Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that replaces hormones (primarily oestrogen, often combined with progestogen) that decline during menopause. It is used to relieve menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, mood changes, and vaginal dryness, and has benefits for bone density and long-term health. For women who have had a cardiac … Read more
A heart assist device (also called a ventricular assist device or VAD) is a mechanical pump surgically implanted to supplement or replace the pumping function of a failing heart. These devices are used when the heart can no longer maintain adequate circulation despite optimal medical therapy. The most commonly used type is the left ventricular … Read more
A clinical guideline is a systematically developed statement designed to help clinicians and patients make informed decisions about appropriate care for specific clinical circumstances. Guidelines are produced by authoritative bodies using formal processes of evidence review, expert consensus and public consultation, and are regularly updated as new evidence emerges. In the UK, the National Institute … Read more