Blood leakage may occur with valve prolapse

Dear Doctors: I am 66 years old and an avid cyclist. Last winter, after we went for a long ride, I suddenly felt lightheaded and then fainted. My doctor ordered a series of heart scans that found slight mitral valve prolapse. What is that? Should I be worried?

Bridesmaid doesn’t show up for wedding

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently got married, and while most of the day went beautifully, there’s one thing that’s really been bothering me: One of my bridesmaids, whom I considered a close friend, didn’t show up to the wedding. She never told me why.

The angriest Democrat in the room

JB Pritzker, the billionaire hotel heir who since 2019 has served as governor of Illinois, wants to be president. Like many Democrats, Pritzker believes his party has not been tough enough in opposing President Donald Trump.

CGMs are good for data in nondiabetics

ASK THE DOCTORSDear Doctors: Is there such a thing as pre-prediabetes? My doctor says it’s happening to me, and he wants me to use one of those blood sugar monitors that you stick to your arm. I thought those were for when you actually have diabetes. I am a 44-year-old man in good health.

Wife feels stuck with abusive husband

DEAR HARIETTE: I have been arguing with my husband for years. He regularly speaks to me like I am an idiot. He is rude and downright nasty.I have pleaded with him to stop treating me like this. I have asked him to go to therapy with me so we can figure out how to communicate better, but he refuses.

TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1840, the Penny Black, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, was issued in Great Britain.In 1866, racial violence broke out in Memphis, Tennessee; over a three-day span, 46 African Americans were killed.In 1898, the U.S.

DO JUST ONE THING

• Can padded envelopes with plastic cushioning embedded inside be recycled? Yes!The next time something fragile is mailed to you in a padded mailer, feel free to toss it into any recycling bin that accepts mixed paper like magazines, junk mail and office paper.

Daughter has allergic reaction at friend’s house

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m feeling frustrated and concerned after a recent experience involving my 8-year-old daughter.She has a severe peanut allergy, and last weekend, I allowed her to spend the night at her friend’s house for the first time.

Trump’s first 100 days, seems familiar

As we approach the landmark 100 days of the second Trump ascendancy, the nature of his rule has become clear. It is, to be sure, chaotic, like his first term. But this Trump presidency differs in fundamental ways.There is, this time, a consistency to the chaos.

Treadmill not for people with poor balance

Dear Doctors: I am an 85-year-old man with congestive heart failure. I have almost totally lost my balance. My treadmill quit working and my daughter, a physical therapist, thinks I do not need to replace it. She thinks it is dangerous for me. My only alternative is a walker.