Getting heart failure patients into cardiac rehabilitation sooner rather than later after a hospitalization is tied to a better prognosis, new research shows. “Typically, cardiac rehabilitation programs require patients to be stable for six weeks after a hospitalization,” explained cardiologist Dr. Benjamin Hirsh, who wasn’t connected to the new research. “This study challenges this rule…  read on >  read on >

A simple surgery may help lower the risk for strokes by more than a third in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common irregular heartbeat, a new trial finds. The reduction in stroke risk is achieved by blocking the left atrial appendage, an unused, finger-like tissue that traps blood in the upper chamber of the heart…  read on >  read on >

In new evidence that illustrates that health issues rarely exist in a vacuum, a new study finds a link between heart health and brain function. Existing evidence suggests that having heart disease raises one’s risk of dementia, and vice versa, but a team of researchers based in London wanted to find out if this connection…  read on >  read on >

Just as some elderly drivers need to give up their car keys, older gun owners may eventually face “firearm retirement.” And a preliminary study suggests they are open to the idea. In focus-group interviews with older gun owners, researchers found that many had considered putting limits on their firearm access — though they usually hadn’t…  read on >  read on >

Early screening for autism can speed up diagnosis and treatment, and now new research shows that pediatricians are more likely to act when parents express concerns. According to pediatricians surveyed in the study, only 39% of toddlers who had failed a screening looking for autism signs were then referred to additional expert evaluation. “The lack…  read on >  read on >