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Key takeaways: Lifestyle changes are a vital part of keeping blood pressure healthy and controlled. Sometimes, lifestyle changes may not be enough and medication might be the best next step. There are multiple medication options for lowering blood pressure, each with their own risks and benefits. Know the key questions to ask yourself and your [...]

Key takeaways: Medicare began with just Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medicare now features four major parts: Parts A and B (original Medicare) and optional add-ons Part C (Medicare Advantage, an alternative that bundles the parts together) and Part D (prescription drug coverage). Medigap is the nickname for Medicare supplement insurance, [...]

Key takeaways: An emergency use authorization (EUA) allows for vaccines, tests, and treatments to be used during a public health emergency based on best available evidence — without being fully FDA-approved. The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines have been issued EUAs. Pfizer and Moderna have started the process for full approval. Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine may be [...]

Key takeaways:  There are currently three authorized COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. — two mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) and one viral vector vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). The three COVID-19 vaccines cause similar side effects, including mild flu-like symptoms and injection-site reactions. Severe reactions to the vaccines are very rare. Each vaccine provides very [...]

Key takeaways: Viruses mutate a lot, and sometimes mutations impact how easily the virus spreads or how well vaccines work against it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health partners are monitoring COVID-19 variants of concern — variants that spread more easily or reduce vaccine effectiveness. Vaccine manufacturers are working to [...]

Key takeaways: Most vaccinated people are protected from COVID-19 even if they don’t have side effects. Only about 50% of people vaccinated with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines experienced side effects other than arm pain, while 95% were protected from COVID-19 infection. Less than half of people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine [...]

Key takeaways:  Put your name on a waitlist, sign up for Twitter alerts, and register in advance if possible to reduce your wait for a vaccine appointment. Arrive early for your appointment and plan on waiting an extra 15 minutes after your COVID-19 vaccine. Some side effects such as muscle pain and fatigue are normal [...]