On the horizon: Squeezing the arm to protect the heart
Preconditioning the heart by using a blood pressure cuff to halt and release blood flow could protect heart muscle during surgery or a heart attack.
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On the horizon: Exercise at rest – no longer an oxymoron?
A bedlike device that shakes the body head-to-toe stimulates blood vessels and improves blood flow, which may benefit people with heart failure who have difficulty exercising.
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In the journals: Pelvic floor muscle training can help reverse pelvic organ prolapse
For women with pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor strengthening exercises may prevent the condition from worsening, and may even reverse the condition in some women.
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On call: Pancreatic cancer prevention
Every time I open a newspaper, I seem to read about another VIP with cancer of the pancreas. It sounds like a dreadful disease. Is there some way I can be tested to see if I’m at risk?
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Conversation with an expert: Plavix: What you need to know
Dr. Patrick O’Gara, a member of the Health Letter’s editorial board, talks about safety issues regarding the use of Plavix after angioplasty.
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Top five habits that harm the heart
Five poor heart habits are responsible for the majority of heart disease, but their opposite, healthy behaviors can help protect the heart and improve overall health.
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Tiny pumps can help when heart failure advances
A ventricular assist device helps boost the heart’s pumping capacity in people with advanced heart failure, allowing them to resume some normal mobility and activities.
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Finding lung cancer early
A large study evaluating the effectiveness of using CT scans to screen for lung cancer could lead to earlier detection and treatment, and possibly fewer deaths.
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Ask the doctor: Do I really need surgery to fix my aortic valve?
I have had a leaking aortic valve for many years. I get an echocardiogram every six months. After the latest one, my doctor told me that my heart was enlarging. He wants me to have surgery to replace the valve. Should I do this at age 68?
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Ask the doctor: Should I stop taking Avandia?
Because of the recent news about Avandia, my physician has advised me to stop taking it. Is that wise?
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