A teen put her headaches down to dehydration during a heatwave, but they were a sign of a ruptured tumor. Danielle Andersen, 17, had the pain for five days before she went to the A&E department in July 2025. A consultant noticed something unusual in her eye tracking, and a CT scan revealed a slow-growing … Read more
Drink up for better health. What we eat plays a clear role in lowering cholesterol, with nutrient-rich foods like oatmeal, brown rice, high-fiber vegetables, fatty fish and seeds helping out. Beverages help too, as one drink that’s been around for centuries — and is still popular today — not only lowers bad cholesterol, but can … Read more
The latest COVID-19 vaccine (2024-2025) has been linked to fewer serious heart-related events among US veterans. New research confirmed a small reduction in COVID-related cardiovascular events, or COVID-19-associated MACE, due to the vaccine. MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) is a composite measure of serious heart-related outcomes. It typically includes cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke, and may also include … Read more
You should be all ears about this stealthy sign of heart health. The leading cause of death in the US, the American Heart Association (AHA) warns that 61% of American adults will likely develop some type of cardiovascular disease. And while there are some clear signs that your heart is weak, others aren’t as well-known, … Read more
Time to start logging more minutes on the treadmill — think marathon distances. New research out Tuesday reimagines the rules for how much we should be exercising each week for heart health benefits, and it’s a lot more than we were previously told. Guidelines from the CDC and other health agencies recommend adults get at … Read more
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
Life in plastic isn’t so fantastic. While there’s debate over how much is actually in our systems, microplastics are all the rage right now — and not in a good way for our health. A new study may have found the culprit behind the accumulation in our brains, and it’s much more common than we … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My brothers and I loved our father. He was an alcoholic until he was 37. After he stopped drinking, we became the best of friends. He was both mother and father to me, and I was so proud of him. Dad remarried 33 years later to a woman I can only describe as … Read more
A fit and healthy woman has told how her “back ache” turned out to be a rare spinal stroke which left her paralyzed from the chest down. Lucy Dunford was 19 years old when she first started suffering from “stabbing pains” between her shoulder blades in December 2024 — which she had brushed off as … Read more
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
It’s like salt in a wound. Global warming has been blamed for stronger and more frequent storms, droughts, floods and rare disease outbreaks. Now, it might be fueling kitchen table health crises, too. Researchers are concerned that rising sea levels are contaminating fresh drinking water with seawater — and that the extra salt could have the … Read more
After a minor stroke, there are several risk factors that can predict another event, according to new research. A study published in the journal Circulation by the American Heart Association investigated what happens after someone has a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a “mini-stroke.” This was a follow-up to the previous PERSIST study, which … Read more
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
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
It’s known as a “mini” stroke — but a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is no small thing. Though it typically lasts only a few minutes, this temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain can be an early sign that a full-blown, potentially disabling stroke is on the horizon. “A TIA can be a blessing … Read more
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
It’s utterly simple. Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the US, with heightened risk for low-income and marginalized groups. Outside of genetics, reducing these numbers comes down to improving blood pressure, increasing physical activity and making dietary changes. And a single dietary change can make a surprisingly big difference, according … Read more
It might be time to rethink that little pill in your medicine cabinet. A new study casts doubt on the idea that regularly taking an over-the-counter painkiller can help ward off colorectal cancer — at least for the general population. Worse, researchers warn that the daily habit carries “immediate risks,” including a higher chance of … Read more
Heart disease and stroke deaths are falling in the US — but there’s a quiet health threat that’s spreading fast and putting millions at risk. In fact, the problem has grown so widespread that the condition landed its own chapter in the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, released Wednesday. The … Read more
Many might assume that over-the-counter (OTC) medications are generally safer than stronger prescription drugs, but research shows they can still present risks for some. Certain common OTC painkillers have been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks. Potential risk of NSAIDs Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — which are used to … Read more