Preventing occasional back pain from becoming a chronic problem requires both physical and mental fitness. It is important to stay physically active, strengthen the muscles supporting the back, and maintain flexibility.
Adding vitamin E to standard Alzheimer’s drugs modestly slows the decline in daily functioning caused by dementia.
Men who walk the most have the lowest risk of stroke. A study showed that total walking time, rather than walking pace, determines how much stroke risk is reduced. Walking 30 minutes a day is sufficient to reduce the risk of stroke.
Walking an extra 2,000 steps a day may lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, or dying of heart disease in people at high risk of diabetes and who also have (or are prone to) heart disease.
To avoid a fracture, women over 65 and those at risk for osteoporosis should have a baseline bone density scan. How often they need additional scans depends on their fracture risks.
New expert recommendations for treating high blood pressure relax the threshold at which men ages 60 and older should consider taking medication to lower their blood pressure.
Losing 10% of their body weight can help overweight women improve heart risks such as unhealthy LDL cholesterol and C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation). Even women who lose smaller amounts of weight can see improvements in heart risks.
People who take a potassium-sparing diuretic such as spironolactone (Aldactone, generic), should not use salt substitutes that contain potassium, and limit their intake of potassium-rich foods such as bananas, orange juice, and potatoes.
Borderline high blood pressure still raises stroke and heart disease risk. Making diet and lifestyle changes proven to lower blood pressure can prevent or delay the need to take high blood pressure medicines in the future.
Medications for urinary problems in men vary in their impact on blood pressure. They can also interact with other medications in risky ways. Men starting on an alpha blocker should be fully informed about possible side effects.