So-called blood thinners actually don’t “thin” blood. They are anti-clotting drugs that protect high-risk people from developing potentially dangerous blood clots that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. People who may benefit from them include those who have atrial fibrillation or a stent in a blood vessel, or who are immobile after surgery.
PSA tends to increase as men get older, but levels that get too high may suggest prostate cancer. Many doctors consider a total PSA level higher than 10 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) as the threshold for getting a biopsy to check for cancer. But men with levels between 4 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL have to decide with their doctors whether to go forward with a biopsy or monitor their condition. Nowadays, men with mild to moderately elevated PSA levels can get additional noninvasive tests that can help with the decision process.
Depression may be more common as people age, but new data suggest that the biggest threat to older adults’ mental health is their failure to recognize its symptoms and seriousness. Many chalk up depression as a normal part of aging, but addressing it as a real and treatable disease can help older adults seek the help they need and not needlessly suffer.
Excessive sweating commonly happens in stressful social situations. But it may be underlying anxiety that is causing the problem. Topical antiperspirants and medications to reduce anxiety if needed can help reduce excessive sweating.
Resistance training (also known as strength training) consists of doing upper- and lower-body exercises using free weights (like dumbbells, kettlebells, or barbells), weight machines, resistance bands, or even body weight. It is regarded as one of the best ways to slow and even reverse age-related muscle loss, known as sarcopenia. The constant challenge with resistance training is finding that happy medium between doing too little and too much. New guidelines suggest people should focus on five categories: type of exercise, reps, weight, sets, and frequency.
People with atrial fibrillation who consume more than 14 alcoholic beverages a week may face a higher risk of stroke and other dangerous blood clots.
A “green” Mediterranean diet that includes green tea and extra plant-based protein may be even better for heart health than the traditional Mediterranean diet.
Home blood pressure monitoring may be more reliable and accurate for predicting early heart disease compared with both office blood pressure checks and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
Dried fruits such as raisins, dates, and figs are good sources of potassium, fiber, and other nutrients. A serving size of these calorie-dense treats is just a quarter-cup.
About 20% of people have high levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a fatty particle linked to premature heart disease. People who should consider getting an Lp(a) test include those with a family history of early heart disease; people with heart disease who have normal (untreated) levels of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides; and close relatives of people with high Lp(a). Studies of new drugs to lower Lp(a) are under way, with results expected in a few years.