There is no evidence to support the widespread use of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs to prevent heart disease and stroke in old and very old people, Spanish researchers say. For the new study, the investigators analyzed data from nearly 47,000 people aged 75 and older with no history of heart disease. Statins were not associated with… read on >
The threat of rattlesnake bites in California decreases during droughts and increases after rainy weather, a new study finds. Rainy spells result in more shrub growth and, with that, more rodents, the snakes’ primary food source, said study author Dr. Grant Lipman, an emergency medicine physician at Stanford Medicine, and colleagues. “More food, more snakes,… read on >
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with kidney failure, the National Kidney Foundation says. If you need dialysis and also have heart issues, your heart treatment may be changed somewhat to accommodate your need for dialysis. The Foundation suggests these tips to protect your heart: Eat a heart-healthy diet Get regular… read on >
Is it time to let procrastinators off the hook? The inclination to delay things rather than get right to work on them may be hardwired into some people’s brains, and not the product of a flawed character, German researchers suggest. The findings come from brain scans of 264 men and women. MRIs revealed that a… read on >
U.S. voters’ despair over poor health and premature deaths might have tipped the 2016 presidential election in Donald Trump’s favor, a new analysis argues. Counties that voted Republican more heavily had a 15 percent higher age-adjusted death rate than counties that voted heavily Democratic, researchers found. In particular, counties that shifted toward Trump had much… read on >
Firefighters who die from cardiac arrest tend to have underlying heart problems, a new study finds. Cardiac arrest accounts for more job-related deaths among firefighters than any other cause, and researchers wanted to know what ups their risk. “Firefighters face many dangers, but the greatest risk is from underlying cardiovascular disease in combination with the… read on >
No one looks forward to surgery, but if you’re able to have an elective procedure — meaning on your schedule — rather than an emergency operation, taking certain steps in the weeks beforehand will lead to a better outcome and easier recovery. Work on getting healthier through aerobic exercise, which improves lung function by expanding… read on >
Chronic back pain makes it more difficult to do your job, whether you’re behind a desk or operating heavy machinery. The Mayo Clinic suggests how to avoid back pain at work: Maintain good posture. Lift with your legs and tighten your core muscles, and avoid twisting. When possible, use a lifting device. Alternate physically demanding… read on >
Lawnmower injuries range from minor cuts and burns to broken bones and amputations, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand says. The society suggests how to stay safer while using a mower: Read the mower’s manual before use. Keep the mower in good working order with sharp blades. Make sure the mower has protection… read on >
In vitro fertilization gives couples struggling to conceive the chance to have children, but a new study suggests these kids are at increased risk for high blood pressure. The study, of 54 teens conceived through assisted reproduction, found that eight — or 15 percent — had high blood pressure. That compared with just one case… read on >
