Working in an already dangerous environment, the blood pressure of firefighters jumps when they get an emergency call, new research shows. That could be risky for those who already have high blood pressure, experts say. “All emergency and first responders should be aware of their health,” said senior author Deborah Feairheller, director of the clinical… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Do Your Kids Really Need Cough & Cold Meds?
When children have colds, parents may want to hold off on using cough and cold medicines, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests. Most children get better on their own, and cough or cold medicines won’t change the natural course of a cold or make it go away faster. Also, some cough and cold medicines… read on > read on >
It’s Time to Replace Your Smoke Alarm Batteries
Setting your clocks back an hour this Sunday also means it’s time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says. Working alarms are especially important because people are spending more time at home due to the pandemic, which means furnaces, fireplaces and other… read on > read on >
COVID Variant Tied to Heart Inflammation in Cats, Dogs
At a veterinary clinic in the United Kingdom, the staff noticed a sudden and atypical increase in cats and dogs who were experiencing myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. Was it a coincidence that these animals were showing up severely ill from a condition that has been linked to COVID-19 just as the highly… read on > read on >
Study Compares Bypass, Stenting for Patients With Severe Heart Disease
Bypass surgery is slightly better overall than stenting to open blocked arteries in people with severe coronary artery disease, new research shows. But decisions may still need to be made on a case-by-case basis: Stenting appeared more beneficial in some patients, particularly if they didn’t have complex disease. The findings should help guide decisions about… read on > read on >
AHA News: What Parents Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine For 5- to 11-Year-Olds
FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — A COVID-19 vaccine has finally arrived for children ages 5 to 11 – and with it, some important questions from parents. Many are wondering about safety, said Dr. Donna Curtis, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora. Others are asking whether the… read on > read on >
AHA News: Boston Nonprofit Helps Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness Launch Careers
FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — In March 2020, just as work was beginning on Breaktime Café – an ambitiously planned restaurant to train and employ young people experiencing homelessness in Boston – the pandemic brought construction to an abrupt halt. The disruption could have killed the dreams co-founders Connor Schoen and… read on > read on >
No ‘Fall Back’? Sleep Experts Argue Against Daylight Standard Time
Most folks groan when the time comes to either “spring forward” or “fall back” an hour, with the waxing and waning of daylight saving time. But that one-hour time shift — which occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday — is more than just a minor annoyance, sleep experts say. Research has shown that deliberately messing with… read on > read on >
For Kids Afraid of Needles, These Tips May Help Ease COVID Shots
Across the country, children ages 5 to 11 are lining up to get their first dose of Pfizer’s newly approved COVID-19 pediatric vaccine. Most kids fear needles, but a few simple steps can help your young one get their COVID-19 shots with the fewest tears shed, experts say. First, you need to get your own… read on > read on >
After Clocks ‘Fall Back’ This Weekend, Watch Out for Seasonal Mood Changes
As clocks are turned back an hour this weekend and it gets dark earlier, many people will begin grappling with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The disorder — also known as winter or seasonal depression — affects up to 5% of Americans, but rates are much higher in Northern U.S. states (10%) than in Southern states… read on > read on >