Folks who’ve had a tough case of COVID-19 shouldn’t hit the gym for basketball or an aerobics class without getting checked out by their doctor first, according to the American College for Sports Medicine. The disease wracks the body in ways that can be tough on athletes, especially if they develop “long” COVID, sports medicine…  read on >  read on >

Shoveling snow may trigger a heart attack if you’re not careful, especially if you already have risk factors, an expert warns. The combination of shoveling and cold weather can cause your arteries to spasm and constrict, explained Dr. Sam Kazziha, chief of cardiovascular services at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Detroit. “During the snow season…  read on >  read on >

It’s a familiar trope of TV and movies — a couple is engaged in passionate sex when the guy’s heart suddenly gives out. “Usually it’s a middle-aged man. Usually he’s cheating with somebody else. It’s funny, there’s this myth in our mind that this can happen,” said cardiologist Dr. Martha Gulati, who refers to the…  read on >  read on >

A few hours of exercise a week may help slow Parkinson’s disease, even if it’s just moderate activity such as walking or gardening, a new study suggests. The key is to be consistent, the researchers found. “Although medications can provide people with Parkinson’s some symptom relief, they haven’t been shown to slow the progression of…  read on >  read on >

Exercise helps you stay fit, hale and hearty, and researchers say it may also help you stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Now they have a better understanding of the hidden benefits that aid the brain. Older folks who are more physically active have higher levels of a protein that promotes better communication between the…  read on >  read on >

It’s clear that these last couple of years have been tough for a lot of people. So now that it’s the week when people make New Year’s resolutions, go easy on yourself. If you’d like to make a resolution, start small, the American Psychological Association (APA) suggests. By small, the goal should be one you…  read on >  read on >