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Did high Lp(a) lead to a heart attack?

Q. After reading your article on lipoprotein(a), I wanted to share my experience. In February of 2024, I thought I had indigestion. When antacids did not relieve the symptoms, I went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with a mild heart attack. My weight is normal; I exercise often and have well-controlled blood pressure and slightly elevated cholesterol levels. My primary care doctor did not have me on statins. A heart catheterization revealed that I had four major blockages in my coronary arteries, and I had a quadruple bypass operation. My doctor said I was the last patient he ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Organize charging cords now

DEAR HELOISE: My 12-year-old son came up with a clever hint, and it proved to be very easy and helpful to us (and maybe other people, too). He saved all the toilet paper rolls and painted them white. Then he wrapped charging cords around individual rolls and labeled each one. At one end, he made a clean cut so that he could press one end of the cord through, to keep the cord from unraveling. What used to be a kitchen junk drawer is now organized and filled with these charging cords. When we need to recharge something, we know where the cord is, and when we’re done, we return the ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Diver suffers nausea

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a scuba diver, and I recently purchased a dry suit that is expectedly tight on my neck. During my first dive with it, I pulled the hood down, and within a few minutes, I immediately felt nauseous before even entering the water. I also briefly felt lightheaded and faint. I removed the hood, loosened the neck a bit, and tried to relax. The feeling somewhat subsided. I tried again and was able to do a short 25-minute dive. But when I got out, I was immediately nauseated and subsequently vomited. I am usually quite sensitive to motion and take Dramamine when on a ...

Tips on saving seeds for next year’s garden

Fall is more than sweaters, hot cocoa and pumpkins. It’s an excellent time to save seeds from your favorite flowers to plant next year. It’s also a great way to save money and share with your fellow gardeners. So, sharpen your clippers and grab something to collect your bounty and head ...

Use cold frames to extend the growing season

You don’t have to stop gardening after the first frost. You can easily use a “cold frame” to keep producing late into the fall and early winter. The main difference between a raised garden and a cold frame is that a cold frame captures and retains heat. Raised beds can also offer the opportunity to be used as cold frames because the bed warms quicker than the ground. You will need to cover it with a lightweight clear plastic cover or a discarded window sash when it gets cold to get the heating effect. The cold frames act like mini greenhouses because they capture the heat ...