Author: Jane Farrell

Statins and Side Effects

Among patients who stopped taking their cholesterol-lowering statin medication due to side effects, researchers found the statin may not have been the culprit: Patients taking a placebo reported the same side effects, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2020. Statins lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Some people, however, experience side effects… Continue reading Statins and Side Effects

Protecting Your Heart from The Heat

With many areas of the country facing triple digit temperatures and summer heat and humidity elsewhere, experts from the American Heart Association (AHA), are urging people to take extra steps to protect their hearts. Precautions are especially important for older adults and individuals with high blood pressure, obesity or a history of heart disease and… Continue reading Protecting Your Heart from The Heat

The Right Diet for Migraine Sufferers?

A diet higher in fatty fish helped frequent migraine sufferers reduce their monthly number of headaches and intensity of pain compared to participants on a diet higher in vegetable-based fats and oils, according to a new study. The findings by a team of researchers from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute… Continue reading The Right Diet for Migraine Sufferers?

Many People Unaware of Skin Cancer Risk

Throughout this summer, many Americans will increasingly head to the beach or water parks to cool down, but will they turn up their efforts to protect their skin from the sun? A new American Academy of Dermatology survey shows that despite skin cancer being the most common cancer in the U.S., only about one-third of… Continue reading Many People Unaware of Skin Cancer Risk

Food Safety in Emergencies

Hurricanes and other severe storms are dangerous and destructive – destroying homes and compromising communities. Floods and power outages from hurricanes, tornadoes and blizzardcut off water supplies and quickly contaminate food. Protect yourself, your family, and your pets from foodborne illnesses. Following are steps, recommended by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that you… Continue reading Food Safety in Emergencies

Blood-Pressure Meds and Memory

Older adults taking blood pressure-lowering medications known to cross the blood-brain barrier had better memory recall over time compared to those taking other types of medicines to treat high blood pressure, according to new research published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a risk factor for cognitive decline… Continue reading Blood-Pressure Meds and Memory

Pre-Recorded Messages Can Help Heart Patients

Patients hospitalized with heart failure can reduce their odds of requiring re-hospitalization, a heart transplant or death by repeatedly reviewing recorded audio messages about self-care at home, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2020; “My Recorded On-Demand Audio Discharge Instructions (MyROAD®)” is a re-playable audio card containing information for patients… Continue reading Pre-Recorded Messages Can Help Heart Patients

Pets and Medication Errors

Your dog or cat is sick, and you head to the animal hospital. The veterinarian prescribes medications that you hope will make your pet better. But with pets, as with people, medication errors can happen. Just as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors medication errors that affect people, the agency watches out for mistakes… Continue reading Pets and Medication Errors

Heart Condition Symptoms and COVID-19

Researchers have released findings from a small study detailing the treatment of myocarditis-like symptoms in seven people after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. The cases from that research, published today in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation, are among those reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine Adverse Event… Continue reading Heart Condition Symptoms and COVID-19

Skin Cancer: More Dangerous than You Think

With the first day of summer right around the corner, many Americans will increasingly head to the beach or water parks to cool down, but will they turn up their efforts to protect their skin from the sun? A new survey from the American Academy of Dermatology  (AAD) shows that despite skin cancer being the… Continue reading Skin Cancer: More Dangerous than You Think

Using Flea and Tick Products Safely on Your Pet

Flea bites may be more than an itchy annoyance to some dogs and cats. They can cause flea allergy dermatitis — an allergic reaction to proteins in flea saliva. And a pet’s constant scratching can lead to permanent hair loss or other skin problems. In severe infestations, fleas feasting on your pet’s blood can lead… Continue reading Using Flea and Tick Products Safely on Your Pet

Pain Rising Among Some Younger Americans

Younger Americans with less than a bachelor’s degree reported higher levels of pain than today’s older adults did at their age. Continued increases in pain as generations age may challenge a healthcare system already struggling to treat chronic pain. The study examined trends in pain, both nationwide and internationally, across adults of different ages. Pain… Continue reading Pain Rising Among Some Younger Americans

Smoking Continues Despite Knowledge of Risks

Many adults with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) continue to smoke cigarettes and/or use other tobacco products, despite knowing it increases their risk of having another cardiovascular event, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access journal of the American Heart Association (AHA). To understand how… Continue reading Smoking Continues Despite Knowledge of Risks

What You Should Know about Floaters

Every once in a while – and sometimes more frequently – small dark shapes may float across your vision. They can look like spots, threads, squiggly lines, or even little cobwebs. Most people have these “floaters” that come and go, and they often don’t need treatment. But sometimes floaters can be a sign of a… Continue reading What You Should Know about Floaters

Scientists Researching Super Vaccine

Scientists have begun to assess  the safety and efficacy of a vaccine designed to provide long-lasting protection against an array of flu viruses, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In the trial,  begun at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, healthy participants 18 to 50 years old will receive either a licensed… Continue reading Scientists Researching Super Vaccine

LatinX Workers Face Job Health Risks

Hispanic/Latinx adults who are exposed to smoke from burning wood, vehicle exhaust, pesticides or metals at workplaces are more likely to have abnormalities of the heart structure and function that could lead to cardiovascular disease, according to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access journal of the American Heart… Continue reading LatinX Workers Face Job Health Risks

Healthy Habits Can Reduce Dementia Risk Despite Genetic Factor

Adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors can lower dementia risk among people who are at higher risk due to a family history of dementia, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference 2021. Familial dementia is a strong risk factor for dementia. Having a first-degree relative such as… Continue reading Healthy Habits Can Reduce Dementia Risk Despite Genetic Factor