People who have hip replacement surgery are spending less time in the hospital recovering. But rather than going home, they are being discharged to a skilled nursing facility, according to a new study. Researchers collected data on hip replacement surgeries done between 1991 and 2008. More than 1.4 million people receiving Medicare were included. In the 1990s, people having hip replacement spent an average of 9 days in the hospital; now it’s less than 4 days. The study found other trends. The number of people who were readmitted to the hospital within a month of surgery increased from 4.6% in 2001 to 8.5% in 2007. The proportion of people having hip replacement who were obese increased from 2.2% in the early 1990s to 8% in 2007. Currently, about 280,000 hip replacements are performed in this country each year at an annual cost of $12 billion.
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Combining aerobic exercise and strength training is better for people with diabetes than either form of exercise alone.
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Young people who want to take part in athletic activities should have a pre-sports checkup to identify an potential conditions or irregularities that could lead to a sudden cardiac event.
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I had my hair straightened six months ago. Is there any danger in getting these treatments twice a year? I hear they may contain formalin or formaldehyde.
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While taking a statin may have side benefits on other organs and areas of the body, this information comes largely from observational studies, which do not constitute proof of beneficial effect.
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Studies on smoking and obesity found that monetary incentives increased the likelihood that people will make healthier lifestyle choices, but the progress did not always continue after the studies ended.
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Heart disease and erectile dysfunction are often related conditions. Instance of either should prompt a conversation with your doctor about the other, as well as lifestyle choices that can improve sexual function and cardiovascular health.
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People with uncontrolled high blood pressure who viewed DVDs of others from a similar cultural background talking about living with hypertension showed a reduction in blood pressure after six to nine months.
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The American Heart Association is predicting significant increases in heart disease among baby boomers, along with associated health care costs. Following better health habits can help prevent heart disease.
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A program is collecting and donating medical goods, including pacemakers and other implanted devices, to people in less-developed countries who would not be able to afford them.
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