Heart Beat: Stents make later surgery riskier than usual
Getting a stent implanted within six weeks before having another, noncardiac surgery carries a much higher risk of having a heart attack or dying.
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Heart Beat: Steroids and the heart
Among the side effects of steroid use, one serious consequence is a weakening of the heart’s left ventricle.
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Diastolic heart failure
In diastolic heart failure, the left ventricle becomes thick and stiff. The symptoms are the same as those for systolic heart failure, but researchers are still searching for the best treatment strategies.
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Getting back on the bike
Bicycling is a great way to get to work while getting the benefits of aerobic exercise. Riding safely and comfortably will make bike excursions more enjoyable.
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Storm’s a-comin’
The dangers of lightning are generally well understood, but thunderstorms can also trigger asthma attacks, and they may be linked to other conditions as well.
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Is the heart attack going out of style?
Two studies show a decline in the number of hospitalizations for heart attacks, suggesting that efforts at prevention are effective.
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From our follow-up files
Additional information about recently published articles on gout and migraine headaches.
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Pathological gambling
Because pathological gambling shares some similarities to substance abuse, and because of the frequent overlap between them, the treatment strategies are similar to those for addiction.
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Low Vitamin A Led to Woman’s Vision Loss
Vitamin A deficiency caused an eye problem in a young New York City woman, her doctors report. The woman was 24 and pregnant. She went to Columbia University Medical Center, complaining of a decline in vision. She said it had been getting worse for the last 7 weeks, especially at night. Doctors tested her blood and found that her vitamin A was extremely low. After she took supplements, she could see normally again. The woman had anorexia nervosa. She told doctors she had eaten little except white onions, white potatoes and red meat for the last 7 years. Doctors also said her body could have been taking vitamin A from her blood to nourish the fetus. The journal Lancet published the study online July 18.
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Preventive Care Free for Patients, Rules Say
New government rules will require insurance plans to offer preventive health care with no out-of-pocket cost to patients. The rules were released July 14, the Associated Press (AP) reported. They cover tests for colon and breast cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Pregnant women will get tests for vitamin deficiencies. Routine vaccinations will be covered. Children also will get routine doctor visits, plus hearing and eye tests. The rules also cover counseling to help children stay at a healthy weight and help people quit smoking. Further rules for women’s health screening are still being developed. The benefits take effect when plans are renewed, in most cases January 1. Some large employer plans will be exempt for now. But they could have to comply later as they make other changes to their plans, AP reported.
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