Heart of the Matter
Dr. Christopher Hager is a Family Physician who practices at Lincoln Family Medicine in Ephrata, Pa.
He is currently involved in leadership as the President-elect of the Lancaster City and County Medical Society. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Lancaster County Medical Foundation which runs the "PALCO" project for patients without health insurance.
Latest Posts
Lipitor, the world's biggest-selling drug, became available as a generic (atorvastatin) late last year. Will it change cardiovascular care in the United States? Some experts think it will.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
4/25/2012 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
Every year, a patient of mine has a heart attack or stroke..... and it is almost always unexpected. Americans suffer more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes annually. Heart disease is responsible for 1 of every 4 deaths in this country. But you don't have to be counted among those numbers—if you pay attention to your heart ABCS.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
2/29/2012 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
Yes, says a new study from Canada, adding to existing research that indicates winter is a prime time for heart attacks. So before you go out to shovel the snow that we will get this winter, know your heart-attack risk and follow a few simple rules.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
1/11/2012 3:00:00 AM | with
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You already know how important it is to be vaccinated against the flu virus. But should you get the shot or the nasal spray?
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
12/8/2011 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
You're sniffling, coughing, have the chills, and a headache. Do you have the common cold or is it the flu? Should you try home remedies or head to the doctor for medicine you've heard can lessen the impact of the flu? Check out our chart of cold and flu symptoms for help.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
11/3/2011 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
You hear it every fall—the annual reminder to get your flu shot. Here are three reasons why you need to be vaccinated against this highly contagious disease.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
9/29/2011 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
Confused about taking a statin to prevent heart disease? With the recent Food and Drug Administration limits placed on high-dose simvastatin—known as Zocor—it's easy to forget that statins have revolutionized the treatment of high cholesterol.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
9/19/2011 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
Blame it on your thyroid: The fatigue, weight gain, hair loss. That small gland in the front of your neck, the body's great regulator, often just doesn't work right, and it's important to get the proper treatment to avoid serious health problems.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
7/7/2011 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
A personal physician who heads a team of professionals who will treat your illnesses, show you how to prevent diseases, manage any conditions you may have, and coordinate specialized care if you need it?
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
5/26/2011 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
Has sleep taken a back seat in your life to burning the midnight oil, watching the late shows, tuning in to Sports Center or surfing the Internet? You could be setting yourself up for a variety of problems, according to growing research about why we need sleep.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
3/3/2011 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
The pneumonia shot protects you from pneumonia, an infection of the lungs usually caused by viruses or bacteria. People who are more likely to have serious complications from pneumonia should get the shot, including those with chronic diseases, anyone age 65 or older, and children under 2 years old.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
12/27/2010 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
Looking for simple ways to improve your heart health? A new study shows that with a few tweaks to your diet, you can lower your risk of heart disease.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
10/13/2010 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease. It’s becoming increasingly common in the United States, posing a significant health threat to the population.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
8/22/2010 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
It is amazing to realize that we are already in the middle of our summer – it certainly seems to go by too quickly. Most of us, and certainly myself, have been anticipating summertime for many months: that trip to the beach, grilling on the deck, longer days and now…. The HEAT!!!
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
7/12/2010 7:00:00 AM | with
1 comments
There are many diets out there to help people lose weight, including three notable options: Atkins Diet, Mediterranean Diet and Calorie Restriction Diet. All three are effective in helping you lose weight, but are they good for your overall well being, and for your heart health?
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
4/19/2010 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
So we all know that Americans tend to struggle with a little extra “padding” on our bodies. How much of a problem is it? Recent statistics from the CDC suggest that as many as 1 out of every 3 adults is defined as obese.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
2/8/2010 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
The problem isn't the weight we may gain over the holidays; it's that we don't always do what we need to do afterward to lose that weight at the start of the new year. Here are some simple ways you can shed those extra pounds.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
1/16/2010 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
There are a few simple steps you can take to improve your health; things that will make a big difference at your next checkup. Here are five ways to help you maximize the time you spend with your doctor during your next appointment.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
12/14/2009 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
Did you know that the average American watches more than 4 hours of TV per day? Many of us have the time but may not make exercise a high enough priority. Recent research cited by the Mayo Clinic suggests seven areas of great gain linked to exercise.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
11/23/2009 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments
Dr. Christopher Hager, a family physician at Lincoln Family Medicine, is a believer in the value of nurturing a solid patient-physician relationship… combining modern technology with traditional communication and creativity to improve your healthy outcomes.
Posted by
Christopher Hager, MD on
11/4/2009 7:00:00 AM | with
0 comments