Nov 13th, 2008 · While statins have been shown to cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes, about half of patients quit taking the medicine after a year. One recent study shows that people stop statins for two reasons: They lack a clear understanding of how the medicines work, and they don't trust their health care providers.
Nov 12th, 2008 · This week's new study showing that a cholesterol-lowering statin drug can cut the risk of heart attack or stroke has opened up a debate over how aggressive doctors and patients should be when it comes to using statins — and who should take them.
Nov 9th, 2008 · A new research study finds that many people who have no signs of heart disease should be taking statin drugs, which lower cholesterol and may have other benefits. Prescribing a generic version could save patients — and insurance companies — millions of dollars.
Nov 7th, 2008 · A genetics team sequenced DNA from both cancerous and normal tissue from a patient with the white blood cell cancer. The researchers then compared the two sequences to identify 10 mutated genes that appear to be associated with the formation of the cancer.
Oct 28th, 2008 · Blood banks store freshly donated blood for up to six weeks before it is considered outdated and discarded. But patients who receive transfusions of blood older than two or three weeks may suffer adverse effects, studies suggest.
Oct 24th, 2008 · The American Medical Association says doctors shouldn't prescribe placebos because the practice undermines trust. But in a new study, about half of the physicians surveyed say they regularly prescribe placebos — and that patients are mostly unaware.
Oct 14th, 2008 · A key element of John McCain's health plan, would allow people to buy insurance from other states — that's currently prohibited. The GOP presidential hopeful says it would open markets and bring prices down. But critics say it has the potential to drive up prices dramatically for sick people and deprive patients of important consumer protections.
Oct 11th, 2008 · A hand transplant patient is giving doctors a glimpse into how the brain can re-learn to use a hand, even decades after amputation. "We're entering a really exciting era right now where the ability to marry technology to the human brain is becoming a very real thing," one doctor says.