Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure — and that alone more than doubles their odds of being hospitalized if they are infected with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, a new study revealed. This was true even in people who were fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, according to researchers at the…  read on >  read on >

While depression is common after a stroke, most stroke patients who need mental health care aren’t getting the help they need, new research reveals. Roughly one in three stroke victims have depression. But about two-thirds of those received no mental health treatment. Patients who were older, men, Black people or Hispanic folks were even less…  read on >  read on >

When weather gets hot and people start jumping into a pool, lake or ocean, cases of swimmer’s ear are likely to climb, but one expert says there are steps you can take to avoid the painful condition. The best prevention is a simple one: avoid getting water in your ears, said Dr. Hongzhao Ji, an…  read on >  read on >

FRIDAY, July 22, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — Scott Kern didn’t have much time to exercise. An executive at a chain of discount stores, he got to work early to get a head start on what often was a 12-hour workday. His incentive was getting home early enough to see his young daughter, Katie,…  read on >  read on >

It may sound bananas, but new research shows eating this potassium-rich food can improve heart health. Avocados and salmon also are high in potassium, helping counteract the negative effects of salt in the diet and lowering blood pressure, researchers said. Other potassium-rich foods include a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, dairy products and fish.…  read on >  read on >

As blistering temperatures blanket much of the country, more people are at risk heat exhaustion and potentially fatal heat strokes. One expert offers tips on how to avoid the dangerous effects of record-breaking temperatures. While anyone can develop heat-related illness from prolonged exposure to excessive heat and/or high humidity, including athletes or those whose job…  read on >  read on >

Better lighting and other changes to street crossings could improve pedestrian safety for seniors — the age group most likely to be killed by oncoming vehicles. Researchers pored over four years of Oregon crash data for locations considered dangerous for walkers age 65 and older. They called for changes to improve visibility and illumination, to…  read on >  read on >

The Biden administration announced Thursday that it will create a new division in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) focused solely on coordinating responses to pandemic threats and other health emergencies. The office of the existing Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will become its own operating division called the Administration…  read on >  read on >