Older women who are being treated with trastuzumab (Herceptin), alone or with a class of chemotherapy drugs called anthracyclines, may be at increased risk for heart failure and heart muscle damage.
After a negative colonoscopy at age 50, less invasive screening tests may be just as accurate, but carry less expense and risk for complications, than repeating the colonoscopy every 10 years.
Alzheimer’s disease research has started to focus on prevention. Investigators are looking at targets such as beta-amyloid and tau tangles in the brain, as well as inflammation and blood vessel damage.
More than one-third of heart attacks produce no symptoms, yet these so-called silent heart attacks are as dangerous as heart attacks that do cause symptoms.
Women who quit smoking can dramatically increase their life span, according to a study of more than one million women conducted in Britain.
New Pap test guidelines have prompted some health experts to question the value of annual gynecological exams.
For people with stents who need elective surgery, it’s safest to take antiplatelet therapy for six to 12 months before stopping it in order to have an operation.
Research finds that 60% of women are less sexually active after a heart attack, often because they’re afraid sex will trigger another attack. Cardiac rehabilitation can help women with heart disease safely have sex again.
Blood clots in the legs are treated with several months of warfarin (Coumadin). After this period, low-dose aspirin may be a reasonable alternative to long-term use of warfarin for preventing another blood clot.
When lowering traditional risk factors fails to prevent a heart attack or stroke, targeting inflammation may help. Two clinical trials are beginning to test whether anti-inflammatory drugs can provide additional protection.