Tips for Travellers Taking Eliquis Blood Thinners
Millions of people are diagnosed every year as having an increased risk of developing blood clots. Doctors routinely prescribe a standard blood thinner called Eliquis (apixaban) – a long-term treatment for what is basically an incurable but manageable condition. With proper care and attention, there’s no reason to forgo the pleasures of travel, visiting friends […]
Wondering about high blood pressure meds? Start by learning the ABCDs
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure (and most people in the Western world should be), then it’s good to have some understanding of the potential treatments with blood pressure medications that doctors can prescribe. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to understand the basics, because it’s as simple as ABCD. These are the starting letters of […]
Elevated Blood Pressure – Causes, Effects, and Medical Management
Elevated blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition where the force of blood pushing against artery walls stays higher than it should be. Blood pressure naturally rises and falls during the day, but when elevated blood pressure persists over time, it can slowly damage the body. This condition is common and often develops without […]
Everyday Habits That Support Heart Health
Since 1964, the American Heart Association (AHA) has promoted American Heart Month every February, with the aim of raising awareness about heart disease in the general community. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. The focus is on education about heart health, and the promotion of […]
Beetroot Juice and Blood Pressure: The Nitrate Connection
Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered that drinking beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in older adults, and it’s likely thanks to changes in the bacteria that live in the mouth. In the study, people in their 60s and 70s drank small shots of concentrated beetroot juice twice a day for two weeks. Result […]
When medications affect sex: understanding some common sexual side effects
Most people expect a prescription medication to make life easier, providing a specific benefit, such as lower blood pressure, improved mood, less anxiety. What is not anticipated is that the same little pill can start whispering into another part of life we care about deeply: desire, pleasure, intimacy. It’s awkward to bring up and easy […]
Which hypertension treatments work best? A simple guide to guidelines and options
Doctors have a wide range of options when it comes to selecting hypertension treatment options for their patients. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. According to CDC data, around 45% of adults have elevated blood pressure, but fewer than one in four have it under control. Rates […]
Exploring treatment options for fatty liver disease in adults over 40
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is becoming one of the most common causes of chronic liver illness among adults over 40. It is strongly linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. When ignored, MASLD can progress to liver scarring, cirrhosis, and […]
Angiotensin-based Medications for High Blood Pressure
Angiotensin-based medicines sit at the center of modern high blood pressure treatment. The angiotensin-based medications most people hear about in consultations with their doctors are ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Both lower blood pressure by targeting the renin-angiotensin system, which helps the body tighten blood vessels and hold fluid. The big picture is simple: angiotensin makes vessels tighten; […]
Lipid Regulator Drugs: What They Are and How They Work
In case you’ve just had a blood test and it came back with a warning about high cholesterol or triglycerides, you may need some help in understanding what your doctor is saying when there’s talk about new terms like ‘lipid metabolism’ and ‘lipid regulator’ drugs. Sometimes, we hear a word or phrase and it’s immediately […]
