I had a mechanical valve put in to replace a stiff aortic valve. But it hasn’t made a big difference in how I feel. I still get short of breath when I try to walk fast. Could it be the wrong size, or not working properly?
My mouth and throat are constantly parched, even though I carry a water bottle and sip from it constantly. I know it’s a small problem compared to all the things you write about, but it’s very uncomfortable, and I’d appreciate any advice you can offer.
Following the lead of our 12-year-old daughter, my wife has become a vegetarian. She says she’s willing to continue serving meat and chicken, but I sense that she’d rather not. What can you tell me about the safety of a vegetarian diet?
Hormones produced by the ovaries are beneficial, but taking a hormone medication increases certain health risks.
Splitting statin pills saves money without risk to cholesterol control. Treating or preventing heart disease lowers the risk of memory loss. Tests of coenzyme Q10’s effectiveness are inconclusive.
Roller coasters and other high-velocity amusement park rides can cause spikes in heart rate and blood pressure that may be dangerous for riders with heart problems.
A minimally invasive version of heart surgery to replace or repair a mitral or aortic valve has shown excellent results and has a shorter recovery time on average, making it an option that older people should consider.
Mitral valve prolapse is a bulging of the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. Most people with the condition need no treatment and can expect to have a normal life span, though in certain cases the valve can start to leak.
A very small percentage of those who receive a drug-coated stent experience a clot. The most likely cause is discontinuing the clot-preventing combination of aspirin and Plavix too soon after surgery.
Angioplasty to treat chest pain will be most efffective if the procedure is done within the first 12 hours after onset. If you have had symptoms for longer, drug treatment is likely to be as effective as angioplasty.