Heart Beat: ECG? There’s an app for that!
People with heart disease will soon be able to transmit information about their heart rhythm to their doctor’s office using an iPhone app.
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Should bypass surgery be done off-pump?
Anyone at risk for complications from the heart-lung machine during open-heart surgery should have the procedure performed without it, or “off-pump.” For everyone else, whether or not to use the pump should be left up to the surgeon.
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In the journals: Why you still need pertussis vaccination
Pertussis rates are rising in all age groups. An Australian study found that older adults with pertussis are more likely to need hospitalization, which underscores the need for older adults to get vaccinated.
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In the journals: Statins linked to leg pain but not weakness
In a study of healthy people, taking high doses of a statin drug to lower “bad” cholesterol doesn’t cause muscle weakness but does trigger minor muscle pain in a small number of cases.
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Needling away chronic pain
Acupuncture may be helpful for reducing pain in many chronic conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, and headache.
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Ask the doctors: Is interval training safe for someone with heart disease?
High-intensity interval training offers an excellent cardiovascular workout. Anyone with heart disease who has not been very active and wants to try this approach should have a stress test first.
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Remedies for hand cramps
The typical causes of cramps in the hands include dehydration and straining the muscles with repeated motions like typing. Low calcium or magnesium or a compressed nerve in the wrist may also cause cramping. Stretching the fingers may help.
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Social engagement and healthy aging
Social engagement, or how connected you are to other people, can be as important to healthy aging as not smoking or maintaining a good weight. Social engagement may also help to preserve memory. Volunteering is a good way to foster social connection.
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Ask the doctor: Do nasal saline washes prevent sinusitis flare-ups?
A nasal saline wash may help prevent sinusitis flare-ups. A steroid nasal spray may also help.
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Heart Advances from Harvard: Daily multivitamins do not prevent heart disease
Taking a daily multivitamin does not reduce the rate of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, revascularization, or death. It may lower the risk of cancer by 8%.
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