In yet another example of the mind-body connection, people with depression symptoms may face an increased risk of having a stroke, as well as a worse recovery afterwards. A new international study, published online March 8 in the journal Neurology, found about 18% of those who had a stroke had symptoms of depression, compared to…  read on >  read on >

Acetaminophen, a popular over-the-counter medication for millions struggling with pain and fever, can also be found in prescription painkillers that combine acetaminophen and an opioid into one pill. The problem? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has long known that high dosages of acetaminophen (Tylenol) can harm the liver. So, in 2011 the FDA set…  read on >  read on >

A quicker, safer option for treating an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation might be just months away. Atrial fibrillation is currently treated with drugs or a procedure known as thermal ablation. Thermal ablation uses extreme temperatures to disable areas of the heart causing the abnormal heart rhythm. The new system — called pulsed field ablation…  read on >  read on >

When people struggle to fall asleep, it’s no surprise they seek solutions. Options can range from prescription medications to sleep therapy, good habits and an abundance of supplements. Taking magnesium for sleep is something some say has real benefits, but does it really? It’s not entirely certain, but the mineral serves a variety of other…  read on >  read on >

WEDNESDAY, March 8, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Blood pressure measurements taken in a medical office can vary widely between visits, new research finds, offering further support for guidelines that call for supplemental home monitoring. “These large variations in blood pressure measurements pose a great challenge to determine whether hypertension treatment is actually working,”…  read on >  read on >

Women are more likely than men to die after coronary artery bypass surgery, according to a large new study. Researchers still don’t understand why women have these poorer outcomes. “This should be a ‘wake-up call’ for cardiothoracic surgeons — women still have a higher risk of adverse outcomes following coronary artery bypass surgery, and there…  read on >  read on >