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Could 'Lazy Eye' in Childhood Raise Risks for Adult Disease?

Children with “lazy eye” are more likely to become adults facing an array of serious health problems, a new study warns.

Kids diagnosed with amblyopia are more likely to develop high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes as adults, researc...

Statin Meds & Cholesterol: What You Need to Know

Statins have become the miracle medicine of modern heart care, lowering cholesterol levels and and guarding against heart attacks in millions of Americans.

In fact, a running joke among doctors holds that statins are so helpful they should be put in the water supply.

However, they aren’t right for all patients, and some rare side effects can crop up with the meds, said

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 5, 2024
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  • Fast-Food Outlets, Bars Aren't Great Neighbors for Your Heart

    Living close to a pub, bar or fast-food restaurant doesn't do your heart any favors, a new study finds.

    Folks who live in close proximity to such establishments have a higher risk of heart failure, compared to those who live farther away, researchers report in the Feb. 27 issue of the journal Circulation: Heart Failure

    These findings weren't a complete surprise, said...

    Could Hair Loss Drug Finasteride Help Men's Hearts?

    The common hair-loss drug in Propecia and Proscar might lower men's risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels, a new study suggests.

    Finasteride is used to treat male pattern baldness, and it's also been shown effective in treating an enlarged prostate, researchers said in background notes.

    But men who use finasteride also have substantially lower cholesterol levels, acco...

    Most Americans Don't Know Their Lifesaving 'Heart Numbers': Survey

    Ohio resident Erica Hutson was in her 20s when she found out she had high cholesterol through a health check required by insurance.

    Because she was young and fit, Hutson shrugged off the test result.

    But Hutson changed her mind about it a decade later, when her father died of coronary artery disease in his 60s and she discovered it ran in her family.

    “His death really made m...

    Could Inhaling a Statin Help Ease Asthma, COPD?

    Drugs already used by millions to lower cholesterol might someday have a new role: Relieving asthma and COPD.

    That's the hope of a new line of research underway at the University of California, Davis.

    A study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health is seeking to determine whether a "statin inhaler" might reduce the airway inflammation that makes breathing difficult for folk...

    Statins Might Slow Progression of Alzheimer's Disease

    In preliminary findings, Swedish researchers say taking a cholesterol-lowering statin could also slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

    The study can't prove cause-and-effect, but might pave the way to a trial that could confirm such a link, said study author Sara Garcia-Ptacek, an associate professor of neuroscience at the Ka...

    Watching Your Cholesterol? Virtual Doctor Visits Work Just as Well

    In a win for telemedicine, new research shows that folks fighting high cholesterol benefit just as much from online coaching as they do from in-person visits with a dietitian.

    “This study reinforces the idea that comparable clinical outcomes can be achieved using the virtual format,” said lead researcher Dr. Shannon Zoule...

    Two New Studies Point to the Promise of Gene Therapy for High Cholesterol

    MONDAY, Nov. 13, 2023 (Healthday News) -- Two new gene-editing treatments that target dangerously high levels of cholesterol in people with a genetic predisposition to the condition were found safe and effective in new, groundbreaking research.

    While powerful drugs like statins can help manage cholesterol in most people, they can't treat those who have genes that predispose them to heart ...

    High Blood Triglycerides Could Help Ward Off Dementia

    High triglycerides, widely known as an enemy of the aging heart, may not be as threatening to older adults' brains, new research suggests.

    The study, of over 80,000 older adults, found those with triglycerides in the "high-normal" or moderately high range were less likely to develop dementia, versus their peers with lower triglyceride levels.

    Over six years, 3% of older folks with t...

    Hearts & Arteries: What Happens to Them As You Age

    As a consumer, you probably see "heart healthy" labels on food items all the time. But do you really know what heart health means and why it's important?

    Experts from Tufts University in Boston offer some details on how your heart works and how you can safeguard your heart's health.

    “It's not as if you turn 65 or 70 and everything falls apart,” said

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 17, 2023
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  • How HDL 'Good' Cholesterol Might Raise Dementia Risk

    While HDL cholesterol is considered the "good" kind for heart and brain health, too much or too little of it may up a person's risk of dementia, new research suggests.

    “This study is especially informative because of the large number of participants and long follow-up,” noted study author Maria Glymour, of Bo...

    FDA Will Begin to Regulate Thousands of Lab Tests

    Faced with growing reports of inaccurate clinical lab tests, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced that it will for the first time regulate these vital diagnostic tools.

    Many Americans might have assumed that the FDA already had oversight of all medical tests; it does not.

    However, FDA Commissioner

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 29, 2023
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  • Taking Statins After 'Bleeding' Stroke Could Help Prevent Another Stroke

    Taking cholesterol-lowering statin medication after a bleeding stroke, or intracerebral hemorrhage, may lower the risk of a subsequent stroke caused by a blood clot, according to new research.

    “Previous research has had mixed results on the risk of stroke in people who are taking statins and have already had a bleeding stroke, so we evaluated this further,” said study a...

    Statins' Effectiveness May Rise With Patient Age: Study

    Elderly adults who start on a statin may see an even bigger drop in their "bad" cholesterol levels than their younger counterparts do, a new study suggests.

    The study, of nearly 84,000 Danish patients, found that those age 75 and up typically showed a stronger response after starting a low- to moderate-dose statin: Compared with the typical 50-year-old, their LDL cholesterol dipped by a f...

    Keeping Cholesterol Levels Stable May Help Shield You From Dementia

    Could swings in your blood fat levels increase your chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease?

    Yes, suggests a new study that found fluctuating cholesterol levels among older adults may increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

    Those who had the most fluctuations in cholesterol had a 19% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's or dementia, and those with...

    Switching to Plant-Based Diet Helps Your Heart, Major Study Finds

    Vegetarian and vegan diets lead to lower blood levels of cholesterol and fats, according to a major new analysis of all evidence from clinical trials published since 1982.

    Compared to people eating an omnivorous diet, those following a plant-based diet experienced an average reduction in total cholesterol levels of 7% from levels measured at the start of the studies, a 10% reduction in �...

    Whether or Not You Get Heart-Healthy Statins May Depend on Race

    Millions of Americans take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, but a new study finds Black and Hispanic adults get the drugs less often than white people do.

    “This adds to the known racial and ethnic disparities already highly prevalent in heart disease,” said lead author Dr. Ambarish Pandey, an assistan...

    Statins Cut Heart Risks for Folks Living With HIV

    As people with HIV live longer they're at risk of premature heart disease. But a new study finds statin drugs can cut the risk of serious heart problems by more than one-third.

    The U.S. National Institutes of Health trial found the cholesterol-lowering drugs so effective, in fact, that the study was stopped early.

    Taking the daily statin pitavastatin calcium lowered the risk of majo...

    Weight Loss Helps Your Heart Even If Some Weight Come Back

    It can be downright discouraging to work hard to lose 10 pounds, only to regain a few later.

    But don't be downhearted -- a new evidence review says the important heart health benefits of weight loss are sustained even if some of the weight comes back.

    People who drop some pounds still have lower blood pressure and better cholesterol and blood sugar numbers even if they regain a litt...

    Young Americans Face Rising Rates of Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes

    Young adults in the United States carry an increasing burden of heart health risk factors, making it more likely they'll suffer a heart attack and stroke as they age, a new study warns.

    More adults ages 20 to 44 are obese and diabetic than a decade ago, and they are more likely to have poorly controlled blood pressure, according to the study published March 5 in the

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 6, 2023
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  • Bad Sleep Can Raise Heart Risks for Seniors

    Sticking to a consistent sleeping routine may help keep your arteries clear as you age, new research suggests.

    Conversely, older adults who slept for a varying number of hours each night and tended to fall asleep at different times were more likely to develop hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack or stroke, the researchers reported.

    "Sleep is super important to o...

    Many Young Americans Don't Realize Heart Attacks Can Hit Them Too: Poll

    Dave Conway had a heart attack in 2018. He was only 30.

    The Clintonville, Ohio, resident had been experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath, finally going to the emergency room with what he thought was pneumonia. Instead, he learned he'd had a “widowmaker” heart attack and a 100% blockage in a major artery.

    “I thought people who had heart attacks or heart disease were older...

    Heart Disease When Young Could Bring Memory Issues by Middle Age

    People who suffer a heart attack or stroke in middle age may develop memory and thinking problems earlier in life, too, a new study finds.

    The study, published online Jan. 25 in the journal Neurology, focused on people who had developed premature cardiovascular disease. That refers...

    Happy, Loved Teens Become Heart-Healthier as Adults

    When teenagers feel good about themselves and their lives, it may also do their hearts good in the long run, a new study suggests.

    Researchers found that teenagers who generally felt happy, optimistic and loved went on to show better cardiovascular health in their 20s and 30s, versus kids who lacked that level of mental well-being.

    Overall, they were more likely to maintain a healt...

    Statins May Lower Risk of Deadly 'Bleeding' Strokes

    Statins may do more than help your heart: New research shows the cholesterol-lowering drugs may also lower your risk for a bleeding stroke.

    An intracerebral hemorrhage, which involves bleeding in the brain, comprises about 15% to 30% of strokes, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. It is also the most deadly. With this type of stroke, arteries or veins rupture, ...

    HDL 'Good' Cholesterol's Role in Heart Health Under Scrutiny

    Blood levels of HDL, the famously "good" kind of cholesterol, may not make a big difference to heart health after all -- particularly for Black people, a large new study suggests.

    The study, of nearly 24,000 U.S. adults, found that low HDL levels were tied to a somewhat higher risk of heart attack among white people. That was not the case for Black adults, however.

    Meanwhile, high H...

    Deadly Form of High Cholesterol Can Catch Black Americans by Surprise

    Chad Gradney underwent quadruple bypass open-heart surgery at age 27, and afterward spent eight fruitless years battling extremely high cholesterol levels.

    Then in 2012 he found himself back in an emergency room, again suffering from chest pain.

    "That's when I found out three of the four bypasses basically had failed again," recalls Gradney, now 44 and living in Baton Rouge, La.

    ...

    Could One Type of Cheese Help Strengthen Your Bones?

    Enjoying just two slices of Jarlsberg cheese every day may help stave off osteoporosis, a small Norwegian study suggests.

    The protective effect of cheese on bone-thinning appears to be an exclusive benefit of Jarlsberg, and a mere 2 ounces a day seems to be enough to protect bone health, the inv...

    More Young Americans Are Dying of Heart Failure

    A growing number of younger American adults are dying of heart failure, with Black Americans being the hardest-hit, a new study finds.

    Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart muscle cannot pump blood as well as it should, leading to symptoms like fat...

    Most U.S. Kids Score Low on Heart Health

    Most U.S. children and adults have poor scores for heart health, according to a new assessment tool called "Life's Essential 8."

    Fewer than 30% of 2- to 19-year-olds had high scores for cardiovascular health on the new American Heart Association scoring tool. And their scores got lower with age. Just 14% of 12- to 19-year-olds had high scores, compared to 33% of 6- to 11-year-olds and 56%...

    Gout Medicine May Also Help Fight Heart Failure

    The anti-inflammatory benefits of a common gout medicine may help save the lives of heart failure patients, researchers say.

    The medication, colchicine, could also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients whose arteries are clogged with cholesterol, according to t...

    Gene Tests Could Spot 1 Million Americans at Risk of High Cholesterol

    A combination of genetic testing and health screenings could identify more than 1 million U.S. adults with an inherited risk for a cholesterol disorder that increases their risk for premature heart attack and death, according to a new study.

    About 1 in 250 Americans may have at least one gene for

  • By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
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  • May 18, 2022
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  • Will Coffee Raise Your Cholesterol?

    People who rely on coffee for a pick-me-up may also see a boost in their cholesterol levels - especially if they sip an unfiltered variety, a new study suggests.

    The researchers found that among more than 21,000 Norwegian adults, those who indulged in several cups of coffee a day generally had slight...

    Texting Your Way to Better Health After Heart Attack

    "Fill your plate up with colorful fruits and veggies for heart health."

    Such customized reminder texts may help folks who have had one heart attack avoid a second one, according to a new study out of Australia.

    "Texts provi...

    'Good' Cholesterol in Brain May Help Keep Alzheimer's at Bay

    Higher levels of "good" cholesterol in the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord may help protect you from Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests.

    "This study represents the first time that small HDL particles in the brain have been counted," said study co-author Dr. Hussein Yassine. He is an associate professor of medicine and neurology at the University of Southern California'...

    Blood Sugar, Cholesterol Issues in 30s Could Raise Alzheimer's Risk

    Your 30s can be a magical time filled with career strides, vacations you can actually afford, love, marriage and even a growing family of your own.

    It's likely not the decade where you begin to fret about your risk for developing Alzheimer's disease in the future. But maybe it should be.

    This is the main takeaway from new research based on data from the multi-generational

  • Denise Mann
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  • March 23, 2022
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  • Triglycerides a Stroke Danger, Even With Statin Treatment

    Stroke survivors may be watching their "bad" cholesterol, but a new study suggests another type of blood fat could put them at risk of a repeat stroke within the next year.

    Researchers found that stroke survivors with high triglycerides suffered repeat strokes at about twice the rate of survivor...

    Majority of Pregnant U.S. Women Were Already in Poor Health: Study

    Once they're pregnant, women have a lot of checkups to make sure they stay healthy. But a mom's health preconception is vitally important, too, and a growing cause for concern.

    Increasingly, moms in the United States are starting their pregnancies already having heart risks like high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and obesity.

    A new study finds that 60% -- even higher in so...

    Valentine's Chocolates May Do Your Heart Good - Really

    Giving dark chocolate to your sweetheart on Valentine's Day may be a win-win emotionally and physically, an expert suggests.

    But it's important to keep any potential health benefits in perspective, noted Lizzy Davis, an assistant professor of nutrition sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

    "What is healthy for one person may not be healthy for another," she said in a ...

    Apps Can Help Keep Older Folks Healthy - But Most Don't Use Them

    Mobile health apps can help older Americans but only about four in 10 use them, and those most likely to benefit are least likely to take advantage of them, a new survey reveals.

    Health apps monitor everything from calories and exercise to blood pressure and blood sugar to help users manage chronic conditions or achieve health goals.

    "Now that most older adults have at least one mob...

    Women Should Take These 3 Things to Heart

    February is American Heart Month - the perfect time to remind women of three things they need to know about heart disease.

    It's the leading cause of death among U.S. women, accounting for one in three deaths, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). While progress to reduce that rat...

    With Certain Oils Gone, Margarine May Now Be Healthier Than Butter

    Margarine has gotten a bad rap for years, but a U.S. ban on partially hydrogenated oils may have made it a healthier choice than butter, a new study suggests.

    Before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned such oils in 2018, margarine...

    Many Home Health Care Workers in Poor Health Themselves

    They take care of others, but many U.S. home health care workers say they're not in good shape themselves, a new study finds.

    Researchers analyzed self-reported data collected from nearly 3,000 home health care workers in 38 states between 2014 and 2018 and found that more than a quarter rated their general health as fair or poor, 1 in 5 reported poor mental health, and 14% reported poor ...

    Gene Found in Amish Helps Protect Their Hearts

    A rare gene variant discovered among Amish people may help lower "bad" cholesterol and protect against heart disease, a new study suggests.

    Researchers found that among nearly 7,000 Amish people, the gene variant was tied to reductions in both LDL cholesterol and fibrinogen -- a protein that is a marker of inflammation and linked to heart disease risk.

    There was also evidence of pro...

    A Little Wine & Certain Foods Could Help Keep Blood Pressure Healthy

    An apple and a pear a day may help keep blood pressure under control -- a benefit partly explained by gut bacteria, a new study suggests.

    Researchers found that adults who regularly ate certain foods -- apples, pears, berries and red wine -- tended to have lower blood pressure than their peers.

    One thing those foods have in common is a high content of antioxidant plant compounds cal...

    Diet Key to Better Health in People With Diabetes

    A diet rich in fresh veggies, fruit and fiber has meaningful benefits for people with diabetes, a new research review confirms.

    Doctors have long recommended this kind of "low-glycemic" eating regimen to help patients manage their diabetes and keep blood sugar levels steady. The new review of findings from 29 different trials lends support for that advice.

    "Although it was smal...

    Could a Type of Statin Raise Dementia Risks?

    Certain cholesterol-lowering drugs might speed dementia in some older adults whose memories are starting to fail, a small, preliminary study suggests.

    The researchers found that of 300 older adults with mildly impaired thinking and memory, those using "lipophilic" statins were more likely to develop dementia over the next eight years.

    Lipophilic statins include such widely used medi...

    Healthy Living in Middle Age Really Pays Off in Senior Years

    Live well, live longer.

    New research offers more evidence that the mantra rings true: People who got regular exercise and ate a healthy diet in middle age had a reduced risk of serious health problems as seniors.

    "Health care professionals could use these findings to further promote and emphasize to their patients the benefits of a healthy diet and a regular exercise schedule t...

    Combo 'Polypill' May Cut Heart Attack, Stroke Risk Up to 40%

    A single pill loaded with cholesterol and blood pressure medications can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke by as much as 40%, a new international study reports.

    The "polypill" containing three generic blood pressure medications and a statin dramatically reduced the risk of heart-related illness in people with no prior history of heart problems, according to clinical trial result...