The heart is a hollow, muscular organ in vertebrates, responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions. The term cardiac, as in cardiology, means – related to the heart – and comes from the Greek word, kardia, for heart.
Sugar-sweetened drinks linked to increased risk of heart disease in men – One soft drink a day raises ‘heart attack danger’ by 20 per cent – Men who drank a 12-ounce sugar-sweetened beverage a day had a 20 percent higher risk of heart disease compared to men who didn’t drink any sugar-sweetened drinks, according to research published in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal.
Kids’ abnormal breathing during sleep linked to increased risk for behavioral difficulties — Risk of problems later in childhood can double with snoring and apnea – Young children with sleep-disordered breathing are prone to developing behavioral difficulties such as hyperactivity and aggressiveness, as well as emotional symptoms and difficulty with peer relationships.
Fish oil omega-3 fatty acids linked to brain health — A Diet Rich in Fish May Help the Aging Brain – A diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients commonly found in fish, may cause your brain to age faster and lose some of its memory and thinking abilities. Omega-3 fatty acids include the nutrients called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
How eating oranges and grapefruit can cut the risk of a stroke by their anti-inflammatory properties — Citrus fruit may lower stroke risk in women – A compound in citrus fruits may reduce your stroke risk, according to research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Study Links ‘Body Clock’ to Sudden Cardiac Death — ‘Biological clock’ may be behind sudden heart attacks – A new study uncovers the first molecular evidence linking the body’s natural circadian rhythms to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Ventricular arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms, are the most common cause of sudden cardiac death: the primary cause of death from heart disease. They occur most frequently in the morning waking hours, followed by a smaller peak in the evening hours.
No Benefits Associated with B Vitamin, Omega-3 Supplements on Cancer Outcomes in Those with Prior Cardiovascular Disease – Taking supplements of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids for cancer prevention does not appear to be beneficial for patients with prior cardiovascular disease. Proper nutrition is considered to be protective against cancer but much is unknown about the roles of individual nutrients in different populations.
Vitamin D Therapy Does Not Improve Certain Cardiac Measures for Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease – Patients with chronic kidney disease who received the vitamin D compound paricalcitol for up to 48 weeks did not show improvement on measures of cardiac structure, function, or left ventricular mass, compared to patients who received placebo.
Short-Term Exposure to Most Major Air Pollutants Associated With Increased Risk of Heart Attack – Short-term exposure (for up to 7 days) to all major air pollutants, with the exception of ozone, is significantly associated with an increased risk of heart attack. The potentially harmful effect of episodes of high air pollution on health has been suspected for more than 50 years.
Women taking indigestion drugs at increased risk of hip fracture after menopause – A prospective study of proton pump inhibitor use and risk of hip fracture in relation to dietary and lifestyle factors – Post-menopausal women are 35% more likely to suffer hip fracture if they take indigestion drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a figure which increases to 50% if they are also current or former smokers.
Expectant mothers on antidepressants risk newborns with high blood pressure – Use of anti-depressants during pregnancy is risky for new borns to have persistent pulmonary hypertension – high blood pressure in the lungs, revealed by researchers.
Dabigatran associated with increased risk of acute coronary events – The anticoagulant dabigatran is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or acute coronary syndrome in a broad spectrum of patients when tested against some other medicines.
Moderate red wine drinking may help cut women’s breast cancer risk, Cedars-Sinai study shows – A glass of red wine with dinner may reduce breast cancer risk in women.
Drinking red wine in moderation may reduce one of the risk factors for breast cancer, providing a natural weapon to combat a major cause of death among U.S. women, new research from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center shows.
