Heart Beat: When stocks crash, heart attacks go up
Researchers correlated the stock market’s woes in 2008 and 2009 with an increase in heart attacks.
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On call: Peripheral artery disease screening
My senior center is sponsoring a test to check for “peripheral artery disease.” The test is free, and they say it’s safe and painless. Do you think it’s a good idea?
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Hybrid heart surgery expands options
People who need more than one type of heart procedure may be able to have them done in a hybrid operating suite, reducing risk and some recovery times.
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Prolonged illness and grieving
A new book examines how patterns of grieving are changing as people and families endure terminal illnesses for longer periods of time.
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In the journals: Heart failure risk is lower in women who regularly eat modest amounts of chocolate
An observational study of 31,000 older women in Sweden found that those who ate one to two servings a week of chocolate had a lower risk of heart failure.
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Ask the doctor: Is high potassium a problem?
You have written about low potassium in the blood and ways to improve it, but I never read about too much potassium in the blood. Can you tell me why it happens and what is done about it?
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11 ways to prevent stroke
Some risk factors for stroke, such as family history and ethnicity, cannot be changed, but attention to factors like weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and physical activity can significantly reduce stroke risk.
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Heart Beat: Stay lean, live longer
Despite studies that suggested those who gain weight with age might live longer, having a body mass index in the normal range still correlates with a lower death rate.
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Never too late: Exercise helps late starters
Results of studies from several countries, including the United States, confirm that men who do not start exercising until middle age still gain many health benefits from it, most importantly added longevity.
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Ask the doctor: How do I use a cane?
I recently had a right hip replacement and my doctor says I’m now ready to use a cane. Do you have any recommendations about the best way to use it?
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