Prescription Errors Rising

There are as many as 7,000 deaths annually in the United States from incorrect prescriptions, according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The same organization estimates that as many as 5 percent of the 3 billion prescriptions filled each year are incorrect.
With the number of prescriptions expected to climb to 4 billion this year and the number of pharmacists steadily decreasing, there are bound to be "problems down the road," according to one expert.
What You Can Do It's not easy for consumers to protect themselves against such errors, but there are steps you can take:
1. Read the prescription your doctor gives you aloud. Ask the physician to confirm it.
2. Verify the dosages and drug names with your doctor.
3. Before going to the pharmacy, write down the dosage and drug names.
4. Go to a reputable pharmacy, one that has more than a single pharmacist working with clerk and technician helpers. You can contact your state pharmacy board for information. Some will tell you if a pharmacist has been disciplined in the past.
5. When you pick up the prescription, check the labels and make sure the dosages and drug names match what you have written down.
These steps are not foolproof but they're a good start.

Stroke Warning Signs

Stroke is a medical emergency. Know these warning signs of stroke and teach them to others.

Every second counts:
-Sudden numbness or weakness of the face arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
-Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
-Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
-Sudden troubling walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
-Sudden sever headache with no known cause

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Time lost is brain lost

Heart Disease is the Leading Cause of death in America

According to the Centers for Disease Control heart disease is the leading cause of death in America.

Chest discomfort or pain is a key warning symptom of a heart attack.

IF YOU ARE HAVING SEVERE CHEST, BACK, OR BELLY PAIN OR IF YOU THINK YOU ARE HAVING A HEART ATTACK OR STROKE, IMMEDIATELY GO TO A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE YOURSELF. CALL 911 FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORT


There are four life threatening conditions that can cause chest pain (1) a heart attack; (2) pulmonary embolism (3) aortic rupture/dissection (4) pneumothorax. Each of these has its own set of signs and symptoms

Because of the serious potentially life threatening consequences of heart disease, I will be wrtting on this subject frequently.