New Spanish-Language Guides Inform Decisions about Heart Disease and Other Illnesses

A free, illustrated easy-to-read pamphlet that compares drugs for preventing heart attacks, heart failure or strokes in people with stable coronary heart disease is one of six new Spanish-language publications from HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality that help patients compare treatments for common illnesses.

The publication, Guía para pacientes que están en tratamiento de una cardiopatía coronaria estable ("ACE Inhibitors" and "ARBs" to Protect Your Heart?—A Guide for Patients Being Treated for Stable Coronary Heart Disease), summarizes the benefits and risks of medications called ACE Inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme) and ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers). These medications help reduce blood pressure in patients who often take other heart-related medications such as aspirin, blood thinners, or cholesterol-lowering drugs.

"This new Spanish-language guide on heart medications is part of AHRQ's ongoing effort to give Hispanics the knowledge they need to take a greater role in their health care," said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. "All patients should have access to the best information available so they can work with their doctor to identify the best treatment for them."

The additional five Spanish-language guides that compare treatment options for common illnesses are:

• Controle el dolor por una fractura de cadera (Managing Pain from a Broken Hip) compares medications for controlling pain from hip fracture as well as other therapies, such as nerve blocks and acupressure.
• Opciones para tratar el desgarro de los músculos y tendones del hombro (Treatment Options for Rotator Cuff Tears) compares surgical and non-surgical treatments, including physical therapy, to treat rotator cuff injury—the often painful tearing of shoulder-based tendons that are used to help lift and rotate the arms.
• La depresión después de una lesión cerebral (Depression after Brain Injury) compares antidepressants and psychotherapy for treating depression in people who suffered brain injury from trauma, such as a blow to the head.
• Conozca sobre la radioterapia en el cáncer de cabeza y cuello (Understanding Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer) compares different types of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, including Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy and Two-Dimensional Radiation Therapy.
• Hormona del crecimiento humano para los niños con fibrosis quística (Human Growth Hormone for Children with Cystic Fibrosis) discusses the benefits and risks of somatropin, a human growth hormone that is injected in children daily for growth problems associated with cystic fibrosis.

AHRQ now offers 23 publications in Spanish that compare treatments for heart and vascular system conditions, diabetes, cancer, bone and joint-related conditions, pregnancy, mental health and digestive system ailments. These and their English-language companion guides were produced by AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program, which conducts patient-centered outcomes research and makes research results available to consumers, clinicians, policymakers and others.

AHRQ's Spanish-language Effective Health Care patient guides are available online at http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/informacion-en-espanol/. To order printed copies, E-mail the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov or call (800) 358-9295. For other AHRQ Spanish-language consumer tools, go to https://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/espanoix.htm.

For more information, please contact AHRQ Public Affairs: (301) 427-1539 or (301) 427-1855.

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