Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans, but many are still able to survive heart attacks. What determines who is able to overcome an attack and who succumbs? A team of researchers from the Wake Forest Baptist Medical …
Heart Disease
Why Pregnant Women Shouldn’t Smoke
It’s not healthy to smoke during pregnancy but an estimated 12% to 24% of pregnant women continue to use tobacco, according to national data [PDF]. So if the existing evidence hasn’t convinced them to quit, perhaps this new study …
Family MattersPregnancy
A New Study Details the Effects of Smoking in Pregnancy
Pretty much everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. It’s particularly ill-advised for pregnant women, although data show one in five U.S. moms-to-be still cop to the habit. Lest smokers need another nudge to quit, the first …
Salt: How Bad Is It, Really?
Much like cell phones and eggs, salt is one of those things that studies say is bad for you one day, but O.K. the next.
Study: Quitting Smoking With Chantix May Increase Risk of Heart Attack
A popular drug prescribed to help people quit smoking may pose a significantly increased risk of heart attack in users, a new study finds. The results may further complicate doctors’ and patients’ decisions to use the drug, …
Why Being Thin Doesn’t Always Mean Being Healthy
If there’s a universal truth in health news lately, it’s that being overweight isn’t good for your health. Extra weight, especially in the form of fat, can lead to heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, among …
Too Much TV Linked With Disease and Early Death
If you’re like most Americans, you probably spend at least some portion of your day in front of the TV. After work and sleep, watching TV is our most common everyday activity — the average American watches five hours daily. …
FDA Restricts Use of High Doses of Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Zocor
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday restricted the use of high doses of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin, which is sold in generic forms and under the brand names Zocor and Vytorin, because of concerns …
Study: Red and Processed Meats Linked With Colon Cancer Risk
Burger lovers may feel disheartened as the case against red meat continues to grow.
Study: Baked, Broiled — But Not Fried — Fish Is Good for the Heart
Want a healthier heart? Try adding fish to your diet. But be careful how it’s cooked, a new study warns: baked or broiled fish will boost heart health, but fried fish is probably better left uneaten.
Low-Salt Diets Reduce Heart Disease Risk, Right? A Study Disagrees
The government’s recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans had some familiar recommendations for health: eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise more and lower the amount of salt you eat.
Among Tai Chi’s Many Benefits: Raising Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients
Previous studies have linked the practice of tai chi with a host of health benefits. It may help reduce blood pressure, lessen pain from arthritis and fibromyalgia, improve sleep, and ease depression in the elderly. Now add to …
Family MattersPediatric Genetics
Genetic Testing for Kids: Is It a Good Idea?
With the advent of new genetic tests, it’s increasingly easy to gauge whether you’re predisposed to developing certain conditions — diabetes, say, or breast cancer. For adults, that knowledge can be simultaneously …
