A minimally invasive version of heart surgery to replace or repair a mitral or aortic valve has shown excellent results and has a shorter recovery time on average, making it an option that older people should consider.
Mitral valve prolapse is a bulging of the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. Most people with the condition need no treatment and can expect to have a normal life span, though in certain cases the valve can start to leak.
A very small percentage of those who receive a drug-coated stent experience a clot. The most likely cause is discontinuing the clot-preventing combination of aspirin and Plavix too soon after surgery.
Angioplasty to treat chest pain will be most efffective if the procedure is done within the first 12 hours after onset. If you have had symptoms for longer, drug treatment is likely to be as effective as angioplasty.
A number of studies support the advice that women ages 55 to 79 should take a low-dose aspirin daily to reduce their risk of stroke. Aspirin does increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, so this should be factored into the decision.
I have a prescription for nitroglycerin, but I rarely need it. Every once in a while on the treadmill, I feel my chest tighten up. I take a pill, then continue exercising. I read a column by a doctor who said this is “ludicrous.” What do you think?
Pelvic organ prolapse is more common in women who have given birth vaginally, but a study of Swedish women who had prolapse identified several other potential causes related to lifestyle and other health conditions.
The average American’s cholesterol level has dropped for the first time, but this is due more to the prevalence of statin drugs than to improvement in people’s dietary habits.
An analysis of studies found that regular consumption of cranberry juice (or other cranberry products) helped reduce the likelihood of urinary tract infections in women who had a history of recurrent UTIs.
Summer’s heat and humidity can be dangerous. It’s important to stay hydrated, avoid excessive physical exertion and undue sun exposure on hot, humid days, and be alert for warning signs pf heat exhaustion or heat stroke.