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What’s the right blood pressure number for you?
New guidelines suggest that people with no history of cardiovascular disease may not benefit from more aggressive treatment. High blood pressure remains a strong indicator for heart attack or stroke risk. But how high is too high? The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recently released updated guidelines […]
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Calcium supplements could increase heart attack risks
The supplements you take to strengthen your bones might be putting your heart at risk, according to a study published online May 23 in the journal Heart. Researchers at one time believed calcium was heart protective, helping to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Yet the current study, […]
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Heart problems from Z-Pak
Azithromycin, given in a five-day dose called Z-Pak, is a popular antibiotic prescribed for bronchitis, ear infections, and other miseries. Yet it may cause harm even as it heals. A study published in the May 17 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine found a 2.5-fold greater chance of heart-related death within five days […]
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Ask the doctor: Should I try one of the new blood thinners?
Q. I have atrial fibrillation and have been taking warfarin to prevent blood clots for 10 years. It has not given me any problems. However, I do hate going to my doctor’s office to get my INR blood test every month. I’m wondering whether I should switch to one of the newer blood thinners that […]
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Protecting heart cells after heart attack
German researchers have found a way, in mice, to slow the death of heart cells that occurs in the aging heart and following a heart attack. They identified a gene called PNUTS that has lower activity in older mice, and also is less active after a heart attack. By increasing the activity of the PNUTS […]
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Returning to work after a heart attack
Q. My 59-year-old husband just came home after being hospitalized for a mild heart attack. He was only in the hospital for five days and he feels great, though he does have to take three prescription medicines plus aspirin. I’m writing because my husband’s doctor doesn’t want him to go back to work for another […]
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Heart attack risk soars soon after losing a loved one
Some events in life—like the death of someone important to you—are impossible to prepare for. If you find yourself mourning a spouse, family member, or close friend, take time to take care of yourself. That’s the bottom line from a new study by researchers at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). They found that […]
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Pollution may shorten lifespan
After a heart attack, living near a major roadway could be fatal. Can where you live after a heart attack affect your risk of dying? According to a Harvard study, the answer may be yes, particularly if you live near a major thoroughfare. Air pollution, especially the type generated by traffic, has been shown to […]
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Missing out on aspirin therapy?
Research finds most people skip the proven measure. Aspirin or another type of antiplatelet medication is usually prescribed after a heart attack or a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). But a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that fewer than half of the people with CVD in the United States […]
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Some heart attacks go unrecognized
Yet “symptomless” does not mean “harmless.” In the movies, a heart attack victim often clutches his or her chest, falls to the floor, and dies on the spot. While this certainly can happen, symptoms can vary widely in type and intensity. In fact, up to 37% of people who have a heart attack never know […]
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