September 17th 2024
New data shows that favorable CV health in the first trimester is associated with a 35% to 62% lower risk of HDP regardless of level of genetic risk.
Diabetes Management: An Approach That Improves Outcomes and Reduces Costs
April 2nd 2008As many as 10% of Americans older than 20 years have type 2 diabetes, and more than 20% of the total population has the metabolic syndrome. Type 2 diabetes will develop in many of those with the metabolic syndrome.
Systolic Hypertension: A Guide to Optimal Therapy
March 2nd 2008Systolic hypertension is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, and end-stage renal disease. Nonpharmacological interventions for systolic hypertension include limitation of dietary sodium and alcohol intake along with weight reduction and aerobic exercise.
End-of-Life Discussions: The Art of Delivering Bad News
February 1st 2008An 84-year-old woman with progressive stenosis of the cervical spinal canal, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, and stable angina presents to her primary care physician after an appointment with the orthopedist who is monitoring her chronic degenerative joint disease.
Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
February 1st 2008An obese 61-year-old man with a history of heroin abuse was brought to the hospital after he had fallen onto his buttocks on a sidewalk. He was able to stand initially, but weakness and numb-ness in his legs rendered him suddenly unable to walk or prevent himself from voiding. He denied abdominal or back pain. His medical history included asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypertension.
Lipid Ratios and the Prediction of Atherothrombotic Risk
January 1st 2008To help answer the question of Mary Ellen Lewis, PA-C, about her patient with a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level of 120 mg/dL and a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level of 100 mg/dL(CONSULTANT, June 2007), I would like to describe my approach to the treatment of dyslipidemia.
A Novel Benefit of ACE Inhibitors in Functionally Impaired Older Adults
January 1st 2008When angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were first discovered, they were a welcome addition to the antihypertensive armamentarium. Since then, many more benefits of these drugs have been found: they slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy, abate the sequelae of heart failure when systolic dysfunction is present, and reduce the level of proteinuria in patients with nephrotic syndrome.
BP and Lipid Elevations: Can You Blame Them on Yesterday's Chips and Dip?
December 1st 2007Some of my patients who are being treated for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or both claim that an elevated blood pressure reading or lipid level measurement resulted from a sodium- or fat-laden meal that they had eaten 1 or 2 days before their office visit.
Polypharmacy in Elderly Patients: Practical Tips to Avoid Adverse Effects and Interactions
November 1st 2007An 81-year-old woman with a history of moderate Alzheimer dementia, depression, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus was accompanied to the office by her son for a routine follow-up appointment.