heart-letter
A high blood glucose level may signal increased risk of diabetes, but in the absence of common symptoms of diabetes, a hemoglobin A1c test may provide a more accurate diagnosis.
Information on heart surgeons is widely available on the Internet. But a Harvard study shows that most consumers often do not correctly interpret the data the way they are presented.
For unexplained shortness of breath, cardiopulmonary exercise testing may solve the mystery. Shortness of breath can often be eliminated or reduced with medical or surgical treatment, or cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation.
Childhood abuse is bad enough on its own, and now it appears it may also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease earlier than usual.
The American Heart Association’s “Heart-Check” menu symbol ensures that an entree or meal meets specific requirements for calories, cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fats, and sodium.
People who take statins without experiencing muscle pain or discomfort do not need regular blood tests to check for muscle damage. Anyone who takes a statin and experiences severe muscle pain and weakness, however, should seek medical help immediately.
Women are less likely than men to take advantage of cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack, bypass surgery, or angioplasty even though women benefit more from it.
Contrast-enhanced computed coronary tomographic angiography (CCTA), a noninvasive technology, accurately diagnosed or ruled out heart attack much faster than standard evaluation methods.
When people who take aspirin suffer a heart attack or stroke, they are said to be aspirin-resistant. But this condition is rare, and most cases can be attributed to failure to take aspirin as prescribed.
When stroke causes a person to have trouble lifting or moving a foot (foot drop), two new devices can help. Both stimulate the peroneal nerve so the weak foot lifts, rather than drags.