Ask the doctor: Does prednisone increase blood pressure?
I have rheumatoid arthritis, and my doctor wants me to take prednisone for it. Will this drug be bad for my blood pressure, which is already high?
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Ask the doctor: How is atrial flutter different from atrial fibrillation?
What are the differences between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation?
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Ask the doctor: Do I need to take precautions if I stop taking warfarin before a colonoscopy?
I am due to have a colonoscopy. My cardiologist told me that I will need to stop taking Coumadin, which I take for atrial fibrillation, a few days before the procedure and get some injections. Is that really necessary?
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Ask the doctor: Can I take PreserVision for my eyes even though I take warfarin?
I recently began treatment for macular degeneration in one eye. My retinologist said that PreserVision might protect the other eye. But she cautioned that it contains vitamin E, which could cause a bleeding problem with Coumadin. What would you suggest?
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On call: Cell phones and hospitals
When I visited a friend in the hospital recently, I was annoyed that I was not allowed to use my cell phone. Are cell phones really dangerous?
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Ask the doctor: Can a blocked artery cause jaw pain?
Lately when I climb the stairs or get really stressed, my jaw starts hurting. Is that just an oddity or something I should worry about?
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Ask the doctor: What is diastolic dysfunction?
My last echocardiogram showed mild diastolic dysfunction. What does that mean?
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On call: Periodontitis and your heart
I am a 56-year-old man with high blood pressure. My dentist found gum disease and referred me to a periodontist for treatment. I know that high blood pressure increases my risk of heart disease, and I’ve been told that gum disease does too. Is it true?
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Ask the doctor: What are the alternatives to a statin for lowering cholesterol?
I have tried all of the statin drugs to lower my cholesterol, but each one has caused severe muscle pain. Are there any non-statin medications I could try using to lower my cholesterol?
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By the way, doctor: Do inversion tables work?
What do you think about using inversion tables to relieve back pain?
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