A new, injectable drug appears to safely reduce LDL cholesterol, even in people already taking statins, researchers report. The new study was an early test for a type of drug known as a monoclonal antibody. It has to enter the bloodstream through an injection or an intravenous (IV) infusion. The new drug, called REGN727, interferes with an enzyme that keeps the liver from removing LDL from the bloodstream. The study had two parts. The first part, using 72 healthy volunteers, found no safety problems. The second part included 51 people who took a statin but still had high LDL cholesterol. Of these, 21 people had an inherited form and 30 had the usual form. Another 10 people had high LDL but were trying to lower it with diet and exercise only. Everyone received 3 injections within 6 weeks. They received either REGN727 or a placebo.
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Taking a daily low dose of aspirin for several years may reduce cancer risk. It also may slow the growth of cancer and reduce the risk of dying from the disease. The results came from three British studies. Two of them analyzed the data from 51 clinical trials. The clinical trials were testing whether aspirin helped to prevent heart attack and stroke. People were randomly assigned to take aspirin or a placebo (fake pill). One of the British studies found that those who took aspirin for at least 5 years had a 37% drop in the risk of dying from cancer. Another showed that people taking aspirin who were later diagnosed with cancer had a lower risk of the cancer spreading to distant sites. They also had half the risk of dying from cancer, compared with people who did not take aspirin.
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Research on bone mineral density testing suggests that older women with good bone density test scores may need less frequent testing.
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I am a 73-year-old man and I’ve been diagnosed with epididymitis, which has been quite painful – to say the least. I would appreciate your comments about the cause, cure, and any other implications of having this problem.
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I am 70 years old, and since I started taking testosterone to boost below-normal levels of that hormone, my LDL and HDL levels have dropped. What’s the cholesterol-testosterone connection?
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Researchers found that people with a history of depression were more likely to suffer a stroke compared to people who were not depressed.
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I had pain and some bleeding during bowel movements. My doctor says it’s an anal fissure. What is that, and what’s the best way to treat it?
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A medication currently prescribed as an emergency contraceptive helps women with fibroids by shrinking them and reducing bleeding.
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Blood clots inside the body can be dangerous, especially if a clot blocks an artery, or forms in one location and then is carried through the bloodstream to a lung or the brain.
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I see in-store promotions for low-fat muffins almost everywhere. Is there such a thing as a heart-healthy muffin?
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