American Indians Face the Highest Odds for Stroke

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• March 4, 2021
• Full Page

THURSDAY, March 4, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- While strokes strike many Americans, a new study shows the risk is particularly high among American Indians.

Researchers already knew that American Indians had the highest risk of atrial fibrillation, which i...

U.S. Hispanics at High Heart Disease Risk and Many Go Untreated: Report

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• March 4, 2021
• Full Page

THURSDAY, March 4, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Even after suffering a stroke, many Hispanic Americans still have uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure or other conditions that raise their risk of a repeat one, a new study finds.

The study involved 40...

'Rerouting' Brain Blood Flow: Old Technique Could Be New Advance Against Strokes

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• March 3, 2021
• Full Page

Doctors are testing a decades-old surgical technique as a new way to treat certain stroke patients. And the preliminary results look promising, they say.

At issue are strokes caused by intracranial atherosclerosis, where blood vessels within the brain become hardened and...

'Telestroke' Care at Hospitals Is Boosting Patient Outcomes

• Ernie Mundell and Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporters
• March 2, 2021
• Full Page

You've had a stroke and arrive at a hospital, but the stroke specialist is off-duty. Never fear: Telemedicine may help save your life.

Especially during the COVID-19 crisis, so-called 'telestroke' services -- where health workers use video to consult with a stroke specia...

Common Antidepressants Won't Raise Risk for Bleeding Strokes: Study

• Robert Preidt
• February 26, 2021
• Full Page

The most widely prescribed antidepressants in the United States don't appear to increase the risk of the deadliest type of stroke, according to a new preliminary study.

It examined the association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and intracerebral ...

Even Low Levels of Air Pollution Harm Heart, Lungs

• Robert Preidt
• February 22, 2021
• Full Page

Breathing in air that has even low levels of pollution poses a threat to older adults' heart and lungs, a new study warns.

Researchers analyzed medical records of more than 63 million Medicare patients from 2000 to 2016. They found that long-term exposure to low levels o...

Researchers Use Computers and 'Exoskeletons' to Help Stroke Survivors

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• February 2, 2021
• Full Page

Stroke survivor Ken Allsford focused intensely on how he wanted to bend his elbow.

And then the robot exoskeleton attached to his left arm obeyed his unspoken command, moving his crippled limb.

"It was a combination of exciting and trepidation, because sometimes no...

Exercise Rehab Should Include Stroke Survivors, Study Suggests

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• January 27, 2021
• Full Page

Exercise programs that are standard for heart attack survivors can also benefit people who've suffered a stroke, a new pilot study suggests.

Researchers found that a three-month cardiac rehabilitation program improved fitness levels and muscle strength in 24 stroke survi...

Smoking Raises Risk for Deadly 'Bleeding Strokes'

• Robert Preidt
• January 14, 2021
• Full Page

There's yet another reason to quit smoking: It increases the risk of deadly bleeding strokes, a new study warns.

Researchers focused on a type of stroke called subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which occurs when a blood vessel on the surface of the brain ruptures and bleeds...

Heart Risk Factors May Be Especially Unhealthy in People With Psoriasis

• Steven Reinberg
• January 4, 2021
• Full Page

People with metabolic syndrome and the skin condition psoriasis are at especially high risk for heart attack and stroke, a new study warns.

Psoriasis has been known to increase the risk of heart disease, but researchers have now pegged metabolic syndrome as a key reason....

Police Use of Neck Restraint Never Medically Appropriate, Neurologists Say

• Cara Murez
• January 4, 2021
• Full Page

Despite training that teaches police officers to use neck restraints, there is no medical justification for the tactic, three neurologists write in JAMA Neurology.

The killing of George Floyd, who died in May 2020 after an arresting police officer pressed a kne...

Neurologists Much Tougher to Find in Rural America

• Robert Preidt
• December 29, 2020
• Full Page

A shortage of neurologists in rural parts of the United States means that people in those areas are less likely to receive specialized care for conditions such as stroke, dementia and back pain, a new study claims.

"Neurologists in the United States are not evenly spread...

COVID-19 Survival Declines When Brain Affected: Study

• Robert Preidt
• December 28, 2020
• Full Page

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with brain complications such as stroke and confusion have an increased risk of death, a new study shows.

The findings could improve care and save lives during the pandemic, the researchers said.

"This study is the first to show that ...

Weight-Loss Surgery Lowers Long-Term Heart Risks for Diabetic Teens

• Steven Reinberg
• December 21, 2020
• Full Page

Weight-loss surgery significantly reduces the risk of heart problems in obese teens with type 2 diabetes, a new study finds.

Teens who have the surgery can see their long-term risk for heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke and coronary death lowered nearly three...

Black Women at Higher Heart Risk During Pregnancy

• Amy Norton
• December 16, 2020
• Full Page

Although heart problems are rare complications of pregnancy, Black women face a heightened risk -- even if they have comfortable incomes and health insurance, a new study finds.

It's well established that the United States has a higher maternal mortality rate than other ...

Heart Disease Is World's No. 1 Killer

• Robert Preidt
• December 9, 2020
• Full Page

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide -- accounting for one-third of deaths in 2019 -- and the death toll continues to rise, a new paper says.

China had the highest number of heart disease deaths last year, followed by India, Russia, the United States and...

Metabolites' From Food Could Affect Your Stroke Risk

• Steven Reinberg
• December 3, 2020
• Full Page

Levels of some small molecules called metabolites in the body may affect your risk of stroke, a new analysis suggests.

Metabolites come from the food people eat, and they cause chemical processes within the bodies and microbes. An analysis of previously published studie...

Diabetes, High Blood Pressure Raise Odds of COVID Harming Brain

• Cara Murez
• November 30, 2020
• Full Page

COVID-19 patients with high blood pressure or diabetes may be more likely to develop critical neurological complications, including bleeding in the brain and stroke, according to an ongoing study.

University of Pennsylvania researchers studied COVID-19 patients who had a...

Heart Anatomy May Put Blacks at Higher Stroke Risk

• November 25, 2020
• Full Page

Black Americans face a heightened risk of stroke, and a new study suggests that abnormalities in the heart's upper chambers play a role.

Experts said the findings, published Nov. 25 in the journal Neurology, point to an under-recognized factor in Black Americans...

Black Americans Suffer More From Heart Disease: The AHA Wants to Change That

• Dennis Thompson
• November 23, 2020
• Full Page

The Black Lives Matter movement put racism in the United States under the glare of the public spotlight in 2020. And at its recently concluded annual meeting, the American Heart Association pledged to fight racial disparities in heart health and boost the life expectancy of al...

Is Ablation Rx the Best First Choice for A-Fib?

• Amy Norton
• November 17, 2020
• Full Page

A procedure that freezes bits of heart tissue may be a better option than medication for people with atrial fibrillation (a-fib, or AF), two clinical trials have found.

A-fib is a common heart arrhythmia in which the organ's upper chambers (the atria) beat erratically. T...

Prescription-Strength Fish Oil Won't Help Your Heart -- Or Will It?

• Steven Reinberg and Ernie Mundells
• November 16, 2020
• Full Page

Does high-strength fish oil help the heart or doesn't it?

Prior research into a prescription medicine derived from fish called Vascepa, announced earlier this year, suggested it might be of real value for heart patients.

But the results from a trial of another suc...

After Heart Attack, Pot Smoking Raises Post-Op Dangers

• Dennis Thompson
• November 10, 2020
• Full Page

Election Day 2020 saw marijuana legalization continue its march across the United States, but a pair of new studies warn that smoking pot could increase risk for heart patients.

Marijuana smokers are more likely to suffer complications like excess bleeding or stroke if t...

Asians at Higher Risk of COVID-Linked Stroke: Study

• Robert Preidt
• November 9, 2020
• Full Page

Asian COVID-19 patients in the United Kingdom have a higher stroke risk than other racial/ethnic groups, a new study finds.

Researchers analyzed data on 1,470 stroke patients admitted to 13 hospitals in England and Scotland between March and July 2020, during the first w...

Depression Has Strong Ties to Stroke, Study Finds

• Robert Preidt
• November 3, 2020
• Full Page

The more symptoms of depression people have, the higher their risk of stroke, researchers say.

"There are a number of well-known risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease; but we are beginning to understand that there are nontraditi...

Five Ways to Reduce Your Stroke Risk

• Steven Reinberg
• October 28, 2020
• Full Page

Strokes can happen any time, anywhere and at any age, which is why it's important to know how to reduce your risk, says the American Stroke Association.

First, check your blood pressure regularly.

"Checking your blood pressure regularly and getting it to a healthy ...

Diet Drinks Don't Do Your Heart Any Favors

• Amy Norton
• October 27, 2020
• Full Page

Replacing sugary drinks with diet versions may not be any healthier for the heart, a large, new study suggests.

French researchers found that people who regularly drank artificially sweetened beverages had a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, versus people who ...

Post-Stroke Rehab at Home May Work Best

• Cara Roberts Murez
• October 21, 2020
• Full Page

Could telehealth help paralyzed stroke victims recover their motor skills faster than they would working directly with a physical therapist?

Yes, claims a new study that found patients who had participated in at least 12 weeks of at-home rehabilitation with live vide...

'Weekend Effect' Affects Survival Odds for Rural Stroke Patients

• Robert Preidt
• October 21, 2020
• Full Page

Stroke patients have a higher risk of death if they're admitted to a rural hospital on the weekend, a new study finds.

University of Georgia researchers analyzed 2016 data on stroke deaths at U.S. hospitals to learn whether the so-called "weekend effect" influenced s...

Big Babies May Face Higher Lifelong A-Fib Risk

• Robert Preidt
• October 19, 2020
• Full Page

Parents are usually pleased when their newborn seems big and strong, but new research suggests that large babies may be at higher risk for the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation later in life.

Atrial fibrillation (a-fib) is the most common heart rhythm disorde...

Arm Squeezes With Blood Pressure Cuffs Might Aid Recovery After Stroke

• Steven Reinberg
• October 8, 2020
• Full Page

After administering clot-busting drugs to treat a stroke, using blood pressure cuffs to squeeze each arm might aid recovery, a new, small Chinese study suggests.

In the technique -- called remote ischemic post-conditioning -- the flow of oxygen-rich blood is repeate...

Heartsick: When Loved One Is in ICU, Spouse's Health Risks Rise

• Robert Preidt
• October 5, 2020
• Full Page

If your husband or wife is hospitalized in intensive care, you're more likely to have a heart attack or other serious heart problem in the next few weeks, a new study warns.

"Spouses of ICU patients should pay attention to their own physical health, especially in ter...

Smoking Ups Your Risk of a Fatal Brain Bleed

• Robert Preidt
• September 17, 2020
• Full Page

Smokers have a significantly raised risk of dying from a bleeding stroke, a new study warns.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from over 16,000 same-sex twin pairs in Finland. The twins were born before 1958 and followed for about 42 years (between 1976 and 20...

For Stroke Survivors, Timely Rehab Has Been Jeopardized During Pandemic

• Robert Preidt
• September 17, 2020
• Full Page

Timely rehabilitation is crucial for stroke survivors, but some may not be receiving it due to the coronavirus pandemic, experts say.

Rehabilitation can help the 795,000 stroke survivors in the United States achieve the best possible recovery, according to the Americ...

Elevated Blood Clotting Factor Linked to Worse COVID-19 Outcomes

• Serena McNiff
• September 16, 2020
• Full Page

Most people now know that COVID-19 can cause blood clots, potentially leading to paralysis, stroke, heart attack and death.

While it's not clear precisely how SARS-CoV-2 causes clots, a new study suggests that the amount of a particular protein -- called factor V --...

Untreated High Blood Pressure a Growing Problem Among Americans

• Robert Preidt
• September 10, 2020
• Full Page

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is becoming more common among Americans, putting them at increased risk for heart attack and stroke, a new study shows.

Previous research showed that in 1999-2000, 32.2% of Americans maintained blood pressure less than 140/90 mm H...

Early Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis May Thwart Heart Disease

• Robert Preidt
• September 8, 2020
• Full Page

Starting drug treatment early in rheumatoid arthritis patients may reduce their risk of heart disease, a new study suggests.

Rheumatoid arthritis at least doubles the risk of heart disease due to its links with atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries), heart ...

Remote Monitoring May Help Control High Blood Pressure

• Amy Norton
• August 31, 2020
• Full Page

Telemedicine might help people with stubbornly high blood pressure get their numbers down -- and possibly lower their risk of heart disease and stroke in the long run, a new study suggests.

Doctors already recommend that people with high blood pressure use a home mon...

Could Yoga Calm Your A-Fib? Early Findings Suggest It Might

• Amy Norton
• August 27, 2020
• Full Page

People with the heart-rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation, or a-fib, may ease their symptoms with the help of a slower-paced yoga, a preliminary study finds.

Researchers from India found that over 16 weeks of yoga sessions, a-fib patients saw their symptom e...

Rare 'Brain Vein' Strokes Are on the Rise

• Serena McNiff
• August 26, 2020
• Full Page

Most strokes strike when an artery in the brain suddenly becomes blocked, but new research shows a rarer cause of strokes is becoming more common.

It's called cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), and it happens when a vein in the brain is clogged. While CVT is estimated...

Quit Smoking to Cut Risk of Death From A-Fib

• Robert Preidt
• August 25, 2020
• Full Page

Smokers with the most common type of heart rhythm disorder can reduce their risk of stroke and death by giving up cigarettes, a new study says.

"Smoking precipitates blood clots that could lead to a stroke, which may be why giving up lowers risk," said study author S...

Why Is Stroke a Bigger Threat to Black People?

• Steven Reinberg
• August 13, 2020
• Full Page

Stroke is more deadly among Black people than whites, and the reason may come down to genetics.

Researchers who studied the genomes of more than 21,000 Black people found that a common variation near the HNF1A gene was tied to an increased risk of stroke in people o...

Marijuana Is Not Heart-Healthy, Experts Say

• Dennis Thompson
• August 5, 2020
• Full Page

As marijuana use becomes more common, could heart troubles follow?

Yes, warns a new statement from the American Heart Association (AHA).

A full understanding of how marijuana affects the heart and blood vessels remains limited by a lack of adequate research...

Study Casts Doubt on Value of Cholesterol Drugs

• Serena Gordon
• August 4, 2020
• Full Page

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide take cholesterol-lowering drugs, like statins, but now a new review suggests that many folks don't benefit from these medications.

The researchers said the review of 35 randomized controlled trials failed to show a consistent...

America's Progress Against Early Cardiovascular Death Is Slowing

• Serena McNiff
• July 29, 2020
• Full Page

From the 1960s to the 2010s, the United States experienced a major reduction in heart disease-related deaths among younger adults -- often called premature cardiac death.

But that decline has slowed significantly since 2010, and the risk of premature cardiovascular d...

Fewer Recurrent Strokes Now in Mexican Americans

• Robert Preidt
• July 16, 2020
• Full Page

The rate of second strokes among Mexican Americans has declined steeply since the turn of the century, a new study finds.

Between 2000 and 2013, the rate of recurrent stroke fell faster in Mexican Americans than in white people. By 2013, there was no difference betwe...

Smog Harms Women's Brains, But One Food May Help Buffer the Damage

• E.J. Mundell
• July 15, 2020
• Full Page

Dirty air is the curse of urban living, and studies have shown that breathing it in harms the brains of men and women alike.

But a new study suggests that diet can help reverse the damage: Older women who regularly ate fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids seemed to bette...

Beta Blocker Heart Meds Might Pose Special Risks for Women

• E.J. Mundell
• July 13, 2020
• Full Page

Millions of Americans are prescribed blood pressure medicines called beta blockers, especially after a heart attack. But a new Italian study finds that these go-to drugs might not work as well for women as they do for men.

"What we found presents a solid case for ree...

Follow Exercise Guidelines and You'll Live Longer, Study Says

• Robert Preidt
• July 3, 2020
• Full Page

Getting the recommended amount of exercise could cut your risk of early death, a new study indicates.

U.S. government guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic activity a week. They also sugge...

Stroke Appears 8 Times More Likely With COVID Than With Flu

• Steven Reinberg
• July 2, 2020
• Full Page

Both flu and COVID-19 can raise your risk for a stroke, but the odds appear to be eight times higher with the coronavirus, a new study finds.

Among more than 1,900 patients with COVID-19, 1.6% suffered a stroke, versus 0.2% of nearly 1,500 patients seriously ...