio: New research suggests that the ratio of "good" to "bad" cholesterol (HDL to LDL) is a better indicator of heart disease risk than the individual levels of each kind of cholesterol.

The study from the New York Harbor VA Medical Center and the New York University School of Medicine suggests that the ratios of HDL to LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol to LDL predict risk more accurately than standard methods.

According to the study, patients who had higher ratios of bad to good cholesterol had higher risk for heart disease.

The findings could mean that diets that lower both types of cholesterol could be less beneficial than diets that boost "good" cholesterol.

Tips

Short fuse: Anger causes headaches. To short-circuit your next outburst (and the pain that follows), try these tips from Dr. Robert Nicholson of St. Louis University:

• Take three deep breaths to help relax.

• Identify the cause of your anger before you react.

• Express yourself in a non-confrontational way.

• Change your environment by going for a walk or listening to music.

• Keep things in perspective by not using words like "always" or "never."

• Let go of what you can't control.

• Forgive.

Calendar

Fair: Mercy Franciscan Hospital Western Hills will hold a health and wellness fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 2 at the HealthPlex, 3131 Queen City Ave. Screenings and question-and-answer sessions will be available. (513) 389-5745 or www.e-mercy.com.

Shelf help

No burn: Eating for Acid Reflux (Marlowe & Co.; $16.95) by Jill Sklar and Annabel Cohen combines advice and recipes for controlling gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330; or e-mail, pofarrell@enquirer.com