Breast test offers a clue to heart disease say scientist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai in N.Y. City. In their study, 70% of women whose mammograms showed calcium buildup in breast arteries had the same level of calcification in their coronary arteries, an early sign of heart disease. “This information is available on every mammogram, with no additional cost or radiation exposure.” (Experts advise asking your radiologist if your scan shows calcification and discussing results with your health-care provider).

-Study author Harvey Hecht, M.D. director of cardiovascular imaging at
Mt. Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital

Researchers at UCLA say that adding 2 oz of pomegranate juice to your daily glass of orange juice boost your skin’s natural UV protection by 26 percent. Pomegranate contains five times more ellagic acid (polyphenol antioxidant) than other fruit. This antioxidant soaks into skin cells, where it acts as sun block

Many health problems announce themselves with obvious symptoms.
High cholesterol is not one of them.
The American heart Association says that anybody over the age oaf 2 should follow a healthy diet to control cholesterol, and the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that adults age 20 and older get a fasting “lipoprotein profile” every five years. This should include total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol and triglycerides.

What do Numbers mean?
Total cholesterol:
Less than 200 mg/dl is desirable
200-239 mg/dl is borderline High
240mg/dl and above is High.

LDL Cholesterol:
Less than 100 mg/dl is Optimal
100-129 mg/dl is Near Optimal
130-159 mg/dl is Borderline High
160-189 mg/dl is High
190 mg/dl and above is Very High

HDL Cholesterol:
HDL protects the heart, so higher levels are better. 60 or above is ideal.
Less than 40 in men and 50 in women is low.

Think of breast cancer and you may also think of “finding a lump.”
But women need to be aware of another kind of breast cancer, one that rarely results in a lump.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) occurs when cancer cells clog the lymph vessels in the skin over the breast. Instead of forming lumps, IBC cells tend to spread out in the breast tissue, often in “sheets.” This produces unique symptoms.
IBC is uncommon, adding up to about one percent of all breast cancer cases, but it can strike at a younger age than other breast cancers. It is also very aggressive.
Symptoms can develop rapidly, over a period of days or weeks.

The affected breast may:
•Feel firmer than the other breast.
•Look red and swollen and feel warm.
•Have red spots that are very itchy and may at first resemble a spider bite.
•Have skin that is dimpled or pitted, resembling and orange peel.
•Have a nipple that has flattened or turned inward.
In most cases, these symptoms are caused by breast infections or other non-cancerous health problems. However, because IBC grows quickly, it’s important to inform your doctor about any unusual changes in your breasts.
-CareWise News-