For individuals of any age with severe blockages of the carotid artery, surgery to remove plaque is considered the best treatment to prevent stroke. Once considered too frail for this surgical procedure, persons over age 75 may benefit even more than younger individuals. A study published in The Lancet [April 14, 2001] compared 350 patients over age 75 undergoing carotid surgery with 350 younger patients. The older patients were as likely as the younger ones to survive the surgery and had a lower rate of disabling stroke immediately after the procedure. 
[SOURCE: Sonia Alamowitch, et al, "Risk, Causes, and Prevention of Ischaemic Stroke in Elderly Patients with Symptomatic Internal-Carotid-Artery Stenosis," The Lancet, April 14, 2001]

CHF May Increase Risk of Alzheimer’s                                                                                   

A five-year study of adults age 75 and over found that those with heart failure had a more than 80 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Subjects with diastolic blood pressure lower than 70 mm Hg also had an increased risk of dementia. The study found that use of diuretics and other blood pressure drugs tended to counteract the higher risk for dementia. [SOURCE: “Heart Failure Patients More at Risk of Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease,” Men’s Health Advisor, July, 2006; Archives of Internal Medicine]

 Grandparenting May Be Hazardous
                                                                                               

About 15 percent of American women have been or are responsible for the care of a grandchild for an extended period-six months or more. While the experience may be rewarding, it is also stressful. Data from more than 54,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study found that those who cared for their grandchildren at least nine hours a week were 55 percent more likely than other subjects to have a heart attack. Those who worked outside the home in addition to their child care duties did not have an increased risk. 
[SOURCE: Sunmin Lee, American Journal of Public Health, November, 2003, reported by Reuters Health, October 30, 2003]

Older Women Need Pap Tests                                                                                                


Just because you're a senior doesn't mean you should quit having Pap smears. The National Cancer Institute is encouraging physicians to promote Pap tests among older women, a group that tends to be tested less often. Medicare covers the cost of Pap tests for senior women every other year. Women who have had a hysterectomy generally don't need Pap tests. 
[SOURCE: "Older Women and Pap Smears," Family Practice News, May 1, 2002]

Pain a Common Theme at age 70                                                                                                


A Swedish study of 241 men and women, age 70, found that pain was a common theme in their lives. About 79 percent of the women and 53 percent of the men had experienced pain within the past two weeks-most commonly in the lower back, upper back, shoulders, arms, hands or knees. Pain was associated with symptoms of depression in all subjects but the association was strongest among males. 
[SOURCE: Ingrid Bergh, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, October, 2003, reported by Reuters Health, October 30, 2003]