New drug cuts deaths after a heart attack
People recovering from a heart attack or severe chest pain are much less likely to suffer another heart-related problem or to die from one if they take a new blood-thinning drug along with standard anti-clotting medicines, a large study finds.But this benefit had a cost: a greater risk of serious bleeding, usually in the digestive tract.Still, some doctors said the drug, Xarelto, could... READ MORE
‘Super broccoli’ said to lower cholesterol
Popeye might want to consider switching to broccoli. British scientists unveiled a new breed of the vegetable that experts say packs a big nutritional punch.The new broccoli was specially grown to contain two to three times the normal amount of glucoraphanin — a nutrient believed to help ward off heart disease.Glucoraphanin works by breaking down fat in the... READ MORE
‘Inoperable’ heart patients get a solution
Federal health officials have approved a first-of-a-kind artificial heart valve that can be implanted without major surgery, offering a new treatment option for patients whose age or condition prevents them from undergoing the chest-cracking procedure that has been used to replace heart valves for decades. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it approved Edwards... READ MORE
Machines measure blood pressure better
Doctors are notoriously bad at measuring their patients’ blood pressure. Nurses are better, but many still don’t use the correct method.Even clinicians who do follow the proper procedure often get a reading that’s higher than the person’s usual blood pressure. This is called white-coat hypertension — blood pressure that’s high when a doctor or other... READ MORE
Stay healthy with three immune boosters
You already know you need to eat well to stay healthy, but scientists are now zeroing in on specific diet strategies that can help bolster immunity. With cold and flu season right around the corner, here are three to add to your arsenal:1. Fill your Vitamin D tank: You may have fewer health problems — ranging from colds to cancer — if you get enough vitamin D. Your body... READ MORE
Test of Howard County
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Newly approved drugs not always better
Many consumers mistakenly believe new prescription drugs are always safer than those with long track records, and that only extremely effective drugs without major side effects win government approval, according to a new study.A national survey of nearly 3,000 adults finds that about four in 10 wrongly believe the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves only “extremely... READ MORE
Tracking diseases may improve diagnoses
The doctor doesn’t think your sore throat is bad enough yet to order a strep test — unaware that a dozen people across town were diagnosed with strep throat just last week.Doctors rarely know what bugs are brewing in the neighborhood until their own waiting rooms start to fill. Harvard University researchers report that getting them real-time information on nearby infections... READ MORE
Shop earlier for Medicare plans this year
A new deadline for Medicare Advantage plans — privately run versions of the government’s Medicare program — may trip up seniors who typically wait until the holidays to settle on their health insurance coverage for the coming year.Medicare Advantage plans cover more than 11 million people. They offer basic Medicare coverage topped with extras, such as vision or dental... READ MORE
Better nutrition may reduce arthritis pain
When your joints are inflamed with arthritis, the condition can be painful and debilitating. Although the first line of defense for arthritis is medication, research is unfolding about the effects of diet on joint health.“Some people may find that over time — three to six months — a plant-based, Mediterranean-type diet may help them feel better,” said Dr. Lona... READ MORE
