Nature versus Nurture: Even though people may have inherited genes that confer an increased risk of cardiovascular disease that doesn’t mean that there isn’t something that they can do about it. Not smoking, maintaining a normal weight, exercise and healthy eating…
Choosing the optimal blood pressure target to shoot for in managing hypertension requires that we apply the art of medicine, rather than just a cookbook approach. Over recent years, we have gotten dizzy keeping up with various recommendations which have…
BCBS (Blue Cross Blue Shield) has canceled all their PPO plans in Texas and are only offering HMO plans through the federal website, Healthcare.gov. In addition, other insurers are canceling their PPO products. This will leave patients with more restrictions…
PSA Police? Screening for prostate cancer is controversial for reasons outlined in this article from the Wall Street Journal, but now the controversy is taking a new turn. The government is becoming more aggressive in determining what high-quality care is.…
NEW YORK (AP) — It may end up being a bad flu season for kids, but early signs suggest the vaccine is working OK. The vaccine has been more than 50% effective in preventing flu illness severe enough to send…
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD reviewing Li Y et al. BMJ 2020 Jan 8 A long-term analysis suggests that adopting such a lifestyle at midlife might add as long as 10 years of disease-free life. Virtually everyone knows that a healthful lifestyle — never smoking,…
There have been some studies showing that in patients with stable heart disease caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries, stents and bypass surgery don’t necessarily improve mortality. The following is the last salvo in that debate. This is a…
According to flu surveillance, there is an increase in Influenza Like Illness or ILI (formerly known as FLI) around the state. Most of it isn’t the flu. It’s a respiratory virus with flu-like symptoms. We treat the symptoms with rest…
New Multisociety Hypertension Guideline Is Released Allan S. Brett, MD and Karol E. Watson, MD, PhD, FACC reviewing Whelton PK et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2017 Nov 13. The guideline lowers thresholds for categorizing people as having hypertension and for prescribing drug…
Shingrix The short version: As many of you know, a new shingles vaccine (“SHINGRIX”) was introduced in the past year, and is recommended for all adults over 50 years of age. The new vaccine is much more effective than the old…
