Harvard Heart Letter articles from January 2005

Harvard Heart Letter archives from January 2005

11 unanswered questions point to the future.(cardiology-related health problems)
January 1, 2005... In 2005, solving even one of the top unanswered questions in cardiology would be a boon to many. This article explores 11 unanswered questions in cardiology. Why bother doing this? Bombarded as we are by health news and medical...

Chest pain centers getting stamp of approval.
January 1, 2005... A new accreditation process could mean better care and fewer misdiagnosed heart attacks. If you think the "big one" is at hand, where do you want to go? We aren't talking metaphysics, religion, or earthquakes, but merely asking what...

Damaged heart? Grow around it!(stem cells to replace damaged heart muscle)
January 1, 2005... Researchers are racing to heal injured hearts by using stem cells from outside the heart, and maybe even ones inside it. An idea that was mere fantasy just a few years ago -- growing new tissue to replace damaged or diseased heart muscle --...

Watching heart disease from a distance.(telemonitoring of patients at home)
January 1, 2005... New technology makes it easier to keep tabs on your heart, and heart disease. If you have a chronic condition, you know that the start-of-day ritual doesn't end with showering, dressing, and eating breakfast. Take heart failure, for...

Heart beat; Wider coverage for home blood thinner checks.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Millions of Americans take warfarin (Coumadin) to prevent blood clots. The drug can be a lifesaver, but it can also be a hassle. Unlike aspirin or a cholesterol-lowering statin, which you take at a fixed daily dose, the amount of warfarin must...

Heart beat; News you can use (someday) from the AHA meeting.
January 1, 2005... With almost 4,000 presentations crammed into four days, the American Heart Association's annual meeting offers an almost overwhelming peek into the future of heart disease and heart health. In keeping with this issue's theme, here are summaries...

Ask the doctor; Do stents wear out and need to be replaced?(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Q Almost 10 years ago, I had a stent implanted to prop open my blocked left anterior descending artery. At the time, my doctor told me, "This should hold you for five years or so." Are stents like cars, requiring periodic trade-ins? I haven't...

Ask the doctor; How risky is bypass surgery?
January 1, 2005... Q Like President Clinton, I have four very clogged coronary arteries (70% to 90% closed). My cardiologist pushed for bypass surgery but I resisted. A year later, the blockages have decreased somewhat. I haven't had much luck finding out about...