Rapid Heartbeat Problem May Be Curable
Q: How serious is SVT? I have had it for 45 years and am now taking verapamil. For years I took Lanoxin. I see a cardiologist once a year. What advice can you give me... More
Medical Update
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Hearing Heartbeat in Ears
I hear my heart beating in my right ear like a reader reported in the May/June 2008 issue. An ENT doctor diagnosed my condition as... More
Pacemaker Safety
Two questions, if you please. I have an Adapta DR pacemaker. May I use an electric adjustable bed with optional head and foot massage? And,... More
Hallucinations and Heart Surgery
I had coronary bypass surgery late last year and recently have been having visual hallucinations. Can coronary surgery cause this problem? I have not yet... More
Leg Swelling
I was born with a heart murmur, and it has never really bothered me. At age 76, my family doctor heard the heart skip and... More
Statin Safety
The FDA is repeating earlier warnings that certain statins to lower cholesterol do not mix with amiodarone, a drug prescribed to treat an irregular heartbeat.... More
IMT Scan vs. Other Factors
I am active and healthy. Given my family history of heart disease, an IMT scan was recently done. Results include IMT .931 and vascular age... More
Dodging DNA Destiny
After reading your articles in The Saturday Evening Post, I felt compelled to send you a question about diastolic dysfunction. I’m interested in knowing if... More
Coughs, Colds, and Flu
You’ve heard it before, but the most effective strategy to fight germs is to wash your hands regularly. Using soap and warm water is best,... More
Heart Valves, Leg Pain, and Exercise
In 2004 I had heart failure and surgery to replace a valve and arteries. Will the valve last forever? I am 70 years old. My... More
Thinning Blood and Coumadin
I was recently hospitalized because my blood was dangerously thin. I was taking Coumadin as prescribed by my doctor. I would appreciate any information and... More
Question (and Answer) About Extra Heartbeats
Q: I am an 83-year-old great-grandmother and was diagnosed with benign premature ventricular contractions 40 years ago. I’ve been asymptomatic all these years. My question... More
Made in the USA
To J. R., Caseville, Michigan: You write that generic versions of Amaryl (for diabetes) and Vasotec (for high blood pressure) often vary in color or... More
Foods Affect the Heart
Have any studies shown that certain foods might contribute to irregular heart rhythms? My doctor told me to avoid all sources of caffeine, and that... More
Shopping for Healthcare
Today’s menu of healthcare choices offers boutique, concierge, and retainer primary-care physicians as well as traditional systems of health care management. The novel approaches promise... More
The Top Cancer Research Advancements of 2008
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recently reported major scientific advances in the following areas: new therapy options for hard-to-treat lung and pancreatic cancers;... More
Rising Costs Pose Health Dilemma
Nearly 40 million U.S. adults were unable to fill prescriptions in 2008 due to prohibitive costs, according to a Manhattan Research report. People living with... More
