Heart Attack Cause and Prevention

What you need to control

There are major risk factors for a heart attack that you can control:

• Smoking:  quit or cut back
• High blood pressure:  your doctor can prescribe medicine to
  keep it under control
• High cholesterol:  medication, a diet low in saturated fats,
  trans fat, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars
• Overweight or obesity:  lose unwanted pounds
• Diabetes:  control blood sugar with medication and diet
• Lack of physical activity:  become as active as possible

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309 (map)

How Blood Pressure Meds Increase Lip Cancer Risk

Recent Studies and their Results

The November California Dental Association Journal reports that according to a recent study in Archives of Internal Medicine, the risk for lip cancer increases with long-term use of antihypertensive drugs.
Researchers identified 712 patients with lip cancer compared to 22,904 matched individuals.  The lip cancer group was taking antihypertensive drugs hydrochlorothiazide and nifedipine.  These drugs are photosensitizing--they create greater sensitivity to sun exposure, especially with long term use.
It would seem a good idea, then, to use a lip balm with an adequate SPF rating, not only for moisture but also for disease prevention.
Source:  Archives of Internal Medicine, 172(16):1246-51, 2012

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics.
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170 Bakersfield, CA 93309