Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine
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The obesity paradox describes a survival benefit for higher body mass index in patients with heart failure. But other factors like cardiorespiratory fitness may play a role in heart failure development, severity, and survival. Although more research is needed to better understand the relationships between body mass index and fitness in patients with heart failure, evidence indicates that recommending weight loss and an exercise program is appropriate for most patients.
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Nicotine addiction and dependence is a chronic relapsing disease driven by addiction to nicotine. Proactive treatment for all tobacco users, regardless of their readiness to quit, is recommended. ⋯ Comprehensive treatment with behavioral interventions and pharmacologic therapy increases success rates of smoking cessation. Although there are many popular alternative treatments, they should not replace or delay the use of known effective therapies.
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The Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention publishes an annual report on asthma management and prevention. The report reflects the most recent evidence on asthma and its treatment and provides recommendations for clinical practice. This article reviews the guidelines with a focus on what's new and clinically important for practitioners treating this patient population.