TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2018 (American Heart Association) — The wait for a heart transplant varies widely based on factors such as availability of donor hearts and blood type, but little is known about differences in wait times based on race and ethnicity. Now, preliminary research suggests African-American patients may experience longer wait times than other… read on >
Fungal infections — common in toenails and fingernails — have typical symptoms including discoloration, a thick and brittle appearance, crumbly edges and a curled up or down shape. Since fungus thrives in moist places, sweaty socks and shoes provide a great environment for fungus. Such infections are more common after age 60, and among those… read on >
Smoking and drinking often go hand-in-hand, stimulating pleasure centers in the brain. But there’s even more to this unhealthy relationship than meets the eye. Researchers have found that nicotine in cigarettes cancels out the sleepiness caused by alcohol, basically allowing people to keep drinking … and smoking. The two vices feed off of each other.… read on >
Children and teens who suffer a sports-related concussion should reduce, but not eliminate, physical and mental activity in the days after their injury, an American Academy of Pediatrics report says. “Athletes absolutely need to take an immediate break from play after a concussion, but we find that, during the recovery process, it is best to… read on >
People who’ve suffered major traumatic injuries are at much greater risk for mental health problems and suicide, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from more than 19,000 people in the Canadian province of Ontario who suffered serious injuries. Most of the injuries (89 percent) were accidental rather than intentional (for example, car crashes and… read on >
Take the stairs up to your office. Park a little further away from the grocery store. Walk your dog around the block. Carry out the trash. Any amount of physical activity — even two minutes’ worth — can add up to huge benefits for your immediate and long-term health, according to the new edition of… read on >
A simple pop-up alert on a computer screen could help save the brains and hearts of many hospital-bound people with an irregular heartbeat, a new clinical trial reveals. Rates for heart attack and stroke plunged by close to 90 percent in people helped by the new program, the study found. The computer alert warns doctors… read on >
Eating more fish or taking a fish oil supplement can reduce your risk of a heart attack, according to a pair of Harvard-led clinical trials. Heart benefits from omega-3 fatty acids were found both in healthy people and in people with conditions that put them at increased risk of heart attack, stroke or heart disease,… read on >
A lifelong approach to lowering cholesterol, starting in some kids as young as 2, is the United States’ best bet to lower everyone’s risk of heart attack and stroke, according to updated guidelines released Saturday by the American Heart Association (AHA). “Personalized” cholesterol-fighting tactics recommended by the guidelines include: More detailed risk assessments, to help… read on >
The diabetes drug Farxiga might do double-duty for patients, helping to ward off another killer, heart failure, new research shows. Type 2 diabetics who took Farxiga (dapagliflozin) saw their odds of hospitalization for heart failure drop by 27 percent compared to those who took a placebo, according to a study funded by the drug’s maker,… read on >
