Flu and COVID are sweeping across the country, posing a particular hazard to people at risk for heart disease. These respiratory infections can trigger heart complications from fever, dehydration and inflammation, experts from Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital say. Mount Sinai doctors are seeing an increase in heart problems prompted by respiratory infections, and it’s…  read on >  read on >

Depression affects half of the 6 million Americans who struggle with debilitating heart failure.  Now, research shows that two leading modes of treatment — antidepressants and an approach called behavioral activation psychotherapy — work equally well to ease depression among these patients. Behavioral activation psychotherapy works by promoting involvement in activities that the patient enjoys,…  read on >  read on >

Back pain is a double-edged sword. In most cases, it disappears within about six weeks. But when it doesn’t, low back pain is likely to bother you for the long haul, researchers warn. “The good news is that most episodes of back pain recover, and this is the case even if you have already had…  read on >  read on >

Britain’s King Charles III is expected undergo surgery next week to correct an enlarged prostate, and experts say these procedures are common in older men and safe. The king, 75, has what’s clinically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). “An enlarged prostate means the gland has grown bigger. Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men…  read on >  read on >

Folks with life-threatening chronic illnesses can receive effective support over the telephone as they manage their condition day by day, a new clinical trial finds. Seriously ill veterans living with lung or heart disease experienced significant improvements in depression, anxiety and quality of life from a palliative care program delivered by phone, researchers found. “While…  read on >  read on >

People coming off antidepressants often struggle with emotional and social turmoil, especially if they quit their meds cold turkey, a new study reports. Challenges reported by patients quitting antidepressants included feeling overwhelmed by their emotions, finding social situations less enjoyable, and feeling detached and less empathetic towards others. “Some symptoms were so severe, family and…  read on >  read on >