Breaking News

Lifestyles

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Benefits, risks of multiple statins

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a preemployment physical for my current position as a firefighter/EMT back in January. I had another preemployment physical for a new position with the fire department last month, and both physicians suggested a statin based on my high cholesterol. Both tests had similar results; my cholesterol was 272 mg/dL, my HDL was 52 mg/dL, and my LDL was 199 mg/dL. My other blood tests and electrocardiogram were fine. I figured that I should probably try to get on a statin and manage the situation. I had a telehealth visit with a physician’s assistant who put me on 40 mg ...

Bridge by Steve Becker for Aug. 14

1. Four notrump. Slam is a near certainty — you have 17 high-card points instead of the 13 you might have had for your first two bids, and strong trumps. The chief purpose of the Blackwood bid is to cover the possibility that partner has no aces. You plan to bid six clubs if partner shows ...

Der Annie: Tired of watching her choose heartbreak

DEAR ANNIE: My granddaughter has a boyfriend who keeps cheating on her — three times now, and those are only the times I know about. Each time, she takes him back, swearing he’s changed. I’m old enough to know how that story ends. She’s smart and kind, and I hate watching her with someone who doesn’t treat her the way she deserves. I’ve bitten my tongue up until now — it’s her life, after all, and she’s entitled to her own decisions — but I don’t have the heart to sit quietly through this when it inevitably happens again. How do I get her to see what I see before ...

Hints from Heloise: Getting rid of trash can odors

DEAR HELOISE: I live in Texas, and there’s no way that I’m going to leave my trash can open to feed any roaches that may have wandered into the house. Also, if I have paper that was wrapped around fish, it’s going to stink whether it gets air or not. What I do is occasionally spray an air freshener that kills odors into the trash can and close it. Problem solved! — Emily M., in Kingwood, Texas DEAR HELOISE:All summer, I grew veggies in my garden. They tasted good, but my brother pointed out that because the plants were so close to the road, they probably picked up lead and ...

To Your Good Health: His heart condition requires therapy

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a physically active 75-year-old man. I’m taking atorvastatin, losartan and amlodipine. During my annual physical in January 2025, my physician noticed a heart murmur. I had an echocardiogram done in February 2025 that showed a dilated proximal ascending aorta, measuring at 4.1 centimeters. It was 3.9 centimeters in January 2024. In February 2026, I had a repeat echocardigoram to check my ascending aorta, and it stabilized at 4.1 cm. However, it showed that there’s a mid-cavitary gradient of 44 mmHg at rest that increased to 99 mmHg with a Valsalva maneuver. ...