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Heart-pounding episodes led woman to discover an electrical problem
Patricia Atiee woke up one night with her heart beating so rapidly that it terrified her. She was afraid to move and unsure what to think. The episode stopped after about a minute, but she was barely able to fall back asleep. A week later, Atiee – then 24 –...
Día de los Muertos celebrates the life of the deceased while easing the grief of the living
When his father died about two decades ago, Dr. Mathew Sandoval built a colorful altar in his honor and decorated it with flowers, candles and personal items. The altar, part of the ancient Día de los Muertos tradition, helped the then-21-year-old cope with grief. "Essentially, it gave me tools...
Why sugar matters – and how to cut back if you're eating too much of it
A summary of sugar's health effects can sound like the tagline for a Hollywood thriller: "It's sweet and alluring. It's a master of disguise. And tonight – it's hiding in your refrigerator." OK, maybe not a successful thriller. But like a double agent, sugar can be both beneficial and...
Cardiovascular deaths caused by extreme heat in U.S. could potentially triple by midcentury
The number of cardiovascular deaths from extreme heat could more than double in the United States – and possibly triple – by the middle of the century if more isn't done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, new research suggests. Older adults and non-Hispanic...
First responders who keep us safe need to care for themselves, too
Whether fighting fires, handling medical emergencies or ensuring public safety, first responders spend days and nights looking out for everyone. How should they look out for themselves, and how can the public help?. "We all know the importance of cardiovascular health," said Dr. Denise Smith, a professor of health and...
Avid runner was having a heart attack – and then his heart stopped
After a busy day at his law office, Stuart Katz sat down for dinner with his wife at their home in Woodbridge, Connecticut. He ate salad and a turkey burger. Well, two to be exact. Later, while watching TV, he began to question that second helping when he felt what he thought was indigestion.
For people aging alone, experts say plan ahead for long-term care
Eduardo Galvan works out six days a week for at least an hour. He eats a healthy diet. And he's considering someday moving from his two-story condo in Ann Arbor, Michigan, into a one-floor living space, because while he has good health today at 59, one thing he doesn't have is someone to care for him should he lose it.
Ever heard of the portfolio diet? It may lower risk for heart disease and stroke
A lesser-known dietary pattern called the portfolio diet may lower the risk for heart disease and stroke, new research shows. The portfolio diet is designed to lower "bad" LDL cholesterol, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It includes a select "portfolio" of plant-based proteins such as soy and other legumes; foods with viscous fiber such as oats, barley, berries, apples and citrus fruit; nuts and seeds; phytosterols that reduce cholesterol absorption through fortified foods or supplements; and avocado and healthy plant-based oils high in monounsaturated fat.
Heart failure, then a transplant – for both dad and college-athlete son
When Ryan Scoble was a junior lacrosse player at Mercyhurst University, he came home to Cincinnati for winter break eager to see his father. Ryan's dad, Steve, had dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened, then enlarged. Steve had surgery to implant a machine called a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD; it essentially does the work of the left side of the heart. He was waiting for a heart transplant. And he was recovering from a stroke.
Feel dizzy when you stand up? It's a drop in blood pressure and may be an early sign of dementia
When some people stand up from sitting or lying down, they may feel dizzy or even faint because of a sudden drop in blood pressure. That phenomenon, which becomes more common in older adults, is called orthostatic hypotension. Previous research has suggested a link between orthostatic hypotension, or OH, and...
Her toddler never walked or spoke after her heart stopped. That doesn't mean CPR was 'unsuccessful.'
For almost 19 years, whenever Tiffany Vara described the worst day of her life, she always included a particular word: unsuccessful. As in, when her 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Abbie, was pulled from the bottom of the family's swimming pool, the 10 minutes of CPR that Tiffany performed was unsuccessful. The...
High blood pressure isn't only a risk during pregnancy
After enduring a difficult pregnancy marred with severe bouts of nausea and vomiting, Christina Roberto recalls the overwhelming sense of relief she felt two years ago when she finally brought her newborn daughter, Charlotte, safely home from the hospital. "It was a really stressful pregnancy," she said. "So there was...
Pirouettes and palpitations: Ballet dancer's irregular heartbeat went undiagnosed for years
Even as a teenager, Edson Barbosa could sometimes feel his heart beating extremely fast during rehearsals. It didn't seem normal. But as a competitive ballet dancer in Rio de Janeiro, he wasn't sure what normal felt like. It's probably because I just did 17 pirouettes, he told himself. The palpitations...
COVID-19 may be worse for those with uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes
People who have uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes before getting COVID-19 may be at higher risk of hospitalization or being placed on a ventilator, according to new research that also shows an increased risk of death if diabetes isn't kept in check. The study of nearly 1.5 million adults...
For LGBTQ people, friendly health care is important but can be hard to find
When Lindsey Huie arrived at the hospital that day in 2019, she had already hit peak stress. The inside of her chest felt ripped apart. She was thinking about her four kids and who would care for them if her wife had to come help her. But then, one of...
After a stroke at 34, she's devoted herself to recovering
After a morning of working at home, Amanda Porter of Tulsa, Oklahoma, started getting ready to go to the supermarket. It was March 20, 2020, and the world was shutting down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She needed to stock up on food and supplies. She went into the bedroom...
Papaya's milky texture packed with nutrients
The fall harvests usher in loads of pumpkins into grocery stores. But a smooth-skinned tropical fruit also vies for a consumer's attention: papaya. The orange and green fruit is originally from Central America and southern Mexico, but papaya now grows in several tropical and subtropical countries, such as Brazil, the Philippines and Malaysia. In the United States, papayas are grown in Hawaii and Florida. Harvests can peak in early summer or in the fall.
Rocker's wife performed CPR with the help of 911 dispatcher
Heavy metal bass guitarist Sal Italiano spent the day at the casino with his wife, Christine, and her 93-year-old aunt, then they all grabbed a bite to eat on the way back to the couple's home in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Sal watched TV in one room, while Christine watched in...
'What did the doctor say?' Boosting health literacy falls on more than just the patient
The responsibility of understanding what a health care professional is saying during a visit to the doctor's office falls on more than just the patient. That obligation to ensure individuals can access and comprehend basic health information in order to make health-related decisions is shared by the doctor, nurse, health insurance provider and even public health officials – perhaps even more so than the patient, said Dr. Michael Paasche-Orlow, a primary care physician and vice chair for research at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.
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Heart and Stroke News: Stories about people, science and health, from American Heart Association News.
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