In the journals: FDA approves new PSA test
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Viagra and Cialis for heart failure?
Drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction (Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra) may also help ease heart failure. These drugs cause arteries to relax, which could help a failing heart pump more effectively.
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Heartbeat: Drug-eluting stents being misused
Many people who don’t need a drug-eluting stent during angioplasty get one anyway. More appropriate use would save $200 million a year in the cost of the stents plus the medications that must be taken afterwards.
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The promise of a total artificial heart
A growing number of people with failing hearts are being given total artificial hearts as they wait for donor hearts to become available.
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High HDL may not protect the heart
People with naturally high levels of protective HDL cholesterol have lower rates of cardiovascular disease. New studies suggest that boosting low HDL with medication may not pay off as much as lowering harmful LDL cholesterol.
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Ask the doctor: Should I buy a blood pressure monitor?
If you have high blood pressure, it makes sense to buy a blood pressure monitor and check your blood pressure at home. This gives a more accurate view of your blood pressure than intermittent office-based readings or the occasional check.
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In the journals: Knee injections offer minimal relief from arthritis pain
Injections of hyaluronic acid into the knee, a treatment known as viscosupplementation, offers little relief from painful knee osteoarthritis.
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In the journals: Still smoking? Study finds quitting has benefits at any age
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that it’s never too late to improve your health by quitting smoking. Even smokers in their 80s reduce their risks when they kick the habit.
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Ask the doctors: Why did my heart rate slow down?
The combination of a beta blocker and digoxin to treat atrial fibrillation can cause the heart rate to slow too much. Most people need a resting heart rate in the 60s to 80s to feel well.
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On call: When to get your hearing checked
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