People with HIV have an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, a new study warns, especially if the virus isn’t well-controlled. Sudden cardiac death occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops beating, usually due to an abrupt electrical malfunction. “People living with HIV are already known to have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, heart…  read on >  read on >

Adults with autism, intellectual disabilities or mental health disorders are at increased risk for COVID-19 and severe illness, researchers report. Being aware of the heightened risk is important in prioritizing COVID-19 prevention measures, such as vaccination, testing, masking and distancing for these groups, the researchers said. “These high-risk populations should be recognized by clinicians, and…  read on >  read on >

Early retirement may sound appealing, but a recent study hints that putting it off a few years might help older adults retain more of their mental sharpness. Using data on more than 20,000 older Americans, researchers estimated that if all of those people waited until age 67 to retire, their collective cognitive health would benefit.…  read on >  read on >

TUESDAY, Sept. 7, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Food cravings. Everybody gets them. Smelling brownies in the oven. Hearing a commercial for a salty chip. Seeing a favorite childhood candy bar at the checkout. They all can awaken memories that drive food cravings. But what if they also come from a sensory system that…  read on >  read on >

Nicotine-laden e-cigarettes raise a user’s risk of blood clots, damage small blood vessels and can also raise heart rate and blood pressure, a new study finds. The effects are similar to those caused by traditional cigarettes, and raise the concern that long-term vaping could help cause heart attacks or strokes, the Swedish research team warned.…  read on >  read on >

While some may think of scents like cinnamon or pumpkin spice when the season turns to fall, others are breathing in something much less pleasant. Autumn is also allergy season for those sensitive to ragweed. “A spike in ragweed tends to mark the informal start of the fall allergy season, which typically begins in mid-August,”…  read on >  read on >

If you have fallen arches, you know just how debilitating they can be. Now, doctors have some new guidance on which patients with this condition — also called flat feet — would benefit most from surgery. “Roughly half of patients will need surgery,” said Dr. Scott Ellis, a foot and ankle surgeon at the Hospital…  read on >  read on >

Implanted brain stimulation devices used to treat epilepsy won’t turn patients into someone they don’t recognize, a small study shows. “We found that the brain implants did not transform patients’ sense of self or personality. Neither the long-term implantation of the electronic device in their brain, nor the electrical stimulation to modulate their brain function,…  read on >  read on >