Death rates from heart disease had been declining since the 1960s, but recently they have leveled off in men and increased very slightly in women, probably due to increases in obesity and diabetes.
I am 78, and for about 10 years, I have been taking an 81-mg aspirin every morning with a glass of grapefruit juice. I heard that it’s not a good idea to drink grapefruit juice with some blood-thinning drugs. Is that true of aspirin too?
The leads of implanted cardiac devices can break or become infected over time. If this happens, the leads must be replaced. A defective lead can be left in the heart, but it is considered safer to have it removed.
My platelet count has always been on the low side – 110,000. I don’t have any symptoms. But a recent lab report mentioned “giant platelets.” Is this something to worry about?
The FDA is recommending a genetic test for people prescribed warfarin, to search for variants of certain genes that can affect the drug’s effectiveness. But there is not enough evidence yet that the test makes using the drug safer.
Rotator cuff tendinits is the most common shoulder injury. The best course of treatment is to rest, apply ice, take ibuprofen, and do stretching and strengthening exercises.
I seem to get three or four sore throats a year. I don’t want to run to my doctor for antibiotics every time. How can I tell when I need treatment and when I don’t?
Silver is sometimes used as an antibacterial agent, but products containing silver are being sold as supplements meant to be taken internally. This can cause stomach problems, kidney damage, or argyria (blue spots on the skin).
The body’s ability to fight off illness declines with age. A study found that participating in regular tai chi sessions boosted the immune system responses of older people.
Researchers with the Framingham Heart Study have developed a new tool to assess overall risk of cardiovascular disease by assigning points to various risk factors, then aligning total points with levels of risk.