Diabetes increases the risk of developing heart disease. Among people with diabetes, a variety of imaging tests can be used to estimate the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Researchers continue to try new ways to prevent stents from clogging with cells from the artery wall or from attracting blood clots. Their goal is to develop a stent that can be used in any person to prevent a heart attack.
The Zostavax vaccine is safe for use by healthy adults to prevent shingles, a painful condition caused by previous infection with the chicken pox virus. It also helps prevents persistent shingles pain, known as post-herpetic neuralgia.
Varicose veins are not dangerous, but can cause legs to ache. Treatment options include compression stockings, lifestyle changes, surgical removal of the veins, and sealing them off from the circulation.
Group and individual diabetes education is equally effective for both middle-aged and older people.
Some whole-grain food products are high in healthy fiber but may contain added sugars and salt, which lower the food’s nutritional quality. Look for foods with a ratio of total to fiber carbohydrates of at least 10 to one.
Although digoxin is commonly used in atrial fibrillation, it can increase the risk of death and should be used only in very low doses and as a second rate-control drug when a safer drug is not adequate.
Nearly a third of American adults have high blood pressure, and in about half this condition is poorly controlled. Controlling blood pressure can help avert cardiovascular disease.
Macular degeneration causes loss of central detailed vision. It is more common with aging. A healthy lifestyle may lower the risk. Early detection with regular dilated eye exams may be helpful in reducing vision loss.
There is no solid evidence that taking coenzyme Q10 prevents muscle problems related to taking a cholesterol-lowering statin drug. The risk of side effects from the supplement is low, so it may be relatively safe to try it for a month or two.