Deaths From Alzheimer's Far More Common in Rural America

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• July 30, 2021
• Full Page

FRIDAY, July 30, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Death rates from Alzheimer's disease are particularly high in the rural United States, a preliminary study finds, highlighting a need for health care resources in traditionally under-served areas.

Researchers d...

Teens' Heart Risk From COVID Far Exceeds That of Vaccination: Study

• Robert Preidt
• July 30, 2021
• Full Page

Teens have a far greater risk of heart inflammation from COVID-19 than from the vaccines that protect against it, new research shows.

"Comparative risk can complicate decisions for parents in such highly charged health debates," said lead author Mendel Singer, vice chair...

AHA News: Dementia Can Complicate Heart Recovery and Treatment

• American Heart Association News
• July 30, 2021
• Full Page

Dementia is a thief. It steals a person's memory, their ability to reason, to live independently.

As people age and face more medical challenges, it also robs them of something even more basic to survival – the ability to participate in their own recovery, especially f...

Most Athletes With Genetic Heart Ailment Can Return to Play

• Cara Murez
• July 30, 2021
• Full Page

Having a genetic heart condition often means the end of sports for young athletes, but new research could be a game changer.

A 20-year study by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., suggests that for kids with most genetic heart conditions, the risks of playing sports c...

AHA News: Deaths Related to Irregular Heart Rhythm May Be Rising, Especially Among Younger People

• American Heart Association News
• July 29, 2021
• Full Page

Deaths related to atrial fibrillation appear to be on the rise, especially among younger adults, a new study suggests.

Atrial fibrillation – often called AFib – is an irregular heartbeat that sometimes leads to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascu...

AHA News: She Had a Baby. Then Emergency Heart Surgery. And a Stroke. Then, a New Heart.

• American Heart Association News
• July 29, 2021
• Full Page

In her third trimester, Kristy Novillo struggled to give tours of the Redmond, Washington, child care center where she worked as a director. Walking and talking at the same time left her out of breath.

Two months after delivering her son, Dominic, Kristy was still gaspin...

Why Strokes Can Affect Women, Men Differently

• Robert Preidt
• July 29, 2021
• Full Page

It is often said that stroke affects men and women differently. Now, scientists say the location of the stroke's damage in the brain may help explain why.

Women have more strokes, and are more likely to have symptoms such as fatigue and mental confusion rather than class...

'Moderate' Drinking May Be Heart-Healthy

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• July 28, 2021
• Full Page

WEDNESDAY, July 28, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Here's a reason to not feel guilty about drinking a glass of wine every evening: A new study suggests that people who drink moderately may have lower risks for both heart attack and stroke than teetotalers — eve...

AHA News: Find Your Way Back to the Gym – Safely

• American Heart Association News
• July 28, 2021
• Full Page

If the pandemic put your workout routine on ice, you're in good company.

Gym attendance plummeted last year, and as people slowly return, their bodies may be telling them, "Hey! It's been a while!" Even the likes of action hero Will Smith acknowledged, "I'm in the worst ...

AHA News: Determined to Ignore the Warning Signs, He's Put That Same Determination Into Heart Attack Recovery

• American Heart Association News
• July 27, 2021
• Full Page

Last summer, Don Teigen noticed he lacked his usual energy.

His ankles swelled so much they felt like cement blocks. Then there was his labored breathing. On walks with his wife, Julie, she usually struggled to keep up with him. Now, it was the other way around.

Wh...

High Blood Pressure: Which Drug Works Best for You?

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

Two long used types of blood pressure drugs are equally effective, but the less popular one seems to have fewer side effects, according to a large "real-world" study.

The two classes of medication are both recommended as "first-line" treatments for high blood pressure: a...

AHA News: Severe Sleep Apnea Could Damage Key Blood Vessels

• American Heart Association News
• July 26, 2021
• Full Page

Severe sleep apnea is associated with major changes in key arteries and could speed up vascular aging, according to new research.

The study published Monday in the Journal of the American Heart Association sought to shed new light on the link between obstructive sleep ap...

AHA News: Olympians Push the Physical Limits of Humankind, But What Limits Humans?

• American Heart Association News
• July 26, 2021
• Full Page

"Faster, higher, stronger" is the Olympic motto – and what every athlete at the Tokyo Games will be striving for.

But just how much a human can accomplish is determined by many factors, from genetic to psychological to environmental. Some experts even think we've gone ...

AHA News: 7-Day-Old's Skin Felt Cold, She Wouldn't Eat and Cried in Agony. It Was Her Heart.

• American Heart Association News
• July 22, 2021
• Full Page

Throughout Laney Lyon's 1-week birthday, small signs indicated something was wrong. She wasn't eating as much as usual. Her color seemed off. Her mom suspected jaundice and held Laney in the sun when she could.

By evening, Laney was unable to latch on to breastfeed. Her ...

Stronger Hearts, Better Outcomes in Pregnancy: Study

• Cara Murez
• July 22, 2021
• Full Page

Thinking of starting a family? Start getting your heart in shape. New research suggests that how healthy a woman's heart is before conception affects outcomes in her pregnancy.

Study author Dr. Sadiya Khan said the findings make a case for more comprehensive heart assess...

Want to Avoid Sleep Apnea? Get Off the Sofa

• Robert Preidt
• July 22, 2021
• Full Page

Here's yet another reason to limit screen time and get moving: Boosting your activity levels could reduce your risk of sleep apnea, according to a new study.

Compared to the most active people in the study, those who spent more than four hours a day sitting watching TV h...

Eating Meat Raises Risk of Heart Disease: Study

• Robert Preidt
• July 21, 2021
• Full Page

Eating beef, lamb, pork and processed meats spells trouble for your heart, and the more you eat, the worse it gets, new research warns.

The meta-analysis -- an overview of data from a large number of studies -- included more than 1.4 million people who were followed for ...

AHA News: Diabetes and Dementia Risk: Another Good Reason to Keep Blood Sugar in Check

• American Heart Association News
• July 21, 2021
• Full Page

There are many reasons to avoid getting diabetes, or to keep it controlled if you already have it: Higher risks for heart disease, stroke and for having a foot or leg amputation. But here's another one: It's a major risk factor for dementia.

While researchers are still i...

Exercise Boosts Survival for People With Implanted Defibrillators

• Robert Preidt
• July 21, 2021
• Full Page

Just small amounts of exercise can benefit people with implanted heart defibrillators, new research shows.

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a battery-powered device placed under the skin to detect abnormal heart rhythms and deliver an electric shock to ...

Breastfed Babies Have Healthier Blood Pressure as Kids

• Robert Preidt
• July 21, 2021
• Full Page

Here's another reason for new moms to give breastfeeding a try: Toddlers who were breastfed for even a few days have lower blood pressure than those who always got a bottle, research finds.

And lower blood pressure at an early age may lead to a healthier heart and blood ...

AHA News: Retired Entertainer Thought She Slept Awkwardly. It Was a Stroke.

• American Heart Association News
• July 20, 2021
• Full Page

Sharon Murff began her 58th birthday before dawn with a clicking sound in her head.

She didn't feel any pain. Yet when she looked in the mirror, the left side of her face seemed distorted.

"I didn't recognize myself," she said. "I thought maybe I just slept funny a...

One-Dose Blood Thinner Could Slash Blood Clot Risk After Knee Replacement

• Ernie Mundell and Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporters
• July 20, 2021
• Full Page

Anyone who's ever undergone knee replacement understands the real and troubling risk of post-op blood clots. Many patients are told take a daily blood thinner pill long after their procedure.

But a new study finds that a one-time injection of an experimental blood thinn...

AHA News: Lifelong Tennis Player Has Heart Attack on the Court

• American Heart Association News
• July 16, 2021
• Full Page

One balmy Wednesday evening, Kumar Seetharam devoured a slice of cheese pizza at his in-laws' house, then headed to a tennis court to hit balls with his 15-year-old daughter, Faith.

For Kumar, an avid tennis player, the exercise was a welcome break. The Florida resident ...

Statin's Health Benefits Far Outweigh  Any Potential Harms: Study

• Robert Preidt
• July 16, 2021
• Full Page

The heart benefits of cholesterol-lowering statins in people without heart disease far exceed the risks of any side effects, a new review finds.

Statins are widely prescribed to people with heart disease, and recent guidelines recommend greater preventive use of the drug...

AHA News: How Healthy Is Your Neighborhood? Where You Live Can Greatly Affect Heart, Brain Health

• American Heart Association News
• July 15, 2021
• Full Page

Liz Harris won't let anything stop her from walking. Three mornings a week, she descends three flights of stairs and heads to Anacostia Park. It's a 10-minute walk just to get there. If none of her friends are available, she walks alone. But they worry about her when she does....

AHA News: Genetic Problem Led to a Heart Transplant at 24. Her New Heart Has a Genetic Problem, Too.

• American Heart Association News
• July 14, 2021
• Full Page

At 13, Leilani Graham was running on the treadmill in her garage when she suddenly collapsed. Her mother, who was supposed to be gone, heard a bizarre moaning sound coming from the garage and rushed to find her daughter unconscious. She immediately called 911.

At the eme...

AHA News: The Challenge of Diabetes in the Black Community Needs Comprehensive Solutions

• American Heart Association News and Mark Prusakowski
• July 13, 2021
• Full Page

One thing is clear about the serious problem of diabetes among Black people in the United States: It's not just one thing causing the problem.

"It's really at all levels," said Dr. Joshua J. Joseph, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabet...

Athletes Face Twice the Odds for A-Fib

• Robert Preidt
• July 13, 2021
• Full Page

Athletes have a much higher risk of the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation than non-athletes, and younger athletes have a higher risk than older athletes, according to a new report from Britain.

Atrial fibrillation (a-fib) is an irregular, often rapid heart rate ...

AHA News: How Technology Is Improving Health Information Access for the Deaf Community

• American Heart Association News
• July 12, 2021
• Full Page

Early in Dr. Michael McKee's career, one of his patients, who was deaf, died from a heart attack. It led him to study how to prevent it from happening to others.

That tragic event might not have happened, he said, if there had been "accessible community health education ...

AHA News: Born With a Severe Heart Defect, 9-Year-Old Boy Defies All Odds

• American Heart Association News
• July 9, 2021
• Full Page

Twenty weeks into her pregnancy, Hannah Lewis eagerly went to a doctor's visit expecting to learn the gender of her first child. Only 19, Lewis was excited and nervous about becoming a mother, and thrilled when she learned she was having a boy.

But that day, her doctor r...

AHA News: How to Eat Right and Save Money at the Same Time

• American Heart Association News
• July 8, 2021
• Full Page

You want to eat healthy. You need to save cash. Can you have it both ways?

Yes, experts say.

"People think that healthy eating is an elite thing, that it's something you can only do if you have lots of money, and lots of spare time, and all kinds of fancy equipment...

Low-Dose Aspirin Cuts Heart Risks in Patients Battling Pneumonia

• Robert Preidt
• July 8, 2021
• Full Page

Aspirin has long been taken by heart patients to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, but a new study suggests that it can also guard against cardiovascular trouble in pneumonia patients.

Such complications are common in pneumonia patients and strongly associated ...

AHA News: Fit and 41, She Thought Nothing of Her Family History – Until Her Heart Attack

• American Heart Association News
• July 7, 2021
• Full Page

Nicole Lazowski was no stranger to hospitals.

Her father battled heart disease for as long as she could remember. She was 7 when he had his first of five heart attacks.

"I grew up in and out of hospitals, going there with my parents," Nicole said. "My father was a ...

Plant-Based Diet Best for Your Heart

• Robert Preidt
• July 7, 2021
• Full Page

Want to be good to your ticker?

Load up on veggies — especially beans, Italian researchers recommend.

They've published a comprehensive review of research on eating habits and heart disease that provides consistent evidence that eating less salt and animal protei...

AHA News: Smoking Harms the Brain, Raises Dementia Risk – But Not If You Quit

• American Heart Association News
• July 6, 2021
• Full Page

Everyone knows smoking is bad for the heart and lungs. But the damage it does to the brain often gets less attention than it should – from smokers and health care providers alike.

Researchers say that comes at a steep cost.

"We know that smoking harms every organ...

AHA News: Watermelon Is a Summertime Staple. But What's Hidden Behind the Sweetness?

• American Heart Association News
• July 1, 2021
• Full Page

Whether they're serving as snacks at a family reunion or props in a late-night comedy act, watermelons and fun just seem to go together. But how does watermelon hold up health-wise?

Smashingly, you might say.

"I'm definitely impressed by its health benefits," said ...

AHA News: Diagnosed With Preeclampsia Late in Pregnancy, She Had a Stroke 5 Days After Giving Birth

• American Heart Association News
• July 1, 2021
• Full Page

Always game for a new challenge, Andrea Engfer began running with a friend in her small town of Orting, Washington. She liked it so much, she signed up for a 5K. Then another – and so on.

"I try to improve every time, even if it's by 10 seconds," she said. "That gets m...

Sleep, Exercise & Your Odds for a Long, Healthy Life

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• July 1, 2021
• Full Page

THURSDAY, July 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Poor quality sleep can shave years off your life, and these effects may be magnified if you don't get enough physical activity.

That's the bad news. The good news is that getting more exercise may help counter...

Wealth & Health: How Big Financial Changes Affect Your Heart

• Robert Preidt
• July 1, 2021
• Full Page

The state of your finances may affect more than your pocketbook.

So claims new research that suggests a loss of wealth is associated with an increased risk of heart problems, while a boost in finances is associated with a lower risk.

"Low wealth is a risk fact...

AHA News: Women With Heart Failure From Breast Cancer Treatment May Fare Better Than Previously Thought

• American Heart Association News
• June 30, 2021
• Full Page

Women who develop heart failure following certain breast cancer treatments are generally healthier and have a better prognosis than those with heart failure from other causes, a new study finds.

Two widely used treatments for breast cancer are known to harm the heart. A ...

AHA News: Farming Takes Root in Seattle-Area Food Desert

• American Heart Association News
• June 30, 2021
• Full Page

Nine thousand miles separate Veronica Karanja from her mother's farm in Kenya and where she now farms in Kent, Washington.

Karanja's expertise – and her vegetables that are culturally significant in Kenya – are helping transform a food desert just south of Seattle by...

Delicious & Deadly: Southern U.S. Diet Tied to Higher Odds for Sudden Death

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• June 30, 2021
• Full Page

WEDNESDAY, June 30, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Planning to celebrate the Fourth of July with a traditional Southern-style spread of fried chicken, pork rinds, buttermilk biscuits and sweet tea?

Don't make it an everyday habit.

These staples of a r...

AHA News: Embraceable, Healthy News: Hugging Is Back

• American Heart Association News
• June 29, 2021
• Full Page

After a year of being COVID-cautious, Linda Matisoff counted the days until she could hug her 5-year-old granddaughter, Laila, again.

In March, two weeks after getting her second dose of the vaccine, it was finally time.

"We were coming down the street, getting clo...

Unhappy Marriages Could Mean Shorter Lives for Men

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• June 29, 2021
• Full Page

Men, take note: An unhappy marriage might end in divorce, but staying unhappily hitched could also raise your risk of stroke or early death, a new Israeli study suggests.

The increased risk was as much as that seen with smoking or a 'couch potato' lifestyle, said lead re...

Weekly Injected Drug Could Boost Outcomes for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

• Robert Preidt and Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporters
• June 29, 2021
• Full Page

People with type 2 diabetes face heightened risks for heart attack and stroke, as well as progressive kidney disease. But a new once-a-week injected drug called efpeglenatide could greatly reduce their odds for those outcomes, new research shows.

The clinical trial was ...

High Deductibles Keep Folks With Chest Pain From Calling 911

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• June 28, 2021
• Full Page

MONDAY, June 28, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- The public health message has always been loud and clear: If you are experiencing a medical emergency such as chest pain, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

But a new study shows that a $1,000 or hig...

AHA News: Doctor Thought High Blood Pressure Was His Only Problem – Then He Had a Heart Attack

• American Heart Association News
• June 28, 2021
• Full Page

Dr. David Watlington knew his family history put him at increased risk of heart disease.

Even so, when he was diagnosed with high blood pressure in February, he blamed it on the 18 pounds he'd gained over the past year.

His cholesterol was normal and he'd passed a ...

AHA News: As She Makes History, Dr. Rachel Levine Stays Focused on Healing

• American Heart Association News
• June 25, 2021
• Full Page

Dr. Rachel Levine wanted to work in health because she wanted to help people. Along the way, she became an icon.

Levine, the assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services, made history in March when she became the first openly transgender ...

Potato Chips, Fatty Lunches Greatly Raise Your Heart Risks

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• June 24, 2021
• Full Page

A steady lunch routine of cheeseburgers and fries may shorten your life, but loading your dinner plate with vegetables could do the opposite.

Those are among the findings of a new study looking at the potential health effects of not only what people eat, but when.

...

AHA News: After a Stroke at 26, Determined Athlete Fights Back

• American Heart Association News
• June 24, 2021
• Full Page

Jesse Shea felt a little cloudy when he got up for work on a Monday. He chalked it up to being out later than usual to watch football with friends.

Jesse drove to the dock in Cape May, New Jersey, where he worked on a tugboat for a salvage operation. It was a demanding j...