10 myths about heart disease
Believing outdated ideas about heart disease and its risk factors can be dangerous. Myth busting can help you plan the best path to a healthy heart.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Avoid these with heart medications
Chest pain caused by a heart attack is often described as a squeezing type of pressure that emerges slowly, rather than a sharp, quick pain. A heart attack may cause shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Research We’re Watching: Hands-on treatment helps low back pain
Osteopathic manual treatment (OMT) is a safe, effective way to relieve low back pain. In a study of 455 people, the treatment relieved pain better than sham (fake) OMT or ultrasound therapy.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Getting your doctor to listen
Increasing time pressures have forced many doctors to resort to a practice of “cookbook medicine.” In their new book, When Doctors Don’t Listen, Drs. Leana Wen and Joshua Kosowsky teach patients how to be better advocates for their own health.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Harvard Heart Advances: For best results, take your medications as prescribed
Faithfully taking blood pressure, cholesterol, and other heart medications as prescribed can reduce the risk of developing heart disease or its consequences. Taking these medications sporadically can increase the risk of heart attack or death.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Ask the doctors: What’s the relationship between blood pressure and knee pain?
Blood pressure can rise when activity levels drop. If your blood pressure was controlled until your activity level changed, increasing your activity may prevent the need for additional medication.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Better balance: Mental and physical fitness are both essential
Fear of falling can be positive if it leads to taking steps to improve balance and bone strength. Stronger legs, in particular, have a steadying effect. Changes in the home environment can reduce fall risk too.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
In the journals: Generic cholesterol drug works as well as the brand-name version
Generic cholesterol drug works as well as the brand-n The generic version of atorvastatin, a leading cholesterol-lowering drug, works as well as the brand-name version.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
On call: How did I get a urinary tract infection?
Incomplete bladder emptying may contribute to urinary tract infections in men, but the condition is less common in men than women. Improve bladder emptying with medication if needed.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Ways to reduce your dependence on blood pressure medications
Many heart medications interact with certain foods, beverages, vitamins, dietary supplements, over-the-counter drugs, and other prescription medications, causing the heart drug to be more powerful or less effective.
Content restricted. Requires subscription