Heart attacks are much less deadly than they used to be, primarily due to advances in knowledge and understanding of the underlying cause of heart attacks, and to the prevalence of specialized coronary care units.
Long QT syndrome is a lengthening of part of the heart’s normal rhythm that occurs when its muscle cells do not properly process certain substances. The resulting erratic heart rhythm can cause fainting, shortness of breath, and possibly death.
HDL cholesterol can be boosted by taking niacin or a fibrate, but there are possible side effects to these medications. Lifestyle changes like exercising, losing weight, and paying attention to diet should help boost HDL.
What can you tell me about the mineral strontium, which is advertised for treating osteoporosis?
Researchers claim that only 8% of Americans are healthy enough to remain free of cardiovascular disease without the assistance of a medication.
Ductal carcinoma in situ is a very early and highly curable form of breast cancer in which abnormal cells are still in the process of evolving into cancer cells. Increased use of mammography means that the disease is being diagnosed and treated earlier.
Painful conditions like de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, inflammation of the tendons that move the thumb, and stenosing tenosynovitis, or trigger finger, when a digit becomes locked, can develop due to overuse or repetitive movement.
What happens when a stent gets clogged up? Someone told me that a new one gets put over the plugged-up one, but that doesn’t sound right.
My sense of taste isn’t as good as it was a few months ago. I started taking Capoten on top of the diuretic I have been taking for some time to control my blood pressure. Could the new drug be affecting my sense of taste? If it is, what can I do about it?
The hsCRP test measures the blood level of C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation. Whether or not the test is worthwhile depends on a person’s level of cardiovascular risk and whether there is a family history of heart disease.