New Guidelines For Heart

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology issued new guidelines for helping people with heart disease avoid more trouble. The new guidelines come as the result of a number of new trials completed and apply to a wide range of patients: Those who have had heart attacks, those with the variety of heart problems called acute coronary syndromes, and those with other blood vessel conditions such as peripheral arterial disease.

For example, the new rules recommend that anyone with heart disease get a flu shot every year. People diagnosed with heart disease should get 30 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, at least five, and preferably seven, days a week. The old guidelines called for this type of exercise 3 or 4 days a week.

The old guidelines recommended that blood levels of LDL cholesterol, the bad kind that clogs arteries, should stay below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and, ideally, below 70 mg/dL for very high-risk patients. Those guidelines are now recommended for all people with established heart disease. Levels of all blood fats, excluding HDL cholesterol -- the good kind that helps keep arteries clear -- should be kept under 100 milligrams per deciliters.

Blood pressure still should be no more than 140 over 90 for most patients, and less than 130 over 80 for people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

For diabetes management, a test for blood sugar levels is recommended every 2 to 3 months, with the desired level kept to less than 7 percent.

The guidelines recommended lower dosage of aspirin for patients with heart disease or other blood vessel problems such as peripheral arterial disease -- between 75 and 162 milligrams a day. The old rule allowed daily amounts as high as 325 milligrams.

As for weight, the recommended body mass index (BMI) is between 18.5 to 24.8, with waist circumference less than 40 inches for men and less than 35 inches for women (Statistically, the obesity starts at a BMI of 30).