Heart beat: DASH diet ignored
While the DASH diet helps people lower their blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, fewer people are following it.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Month: April 2010
Recovering from a stroke
After a stroke, the body can often recover some functions on its own if medical care is received promptly, but many people also need some form of rehabilatation program or physical, speech, or occupational therapy.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Heart Beat: Big chill for cardiac arrest
Rapid cooling of cardiac arrest victims increases their chances of eventual survival by reducing the extent of damage caused by lack of oxygen to the brain when the heart stops.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
When high cholesterol is a family affair
A form of high cholesterol that is inherited, called familial hypercholesterolemia, can cause LDL levels of 200 or higher. Those who have it are at high risk for heart disease.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Treating lumbar spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord or its nerves. Typically doctors recommend conservative treatment, mainly physical therapy and pain medication. Surgery may be needed if a patient does not improve.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Pets and your health
There are many benefits to pet ownership, such as physical activity, social interaction, and companionship. Domestic animals can carry infections, but keeping pets healthy and following sensible precautions will minimize the risk.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Ask the doctor: Is red yeast rice good for lowering cholesterol?
I saw a newspaper column that said red yeast rice is a safer, more effective way to treat high cholesterol than statin drugs. Is that true?
Content restricted. Requires subscription
By the way, doctor: Should I take an intravenous drug for osteoporosis?
I’ve been taking a Fosamax pill once a week for two years for osteoporosis. I heard that there is an intravenous drug for osteoporosis that’s taken just once a year. Should I consider switching to it?
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Heart beat: Coffee: A connection to good health?
Coffee lovers should be reassured by a study showing that death rates among coffee drinkers were no higher than for people who did not drink coffee.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Exercise stress test
The exercise stress test is used to identify potential problems with heart rate, rhythm, or blood pressure. It is used when there is cause to suspect a person has heart disease, but it does not make sense for healthy people to have the test.
Content restricted. Requires subscription