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Heart Risk Factors Show Up Earlier in U.S. Black Women

Young Black American women have high rates of lifestyle-related risk factors for heart disease, a new study indicates.

The findings show the need to help them adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits, as well as make it easier for them to access health care, the researchers said.

"Young people should be the healthiest membe...

Race, Neighborhood Affects How Long You'll Live After Heart Attack

THURSDAY, May 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of dying within five years of a heart attack is notably higher among poor Americans than their wealthier peers, but race also plays a role, a new study reveals.

While Black residents of poor neighborhoods appear to face a higher risk of death than their counterparts in w...

Eat Smart: Mediterranean Diet Could Ward Off Dementia

THURSDAY, May 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, olive oil and fish -- the so-called Mediterranean diet -- may protect the brain from plaque buildup and shrinkage, a new study suggests.

Researchers in Germany looked at the link between diet and the proteins amyloid and tau, which are a hallmar...

When Drug Companies Raise Prices, Patients' Out-of-Pocket Costs Rise

THURSDAY, May 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- When prescription drug "list" prices go up, patients often take a hit in the wallet, a new study shows.

Researchers found that while some people are buffered against drug price hikes by their health insurance plan, many are not.

Those in plans that require co-insurance or a...

1 in 4 Heart Attacks Arrive With 'Atypical' Symptoms

A quarter of heart attack patients have atypical symptoms and are less likely to receive emergency care, Danish research reveals.

These patients are also more likely to die within 30 days than those with chest pain.

Atypical heart attack symptoms include breathing problems, extreme exhaustion and abdominal pain.

"Atypical sympt...

Obesity More Deadly for Men Than Women When COVID Strikes

It's long been known that obesity is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 in infected people. But new research suggests that the connection may be even stronger for men than women.

Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City analyzed data from more than 3,500 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital between early March and Ma...

AHA News: Prenatal Stress Can Program a Child's Brain for Later Health Issues

Soaring blood pressure. A racing heartbeat. Trouble sleeping. Excessive worrying. Difficulty concentrating. These are warning signs of out-of-control stress and anxiety, and their roots could begin long before you might think.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in the United States, affecting nearly 1 in 5 adults, or...

Biden Administration to Back Lifting of COVID Vaccine Patents

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it will support a controversial proposal to waive patent protections for coronavirus vaccines, while the drug industry warned such a move would actually dampen the development of vaccines.

The United States had been a holdout at the World Trade Organization over the proposal, which ...

Real-World Studies Show Pfizer Vaccine Shields Against COVID Variants

In two real-world studies, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine appears to be standing up well against the challenges posed by more contagious coronavirus variants from Britain and South Africa.

The Pfizer mRNA vaccine showed about 90% documented effectiveness in protecting against infection with the British B.1.1.7 variant and 75% effectiveness agai...

When Black Americans Encounter Police Violence, High Anxiety Often Follows

A new survey confirms what many young Black Americans already know: They are vulnerable to anxiety disorders, particularly during contact with the police or in anticipation of police contact.

"I think it's important, given what's going on in society," said survey author Robert Motley, Race and Opportunity Lab Manager at Washington Universi...

Drug Saxenda Aids Weight Loss — But You Should Exercise, Too

THURSDAY, May 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- The weight-loss drug Saxenda can keep extra pounds off — but combining it with exercise brings a bigger payoff, a new clinical trial finds.

The study found that some longstanding advice is valid: Prescription weight-loss drugs work best when used along with — and not in place...

Israel Study: Pfizer Vaccine Gives 95% Protection Against Illness, Hospitalization & Death

Two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine provide a high level of protection for populations, a new study shows.

The findings from Israel — the first nation to report national data on the vaccine — show that two doses provide more than 95% protection for people 16 and older against COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death....

Better Access to Birth Control Boosts School Graduation Rates

Access to free or low-cost birth control may be an important factor in improving young women's futures, according to new research from Colorado.

When access to affordable birth control increased, the percentage of young women leaving high school before graduation dropped by double digits, while the rates of pregnancies and abortions also d...

What Was Antarctic Explorer Ernest Shackleton's Mystery Illness?

Famed Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton may have suffered from a deficiency of the nutrient thiamine, a condition known as beriberi, say researchers who claim they have cracked this nearly 120-year-old mystery.

Shackleton is known for his daring expeditions to Antarctica in the early 20th century. He experienced prolonged bouts of extr...

Many Consumers Misunderstand Those 'Best Before' Food Labels

People may think they know what 'Best before' food date labels mean, but a new study reveals that many consumers misunderstand them.

The study of over 2,600 U.S. adults "showed that an overwhelming majority of consumers say that they use food date labels to make decisions about food and say they know what the labels mean," said study autho...

U.S. COVID Outlook Shows Big Improvement by July

The United States could see a sharp decline in COVID-19 cases by the end of July, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Six research teams asked to project future COVID-19 trends have concluded that new infections will drastically drop in July and continue to fall through September, the researc...

What's the Right Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Heart?

There's a "sweet spot" for the amount of sleep you should get to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, new research shows.

Folks who get six to seven hours a sleep a night -- no more, no less -- have the lowest chance of dying from a heart attack or stroke, according to new findings.

Waking early or dozing on past that ideal...

ADHD Meds Can Help Preschoolers, But Effects Vary

WEDNESDAY, May 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Parents of preschoolers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be advised to give their child medication to help them concentrate, sit still and/or control impulsive behaviors.

A new study comparing two classes of medications might help them arrive at a decisio...

Peloton Recalls Treadmills Following Child's Death, Numerous Injuries

Peloton said Wednesday it is recalling its Tread and Tread+ exercise machines, just weeks after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned that one child's death and dozens of injuries have been linked to the treadmills.

In a company statement, Peloton CEO John Foley acknowledged the company had been wrong to initially fight...

Heart Disease Often Comes in Pairs, Spouse Study Shows

Couples share a lot together, but heart disease wouldn't be on any couples' list. However, new research out of China shows that if your spouse has heart disease you're likely at high risk for it, too.

Living together can often mean unhealthy habits are shared, explained the study's lead author.

"We found that an individual's cardiov...