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    CR Digital Archive

    May 2017

    Cover Story

    Who Really Needs Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Drugs
    The latest medical thinking on who should be taking these medications—and who can skip them
    Take Charge of Your Heart Health
    When it comes to preventing and treating heart disease, you have more control than you might think

    Why Hospitals Need to Share Heart Surgery Success Rates
    Consumers deserve full transparency about the performance of the hospitals they choose
    Best Hospitals for Congenital Heart Disease
    What to do if your baby needs heart surgery
    The Dangers of Too Many Heart Tests
    When do you really need to be screened for heart disease, and with which tests?
    The Healing Power of a Heart-Healthy Diet
    More plants and healthy fats, less meat and sugar is the doctor-recommended plan for a longer life
    Slowing Down the Rush to Open Heart Surgery
    Smart questions you can ask to make informed choices
    Women More Likely to Survive Heart Attack If Treated by a Female Doctor, Study Shows
    Why symptoms are sometimes missed in women—and what you can do to protect yourself
    Understanding the Stages of Heart Disease
    High blood pressure can eventually progress to heart failure, but lifestyle changes will help you reverse course

    Special Report

    Air Ambulances: Taking Patients for a Ride
    For-profit air-ambulance companies too often pick up people who don’t need air transport—and leave families with huge bills that insurance won’t pay

    How to Beat a Surprise Medical Bill
    Even if it's an emergency and you have no choice over who treats you, it'll be a fight to get covered if a doctor is out of network
    When It's Critical to Call an Ambulance
    If it's not a true emergency, your insurance company might not cover the cost

    Features

    A New Twist on Pasta
    Can penne made from chickpeas or fusilli made from lentils taste as good as the traditional stuff­—and be healthier? We fork over our findings.
    Solving Family Money Fights
    Conversations with people you love about money concerns can get awkward and tense pretty fast. Here, experts share advice about how to navigate these flare-ups and still leave everyone on sound financial footing.

    Tastiest Ways to Top Legume Pastas
    Give red sauce a rest and try these creative ideas instead
    Tough Money Talks: Newlyweds and Nearlyweds
    What do you say when your spouse doesn't want to share finances? Or person you're about to marry has scary-high student debt?
    How to Handle Sticky Money Fights With Siblings
    Collecting a loan? Dealing fairly with an inherited family home? You'll need tact, tactics, and maybe professional help.
    What to Say When an Adult Child Needs Money Help
    Whether it's ensuring he finds a job or finds funds for education, use tough love and sensitivity
    What to Do When a Spouse Risks Family Finances
    How to get constructive conversation going with a partner whose behavior threatens your combined assets
    When Your Elderly Parent Needs to Give Up Control of Her Finances, What Do You Say to Her?
    Here's how to begin to take the reins yourself, or hand them to a qualified professional

    Product Updates

    Electric Lawn Mowers That Rival Gas Models
    Battery-powered push mowers finally have the muscle to take top scores in Consumer Reports' tests
    How to Shoot Great Video
    Digital cameras, action cams, and smartphones are very portable and let you capture high-quality footage in a variety of settings

    Image Stabilization Can Take the Shake Out of Your Shots
    This built-in technology can improve the quality of your video. Here’s how to choose the version that’s best for you.
    When to Call a Painting Contractor
    Sometimes it's worth paying a pro to get the smooth look and details you want
    5 Ways to Save Money on a Paint Job
    Tips from Consumer Reports' experts
    How Paint Colors Get Their Names
    The naming process is less serendipitous and more strategic than you might think

    Road Report

    2017 Buick LaCrosse Review: Building on Tradition
    The well-mannered LaCrosse delivers comfort, space, and a quality ride, all with a stylish new silhouette

    2017 Lincoln Continental Review: A Cultivated Cruiser
    The only thing old-fashioned about the all-new Continental is its name
    2017 Nissan Armada Review: Voyage Back in Time
    The redesign feels like a land yacht from another era
    2017 Genesis G90 Review: High-End and Powerful
    The G90 pulls into the fast lane during its debut, putting the whole luxury class on notice

    Departments

    From Our President: The Heart of the Matter
    Consumer Reports shares its latest report on hospital performance and expert advice on good heart health
    Selling It
    Goofs, glitches, and gotchas spotted by our readers
    Building a Better World, Together
    Join with us to make a safer, healthier marketplace

    The May 2017 issue of Consumer Reports provides the latest ratings and reviews plus rigorous reporting on issues that impact consumers. Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services, with more than 7 million paying members.
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