STI we nearly eradicated in the ‘90s has surged in recent years — and it’s raising heart attack risk

STI we nearly eradicated in the ‘90s has surged in recent years — and it’s raising heart attack risk

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that almost disappeared is back — with a vengeance. The medieval STI can silently but significantly increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and dangerous swelling of the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel, a large new study found. Once nearly eradicated in the 1990s thanks to safer sexual practices, … Read more

Blockbuster drug can lower your risk of heart attack by 13%

Blockbuster drug can lower your risk of heart attack by 13%

Medical innovation has really give people a shot at better heart health. About 805,000 people in the US have heart attacks every year, with one occurring every 40 seconds — and an alarming increase in those under 45. But new blockbuster medications that have taken the health world by storm could offer protection from adverse … Read more

4 health issues more likely to kill you in the morning

4 health issues more likely to kill you in the morning

Waking up on the wrong side of the bed is the least of your worries. While major cardiovascular events can occur at any time of day and often at unexpected times, scientists are aware of some potential patterns, thanks to the body’s circadian rhythm or internal biological clock. In the morning, the body prepares itself … Read more

The 20-minute habit that may be the secret to a healthier heart, sharper brain — and longer life

The 20-minute habit that may be the secret to a healthier heart, sharper brain — and longer life

Walk this way to a longer and healthier life. For years, 10,000 steps has been the magical number promoted by fitness trackers and health apps for daily activity. You may need even less than that — a mere 20 minutes a day could bring positive health effects and more. Walking has plenty of health benefits, … Read more

You’re 9 simple steps away from a heart-healthy diet that will help you live longer

You’re 9 simple steps away from a heart-healthy diet that will help you live longer

Fewer steps to a healthier heart than many skincare routines. The American Heart Association (AHA) recently updated the dietary guidelines for heart-healthy eating patterns at a time when cardiovascular deaths are on the rise. And the new features don’t just focus on what foods to consume, but place firmer emphasis on what should be avoided, … Read more

4 easy things that are surprisingly good for your heart, according to a cardiologist

4 easy things that are surprisingly good for your heart, according to a cardiologist

When it comes to heart health, you don’t want to skip a beat. The leading cause of death for adults in the US, heart disease claims a life every 34 seconds and strains the healthcare system to the tune of $168 billion, according to the CDC. Aside from the obvious lifestyle interventions like getting more … Read more

Exclusive | Tragic caffeine death of college student, 21, fuels parents’ battle for energy drink reform

Exclusive | Tragic caffeine death of college student, 21, fuels parents’ battle for energy drink reform

Sarah Katz wanted to ride a roller coaster.  In a high school essay she once recalled a time in second grade, when her mom took her to the Six Flags in her native New Jersey. She wrote about how desperately she’d wanted to ride “the biggest and scariest” coaster in the park, how she wanted … Read more

What is cauda equina syndrome? Nicholas Brendon’s nerve condition — as Buffy star dies at 54

What is cauda equina syndrome? Nicholas Brendon’s nerve condition — as Buffy star dies at 54

Nicholas Brendon was open with fans about his health before his untimely death at 54. The actor, best known for playing the lovable and wisecracking Xander Harris on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” died in his sleep from “natural causes,” his family revealed in an Instagram post Friday. “We are heartbroken to share the passing of … Read more

How much every serving of ultraprocessed food raises your heart attack and stroke risk

How much every serving of ultraprocessed food raises your heart attack and stroke risk

Ultra-processed and uber-risky. Cardiology researchers published new findings Tuesday linking junk foods to cardiovascular distress, falling in line with the Department of Health and Human Services’ new dietary guidelines urging Americans to steer clear of foods like chips and candy. Diets made up mostly of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) were found to increase a person’s risk … Read more

The devastating condition that looks like a heart attack — and 90% of patients have a single trait in common

The devastating condition that looks like a heart attack — and 90% of patients have a single trait in common

Most people know what a heart attack is — someone in the US has one about every 40 seconds. But there’s a lesser-known condition that can look nearly identical and sounds like it belongs in a romantic drama: broken heart syndrome, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It’s a temporary condition most often triggered by intense … Read more

Heart disease threat projected to skyrocket in women

Heart disease threat projected to skyrocket in women

A new report by the American Heart Association (AHA) included some troubling predictions for the future of women’s health. The forecast, published in the journal Circulation on Wednesday, projected increases in various comorbidities in American females by 2050. More than 59% of women were predicted to have high blood pressure, up from less than 49% currently. The … Read more

3 common heart health myths a cardiologist wishes you’d stop believing

3 common heart health myths a cardiologist wishes you’d stop believing

When it comes to matters of the heart, there’s more to consider than hitting your weekly cardio goals at the gym. With new technologies like smart beds that register abnormal rhythms and T-shirts designed to alert wearers to underlying heart conditions, patients have more tools to measure and track their heart health than ever before. … Read more

Think you know CPR from TV? You’re doing it wrong

Think you know CPR from TV? You’re doing it wrong

You may want to double-check your CPR skills. While it’s probably common knowledge not to take medical information from television, a majority of shows keep getting this important emergency technique wrong, according to a new study. And what’s worse, the difference between doing it correctly or incorrectly could literally mean life or death. One study … Read more

The ‘silent killer’ you’ve probably never heard of — about 85% of people with it are undiagnosed

The ‘silent killer’ you’ve probably never heard of — about 85% of people with it are undiagnosed

When it comes to heart health, heart attacks tend to get the spotlight. While 805,000 people die from heart attacks every year in the US, there’s a lifelong genetic disorder that could be lurking in the background, going completely undiagnosed. It’s even been dubbed a “silent killer,” taking the lives of young people who appear … Read more

What happens if you take too much aspirin? Trump says ‘higher dose’ is responsible for hand bruising

What happens if you take too much aspirin? Trump says ‘higher dose’ is responsible for hand bruising

President Donald Trump admitted in an interview on Thursday that he takes a higher dose of aspirin than what is recommended by his doctors — and said the medication it to blame for bruising often seen on his hands. “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood … Read more

Is this the ‘thermometer of the future’? It can do more than just check your temperature

Is this the ‘thermometer of the future’? It can do more than just check your temperature

The future of health tracking is here, and it’s fast. A new FDA-approved thermometer doesn’t just check your temperature, but also monitors other key health metrics, some of which would normally require a visit to a doctor’s office. And it can take each of these measurements in a matter of seconds. The BeamO thermometer can … Read more

Is there a best blood type? The ups and downs of A, B, AB and O — including who’s at higher risk for cancer, norovirus and bug bites

Is there a best blood type? The ups and downs of A, B, AB and O — including who’s at higher risk for cancer, norovirus and bug bites

Most people don’t spare a thought for their blood type unless they’re in need of a transfusion — but could yours hold secrets to your health? And is one better than the others? There are four main blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Seventyfour – stock.adobe.com The short answer: No, there is no “best” … Read more

‘Shoveling effect’ is the simple winter complication that could kill you

‘Shoveling effect’ is the simple winter complication that could kill you

The weather outside is frightful — and so are certain snow-related activities. Many of us enjoy waking up to a fresh blanket of snow, at least until we have to bust out the shovels to get out of our homes. But while clearing sidewalks and driveways is an essential part of the season, a winter … Read more

FDA panel recommends testosterone therapy be more accessible to men, knocks ‘outdated’ restrictions

FDA panel recommends testosterone therapy be more accessible to men, knocks ‘outdated’ restrictions

This is T-rrific news for some men. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has been historically difficult to get because it requires proof of consistently low testosterone levels along with symptoms like fatigue, low libido or erectile dysfunction that’s not just from aging. Now, a US Food and Drug Administration panel is recommending loosening testosterone restrictions by declassifying these … Read more

Daily pill slashes ‘bad’ cholesterol levels by 60%

Daily pill slashes ‘bad’ cholesterol levels by 60%

A new daily pill could reduce bad cholesterol levels by 60%, according to a new study. Enlicitide, which was developed by Merck, lowered “bad” LDL cholesterol by more than half in a global study published this week in JAMA, the journal of the American Medical Association. The trial, led by Dr. Christie M. Ballantyne of the Texas … Read more