All aboard? See your physician first
You’re ready to escape the cold and have been counting the days until your cruise ship leaves the dock. Before you zip up your suitcase, see your doctor for a checkup, especially if you have a heart condition. In a two-year study of 100 cruise ship passengers who developed a heart condition that required on-board medical attention, 10 percent had cardiac symptoms in the days or weeks before boarding the ship. As reported in The American Journal of Cardiology, ill passengers most commonly complained of chest pain and 73 required evacuation to a local hospital. While on-board medical centers may be able to perform blood work, chest X-rays and cardiac monitoring and even prescribe medication, they can’t provide more extensive care. Help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip by seeing your physician for a checkup before you set sail. Have him or her provide you with your medical history and a complete list of your medications. Another good tip: Consider purchasing medical travel insurance to cover any off-ship emergency medical transportation.

Warning for users of weight-loss drug
The prescription weight-loss drug Meridia (sibutramine) can help people lose weight, but those who have a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack), irregular heartbeat, congestive heart failure, peripheral artery disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure should avoid the drug. The Food and Drug Administration is warning people with a history of these problems not to take the diet drug, because it could increase the chance of having a heart attack or stroke. The drug, which now carries a stronger warning for such users, was deemed unsafe for this group after a study of 10,000 adults found a slightly elevated risk of heart problems in those on Meridia compared to those not taking the drug. The study participants were over age 55, overweight or obese and had a history of heart disease or diabetes. If you’re currently taking Meridia, talk with your doctor about the safety of doing so.

Chocolate really is a cure-all

Looking for another way to combat stress—beyond meditation and other relaxation techniques? Try some chocolate. Researchers in the Netherlands found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate daily for two weeks corrected stress-related chemical imbalances and lowered levels of a stress hormone called cortisol in people who were frazzled. The study was small, with only 30 participants, and the Nestle Research Center helped conduct the research. But the findings fall in line with the health benefits other scientists are discovering: Organic compounds found in chocolate (known as flavonoids) may help fight cell damage and improve cardiovascular health by bettering blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

How does your heart rate?

Curious about how your heart is faring? The American Heart Association has a cool way to sneak a peak into the state of your ticker. “My Life Check” grades you based on a checklist of seven keys to a healthy heart. Dubbed the “Simple Seven,” they are:

1. Never having smoked or quitting more than a year ago
2. Getting enough exercise—shooting for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity each week
3. Having at least four key parts of a healthy diet, such as eating fewer calories, less saturated and trans fats, more fruits and vegetables and less sodium (under 1,500 mg)
4. Having total cholesterol levels lower than 200 mg/dL
5. Having a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25
6. Keeping blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg
7. Having fasting blood sugar below 100 mg/dL

To see how you’re doing in each of the seven areas, log on to http://www.heart.org/MyLifeCheck. Following the assessment, you’ll get your personal heart score and recommendations for setting healthier heart goals, such as fitting in fitness or tweaking your diet.