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Top Heart Disease Treatment and Prevention Advancements in 2023
From new medications to gaining better understanding of the link between cardiovascular, kidney disease, and metabolic syndrome, a number of advancements in heart disease prevention and treatment were made in 2023. Getty Images
Heart disease affects millions of people every year.
Several advancements in treatment and prevention occurred throughout 2023.
Among these innovations are new injectable medications that are making treatment easier and more effective.
As 2023 comes to a clo
Can Ozempic and Other GLP-1 Drugs Reduce Alzheimer's Disease Risk?
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Researchers are investigating if popular drugs used for diabetes and weightloss may help prevent cognitive decline and dementia.
The drugs, which belong to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, work by altering the metabolic system and lowering inflammation throughout the body.
Trials evaluating the ability of these drugs to combat cognitive decline are already underway, however, results aren’t expected until 2025.
In addit
Drug Combo Improved Survival For Women With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
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A new study finds that a drug combination may help treat triple-negative breast cancer.
This type of cancer can be very difficult to treat with traditional treatments.
The study found a monoclonal antibody medication in combination with chemotherapy may help improve survival rates for people with this type of cancer.
Researchers may have identified a new effective treatment regimen for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
A new
Always Using Salt at Mealtimes May Increase Your Kidney Disease Risk by 29%
Eating too much sodium can increase your risk of certain health issues. SolStock/Getty Images
High salt intake is associated with many health problems including high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart failure.
New research indicates that people who use salt at mealtimes are at increased risk of chronic kidney disease, compared with those who use it sparingly or not at all.
Using salt at mealtimes was also associated with other socioeconomic factors like higher BMI, lower physica
Selma Blair Says MS in Remission but Has Chronic Pain from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Selma Blair recently shared an update on her health, revealing that her MS is in remission and how she manages living with chronic pain from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Actress Selma Blair recently spoke about her health via her Instagram account.
She stated that she is currently in remission from MS.
However, she does have pain from a genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that affe
Not Getting Enough Sleep May Increase Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Without enough sleep, your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar can be disrupted. Maria Korneeva/Getty Images
A new study found that sleeping less than 6 hours a night can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
If you don’t get enough sleep, the body’s ability to regulate glucose metabolism and appetite hormones is disrupted.
Type 2 diabetes is defined by a buildup of glucose levels when the body cannot react to insulin effectively or is unable to produce enough of it.
People who
Study Finds Some People With Rectal Cancer May Be Able to Skip Radiation
A new study finds radiation may not be needed for certain forms of rectal cancer. PER Images/Stocksy
A new study finds some people with rectal cancer may be able to forgo radiation.
The trial involved more than 1,100 people with locally advanced rectal cancer, meaning it had not spread to other parts of the body.
After five years, researchers found that people who received chemotherapy alone before surgery did as well as those who underwent both chemotherapy and radiation before surge
Swapping Salt with Substitutes May Lower Your Risk of Death from Heart Disease
Replacing regular salt with healthier substitutions may help lower your risk of dying from heart disease. Photography by Aya Brackett
A new study has found that replacing common salt with salt substitutes may lower your risk of dying from heart disease.
Salt substitution was found to have an effect similar to blood pressure medications.
Experts say salt substitution helps to control blood pressure and potentially reduces strain on the heart.
Salt substitution aside, you can reduce
Women Over 70 Are Commonly Overdiagnosed with Breast Cancer
New research finds that overdiagnosis of breast cancer is common among older women, leading to unneeded treatments and causing unnecessary distress. Cavan Images/Getty Images
A new report indicates that the overdiagnosis of breast cancer in older women is quite common.
Overdiagnosed cancers are those that will not cause a problem during the patient’s lifetime.
Overdiagnosis is a problem because it leads to unneeded treatments.
It also creates unnecessary psychological distress for w
Arnold Schwarzenegger Recovering from Surgery After Getting a Pacemaker
Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed he recently underwent surgery to get a pacemaker implanted to help manage irregular heartbeat. Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images
Arnold Schwarzenegger is now living with a pacemaker following several open heart surgeries, some dating back to the 1990s.
Pacemakers are small battery-powered devices that help to control the rhythm of the heart by delivering tiny electrical impulses
The former Governor of California is in good health foll
Mediterranean Diet: How It Can Help People With MS Maintain Memory, Cognitive Skills
Experts say lifestyle choices such as a healthy diet can help people with multiple sclerosis to maintain their cognitive skills.
Researchers say a Mediterranean diet can help people with multiple sclerosis to better retain their memory and cognitive skills.
One of the reasons, they say, is the plant-based diet can help reduce inflammation that causes brain health issues.
Experts note that people with multiple sclerosis can also benefit by adopting other healthy lifestyle habits such as
Weight Loss Combined with Exercise Can Cut Heart Attack Risk for People with Type 2 Diabetes
Weight loss combined with physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack for people who are living with type 2 diabetes. vitapix/Getty Images
A new study found that weight loss and physical activity dropped the risk of heart attacks by over 60% for people with type 2 diabetes.
The CDC estimates that about 38 million Americans or one in 10 have diabetes and 95% of them have type 2 diabetes.
Experts recommend people get on average about 150 minutes of exercise a we
Using Salt Substitutes May Reduce Risk of Developing High Blood Pressure by 40%
Eating too much salt is a known risk factor for developing high blood pressure. Nadine Greeff/Stocksy United
Potassium-enriched salt substitutes did not increase the risk of high blood pressure in older adults, a new study found.
Reducing sodium in the diet is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of high blood pressure, but it can be challenging for people to do consistently
In the study, a salt substitute didn’t increase the risk of low blood pressure episodes, which can i
What to Know About the New Malaria Vaccine
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There’s a new malaria vaccine now available to combat the viral disease.
This is the second malaria vaccine available, but this vaccine is expected to be less costly.
This new vaccine requires three doses with a booster 12 months later.
A new malaria vaccine has been approved and recommended for use by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Scientists at the University of Oxford have studied and developed a new vaccine to help prevent malar
1 in 3 U.S. Women Lack Access to Abortion Care After End of Roe
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One year after Roe V. Wade fell about 1 in 3 women in U.S. live in a state where abortion is not accessible.
Thirteen states have banned abortion, the vast majority of which are located in the South and Southeast.
States that allow abortions are now serving their own residents along with people traveling from out-of-state.
It’s been one year since Roe v. Wade, the 1973 precedent that protected the right to get an abortion in th
‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson Shares How He Manages Living with Bipolar Disorder
Alan Ritchson, star of Amazon’s hit series, ‘Reacher,’ is sharing new details of how he manages living with bipolar disorder. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Amazon Prime Video
Actor Alan Ritchson addresses his bipolar disorder diagnosis in a new interview.
The disorder is characterized by manic and depressive episodes.
Experts say that high-profile people speaking about mental health is crucial to breaking down stigma.
Alan Ritchson, the star of Amazon Prime’s Reacher series, is
Prince Harry Credits Use of Psychedelics with Relief from Anxiety, Trauma
Health experts say Prince Harry’s honesty about using psychedelics to help him deal with past trauma and anxiety is a step in the right direction toward demystifying their potential as mental health treatments. Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images
In a recent interview, Prince Harry said psychedelics have helped him deal with the traumas and pains of the past
Research suggests psychedelics may help improve mood and ease some mental health issues, such as anxiety
Experts suggest that m
Stress Can Affect Your Ability to Think Clearly, Study Finds
New research finds people are 37% more likely to have lower cognitive function when they’re stressed. Justin Paget/Getty Images
A new study has found a link between stress and reduced cognitive function.
People were 37% more likely to have lower cognitive function when they had elevated stress.
The effect occurred in both Black and white individuals, but Black individuals reported more stress overall.
Experts say unabated stress can cause numerous effects on physical and mental heal
Mediterranean Lifestyle Can Help Lower Your Risk of Cancer, Early Death
Eating foods associated with the Mediterranean diet has been associated with lower cancer risks. Westend61/Getty Images
New research shows that individuals adhering to a “Mediterranean lifestyle” have 29% lower risk of all-cause mortality and 28% lower risk of cancer mortality compared to those who do not.
The Mediterranean lifestyle includes a variety of factors including diet, eating habits, and rest.
The study suggests that the health benefits can be replicated outside of the Medite
FDA Approves Drug Hair Loss Treatment for Alopecia
A new drug may help reverse hair loss in people with alopecia. Alina Rudya/Bell Collective/Getty Images
The FDA approved a new drug ritlecitinib, sold under the brand name, Litfulo, to treat severe alopecia areata. It will be available in the coming weeks.
This is the first drug that is approved to be safe for alopecia patients ages 12 and older.
Litfulo works by blocking the inflammatory signals that cause hair loss.
The FDA has now approved a new drug to treat hair loss caused