Health News

Rivaroxaban for Treating Pulmonary Embolism
New oral blood thinner rivaroxaban ( Xarelto ) has been shown to be safer for treating a pulmonary embolism as compared to enoxaparin ( Lovenox ) injections, and was found to be just as effective.
Genetic Test Not Necessary Before Taking Plavix
After an artery-opening procedure following a heart attack, some patients take Plavix ( clopidogrel ) to treat or prevent a blood clot. Though the drug isn't as effective in some individuals, genetic testing is not needed, a recent study suggests.
Do Birth Control Drugs Cause Blood Clots?
Women who use oral contraception, take caution: Birth control pills that contain the hormone  drospirenone may cause blood clots. Government officials are still examining study data and will decided whether the pills’ benefits outweigh the risk.
Aspirin May Cut Risk of Unprovoked Blood Clots
Low dose aspirin may help prevent an additional blood clot in patients not considered at risk. Taking a course of aspirin for at least two years could reduce the risk to patients by as much as 40 percent.
Apixaban Fails to Reduce Blood Clots
An experimental drug designed to aid severely ill patients after hospitalization is not more effective than standard treatments for reducing the risk of blood clots, a study has confirmed.
Contraceptive Side Effects
Certain birth control pills are more likely to cause serious blood clots than others. The newer forms of progesterone combined with hormonal contraceptives carry a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than older forms of the pill.
Soy Protein Reduces Clogged Artery Progression
There may be a window shortly after menopause in which women can slow the development of clogged arteries through a method as simple as taking soy protein supplements.
Stents Help the Medicine Go Down
Patients who have previously suffered from a blood vessel blockage and received a medication-coated stent to prop the artery open may have a lower risk of developing another blockage or having a heart attack.
Shorten Up Medications After Stenting
For patients with coronary disease, taking medication to prevent blood clots for up to two years provides no additional benefit in avoiding adverse heart events as compared to taking it for six months.
A New Generation of Heart Stents
Treatments are improving for heart attack patients with obstructed blood vessels. Newer technologies are both safer and more effective.