Health News

Air Pollution Increasing Hospitalization Risk
A long-term study of older adults has revealed that extended exposure to fine particle air pollution may result in an increased risk of hospitalization for heart and lung disease or diabetes.
Gum Disease Doesn't Cause Heart Disease
Though they share common risk factors, gum disease does not appear to cause heart disease or stroke. A new statement also reveals that treating gum disease is not proven to prevent stroke or plaque build up in the heart.
FDA Safety Warnings Change for Birth Control Pill
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety warning for birth control pills containing drospirenone . Birth control containing this synthetic hormone may put women at increased risk for blood clots.
Diabetic Men had More Cardiovascular Events
Men with diabetes may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, even if they have no other risk factors. The risk is for diabetic men on insulin therapy and was not as high for men using other therapies for diabetes.
Ticagrelor Reduces Heart Events
Brilinta ( ticagrelor ), a blood thinner approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last summer, has been found to not only reduce first time cardiovascular events, but also to lower recurrent heart events or deaths.
Your Heart Loves Aspirin
Following a heart attack, most patients can expect to take a blood thinner and aspirin to reduce their future cardiovascular risk. Recent findings suggest varying doses of aspirin successfully lower this risk.
Carotid Artery Stents Safe for Grandpa
As patients are living longer, the need to assess heart treatments for the elderly has increased. Investigators have found that placing a stent in the neck's carotid artery of patients over the age of 70 is both safe and effective.
Goldilocks Sleep Best for Heart
If you're feeling sleepy or irritable during the day, you may not be getting enough sleep. And not enough sleep could mean you're at higher risk for a range of heart problems.
Mixed Results for Merck Blood Thinner
A second large study has revealed less than stellar results for an experimental Merck blood thinner. Researchers found that while it reduced cardiovascular events, it also increased the risk of major bleeding.
Treat Psoriasis, Save Your Heart
Those suffering from psoriasis are known to be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease like heart attack and stroke. A new treatment for psoriasis may also significantly decrease the cardiovascular risk. In the treatment, a compound known as adalimumab (sold as Humira ) is injected under the skin. The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology and showed that the treatment decreased skin damage and improved cardiovascular health indicators. Ask your dermatologist about psoriasis’ relation with cardiovascular disease. Robert Bissonn...