Recent Blog Articles
Postpartum anxiety is invisible, but common and treatable
The popularity of microdosing of psychedelics: What does the science say?
Pouring from an empty cup? Three ways to refill emotionally
Is pregnancy safe for everyone?
New pediatric guidelines on obesity in children and teens
Screening tests may save lives — so when is it time to stop?
Natural disasters strike everywhere: Ways to help protect your health
The case of the bad placebo
Do we feel pain more at night?
If you use cannabis, do it safely
Be alert to radiation risk from medical tests, advises the Harvard Heart Letter
With a little help from radiation, doctors can examine the heart and even clear clogged arteries without ever opening the chest. But there can be a price to pay for these advances, reports the April 2009 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter. Exposure to radiation can damage DNA and lead to uncontrolled cell division, the hallmark of cancer. The delicate balance between benefit and risk demands the judicious use of radiation for diagnosing and treating disease.
The amount of radiation delivered by medical tests or procedures varies widely. A chest x-ray delivers a tiny fraction of the amount of natural background radiation we receive each year. By comparison, computed tomography (CT) scans and some nuclear stress tests deliver up to 10 times the annual background dose.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
