2011 - Summer

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NSAIDs shouldn’t be taken after

after Jason told Rochelle he was confused by all the bills he was receiving, Rochelle asked him to drop them off at the regional office, and the office staff created

heart attack

a spread sheet for him that showed which bills were under the transplant global reimbursement and which were not. The biggest change in Jason came when he started calling Rochelle to let her know that he already had handled a situation. She said he still needed the encouragement, but was confident enough, and understood the medical terminology enough, to handle it on his own. When he called to say he was in remission, the entire office cheered. Jason stops by the Pine Bluff office on occasion to visit his friends, which is who Rochelle and the others have become.

Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

(NSAIDs) — even for brief periods — after a heart attack increases your risk for another heart attack and death, according to a study in the American Heart Association journal, Circulation. Researchers in Denmark identified more than 80,000 patients who’d been treated for a first heart attack and then studied the prescriptions they received afterward.

Existing Programs Keeping you healthy isn’t anything new for Arkansas Blue Cross. Our health education programs offer expecting mothers guidance on getting ready for their newborns, and help adults and kids with chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma. If you’re one of many who have low back pain, we can help there, too. And, if you haven’t already, check out our Web sites for discounts to fitness centers and weight-loss programs throughout the state. Arkansas Blue Cross is good for you no matter if you are healthy and want to stay that way, or need some help getting back into more healthy habits.

More than 40 percent of patients received at least one

Keeping You Well So, is wellness really an important part of Arkansas Blue Cross’ business? “A major portion of our national health care needs would not exist if people had a better diet, exercised appropriately, didn’t smoke or use tobacco products of any kind and only consumed alcohol in reasonable quantities,” said Dr. Griffin. “And, wellness improves the health status of our members. So, along with outstanding customer service and operations, we promote wellness. And that is another way we continue to be good for you.”

If you take the medication dabigatran, also known

prescription for an NSAID after their heart attacks. Risks of another heart attack or death were significantly higher during treatment with all NSAIDs, but Diclofenac (sold under the brand name Voltaren) had the greatest risk. Naproxen had the lowest risk. The authors say their results indicate, “there is no apparent safe therapeutic window” for NSAIDs in patients with a prior heart attack.

Store dabigatran in original container by the brand name Pradaxa, you only should store it in its original container, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dabigatran is an anticoagulant, which means it prevents blood clots. Dabigatran comes in bottles and in blister packets that seal out moisture. After the pills have been exposed to air, they must be used within 60 days. If you move the medication to a pill organizer or pill box, or take the pills out of the blister packet, the humidity in the air may cause it to lose its potency. Blue & You Summer 2011

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