Normal values encourage some patients to opt for less drastic treatments.

Most patients in life-threatening situations would probably not opt to become guinea pigs.

As many as eight patients a week opt for one of these treatments.

"That's why many patients opt for a manual wheelchair," she said.

Some patients and doctors, wanting to do everything possible to fight the disease, may opt for chemotherapy anyway.

When patients opt for treatment outside the Oxford network, the extra fee they pay does not cover all the added costs.

Many patients do opt for pain relief, and they feel great.

But it was not immediately clear how many patients would opt to replace the valves.

Some patients are not helped by drugs or shifts in habit and opt for surgery.

The doctor looked up to see that her patients had opted to live rather than waste away.