Amlodipine, verapamil, diltiazem: if you have been prescribed a calcium channel blocker, here is what it does, why it was chosen for you, and the side effects and grapefruit interaction every patient on one should know about.
Calf pain is something almost everyone gets, and the explanation is usually reassuringly ordinary: a cramp, some soreness, or a minor strain. Here is how to tell the common causes apart from the one pattern worth knowing about.
It is one of the most common questions in the cardiology clinic, is it safe to drink? Here is a clear look at what the evidence shows, and what it means for your heart.
Most tiredness is not your heart. But cardiac fatigue is real: heavy, persistent, and not relieved by rest. Here is how to tell the difference, and when tiredness is worth a conversation with your doctor.
Hearing you need a triple bypass is alarming — but the number describes how many arteries were rerouted, not how dangerous the operation is. Understanding what it means can make one of the most daunting conversations in cardiac surgery far less frightening.
The best scale for weight loss might not be the one in your bathroom. A kitchen scale, used with curiosity rather than obsession, reveals surprising truths about portion sizes that change the way you think about food for good.
A patent foramen ovale, a small opening in the heart present in around one in four adults, can sound alarming when first mentioned. For most people it is entirely harmless and needs no treatment. Here is when it matters, and when it doesn't.
Should you take your statin at night, or does the timing not really matter? The answer depends on which statin you are on.
A simple, non-invasive CT scan that detects calcified plaque in the arteries years before symptoms appear. If you or someone you know has been referred for a calcium score, this guide explains exactly what it measures, what your result means, and what to do next.
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By Professor Peter Barlis, Interventional Cardiologist and Founding Editor, Heart Matters. Published by Wiley.
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