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Blumenthal
Talk to the Expert: Dr. Blumenthal
Meet Dr. Roger S. Blumenthal, MD, FACC, FCCP, FAHA, a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Blumenthal was the principal developer of the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, and he is the Director of Preventive Cardiology at Johns Hopkins.
More on Dr. Blumenthal.
You may be interested in other topics such as making healthy lifestyle changes or stress management. Email your question to info@sistertosister.org.
Here are this month’s questions and answers:
- What effect, if any, does menopause have on heart risk factors?
After menopause, one's blood pressure, blood sugar, and LDL-cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) start to rise. It is still unclear how much of this is due to less circulating estrogen and how much is due to the fact that men and women both tend to get less active after age 55. We all need to work harder at exercise when we get older since our metabolism slows down and we don't need as many calories to maintain our weight.
- Does having children in your late 30's early 40's add to the risk for heart disease and, if so, how?
There have been conflicting studies that have looked at the effects of late child bearing on risk of cancer as well as heart disease. The bulk of the data would suggest that there is no significant impact on one's heart disease risk.
- Is there an age at which almost any woman becomes susceptible to high blood pressure?
People who are overweight and less active are most prone to high blood pressure. Regular brisk walks and better dietary habits with less salt intake are key. We recommend that all adults get a pedometer and put it on their slacks. The goal is to walk 10,000+ steps a day at least 3 times a week if you are hyperensive.
- Do women get the same heart attack warnings as men?
Most of the time, this is the case. However, older women and men may be more apt to present with shortness of breath or nausea or arm discomfort before developing the more typical chest pressure and sweating.
- If I am 50 lbs overweight, have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol, can I lose the 50 lbs and expect the other risk factors to go away or cease to use required medicines and the CPAP machine?
Your goal should be to lose about 3 pounds a month through better dietary and exercise habits. Over the course of a year, you will lose ~36 pounds and this will do wonders for your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sleep apnea. If you don't take action now, you will be at high risk for a future heart attack or stroke. You can do it. Get started today.
- I'm 37 and have mitral valve prolapse and an arrhythmia that I take Nadolol for. The past couple of years have been extremely stressful and I would like to know what I can do starting today to help repair any stress related harm that may have been caused. Should I go on a very regimented diet and exercise plan to really boost my health?
Definitely. Please try to increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and fiber and decrease your intake of sweets, fatty and fried foods, and unhealthy snacks and desserts. Get a pedometer and start tracking how many steps a day that you walk. Aim to reach 10,000 steps a day most days of the week. Accusplit Eagle is a reliable, inexpensive brand. Take action and get more out of life.
- I do cardio (30 minutes) and weights (approximately 30 minutes) three days per week and 30 minutes of cardio seven days per week. When I am doing cardio I experience tightness and discomfort in my chest and numbness and discomfort in my left arm/shoulder and hand. I also experience this sometimes while lying in bed at night; sometimes it wakes me up as well. I experience these same situations sometimes while doing housework (e.g. vacuuming) or doing yard work (mowing the lawn). It is enough to force me to slow down whatever I am doing and sometimes takes quite some time for the unpleasant sensations to lessen. For an example, I just completed my 30 minute cardio for today and had an episode of this type. It has been at least 20 minutes or more and my chest and left arm are both still uncomfortable. I am 48 years old, 5' 7" tall and weigh approximately 158 pounds.
It would be prudent to see your doctor about these symptoms. Your physician may want to have you do an exercise treadmill test to assess your exercise tolerance and to rule out any decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. It would also be a good idea for you and your health care provider to reassess your cardiac risk factor status.
Ask the Expert Archive
- Edward Roccella, PhD, MPH on high blood pressure.
