People who consume greater amounts of a popular artificial sweetener could face a greater risk of heart attack and stroke, a new study suggests. The research, which was presented at the ESC Cardiology Congress in Germany this week, showed that higher levels of xylitol in the blood were associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular … Read more
Could one treatment protect against some of the most feared consequences of aging? A vaccine that every adult over 50 should be getting to protect against a common virus may have another benefit: protecting the brain and heart from degeneration and deadly complications. One study from Brown University showed the shot lowered the risk of … Read more
Legendary actor Tim Curry, known for playing unforgettable oddballs like Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” died late Tuesday at his Los Angeles home at age 80 No foul play is suspected, law enforcement sources told TMZ, which broke the news Wednesday. Curry’s official cause of death has not been revealed. The Emmy … Read more
No beef with these results. One of the leading causes of death worldwide, cardiovascular disease affects your heart and blood vessels, and the risk increases with factors like cholesterol and diet — including hamburgers, a summer staple. The next time you’re at a barbecue, though, feel free to add a patty or two to your … Read more
A four-year-old was hospitalized for two months after suffering a stroke — which was likely triggered by a common childhood illness she’d picked up months before. Olivia Elliot, now 5, woke up vomiting and complaining of a headache in June 2025 but her mother, Rebecca, 31, initially thought she had just picked up a bug. … Read more
Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers, is under federal investigation. The federal probe is examining whether the empire of the billionaire and chief executive of Guggenheim Partners was involved in fraud from private-credit deals. An employee of Walter’s reportedly raised red flags over suspicious revenue booking. Mark Walter suffered a stroke … Read more
Theater review BROAD STROKES One hour and 10 minutes with no intermission. Through Sept. 25 at the Lucille Lortel Theater. At first mention, a young person suffering a stroke does not scream “comedy gold mine.” A sleepless night of doom scrolling, perhaps. A bombardment of nervous texts to a doctor friend, maybe. But, as I … Read more
Pour another cup? Science says yes. From reshaping gut bacteria to keeping you young, your morning cup of joe provides a lot when it comes to health. And good news for java junkies: There can even be benefits for the heart — but only if you drink the right amount. A cup of coffee can … Read more
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