Irregular Heart Beat May Pose Bigger Threat to Women

By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Jan. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The world’s most common type of abnormal heart rhythm appears to pose a greater health threat to women than men, a new review suggests.

Atrial fibrillation is a stronger risk factor for stroke, heart disease, heart failure and death in women than it is in men, according to an analysis published online Jan. 19 in the BMJ.

Atrial fibrillation occurs when rapid, disorganized electrical signals cause the heart’s two upper chambers — the atria — to contract in a herky-jerky manner, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

The condition is most often associated with an increased risk of stroke, because the irregular rhythm allows blood to pool and clot in the atria.

But women with atrial fibrillation are twice as likely to suffer a stroke than men with the condition are, researchers concluded after reviewing evidence from 30 studies involving 4.3 million patients.

Women with atrial fibrillation also are 93 percent more likely to die from a heart condition, 55 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack, 16 percent more likely to develop heart failure and 12 percent more likely to die from any cause, when compared to men, the investigators found.

“This study adds to a growing body of literature showing that women may experience cardiovascular diseases and risk factors differently than men,” said review author Connor Emdin, a doctoral student in cardiovascular epidemiology at the University of Oxford’s George Institute for Global Health, in England.

Atrial fibrillation is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke worldwide, with an estimated 33.5 million people affected in 2010, the researchers pointed out.

Women may do worse with atrial fibrillation because their symptoms aren’t as apparent as those in men, said Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of women’s heart health for the Heart and Vascular Institute at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

“It’s reasonable to consider that it’s diagnosed later, or it’s not as recognized or that the symptoms are not the same,” Steinbaum said.

Women might wave off symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath, chalking them up to stress or feeling tired rather than seeing them as warning signs for heart disease, she said.

Dr. Christopher Granger, a cardiologist at Duke University in Durham, N.C., agreed that atrial fibrillation might not be as easy to recognize in women as in men.

However, Granger added that a worse problem is a lack of proper treatment for both women and men with atrial fibrillation.

“Most of them should be on an anticoagulant [anti-clotting drugs] to prevent stroke, and many of them are not,” Granger said. “That’s even more of a concern in women than in men because, as this study shows, they are at higher risk for dangerous and even deadly complications.”

Emdin said that another explanation might be that “atrial fibrillation in women may be more severe than atrial fibrillation in men, on average, and thereby cause death and cardiovascular disease at a higher rate.”

The association could also be a coincidence, since the studies reviewed were not clinical trials and so couldn’t draw a direct cause-and-effect link, Emdin added.

“It may be that the associations we report are not causal, and that women with atrial fibrillation are more likely to have comorbidities [co-existing medical conditions] in addition to atrial fibrillation that cause death and cardiovascular disease,” he said.

In any case, all three experts recommended that women with atrial fibrillation should focus on improving their health by exercising, eating right, managing their stress and controlling their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

“Recent research has demonstrated that lifestyle modification can reduce the severity of atrial fibrillation,” Emdin said. “And if they have not already done so, women should consult with their physician about use of anticoagulant therapy.”

More information

For more on atrial fibrillation, visit the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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Hayden Panettiere: Opening Up About Postpartum Depression Was “a Weight Off My Shoulders”

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At her first red carpet appearance in the U.S. since entering treatment for postpartum depression last fall, Hayden Panettiere spoke to People about what it was like to be in front of the cameras again.

“It feels different for me because of things that I’ve gone through recently, over the last year,” the actress said at the Critics’ Choice Awards on Sunday. “I’ve really gone, ‘You know what, I’ve been in this industry for so long, forget it!’ I’ve been hiding myself. Just putting out the smiling face, showing people this, and allowing that veil to come down—it’s like a weight off my shoulders.”

RELATED: Hayden Panettiere Talks About Her Postpartum Depression

Panettiere welcomed daughter Kaya Evdokia with her fiancé Wladimir Klitschko in December 2014. During an interview on Live! With Kelly and Michael in September, the Nashville star opened up about her experience with the mood disorder, which also affected her character on the ABC hit show.

“[It’s] something that I can very much relate to, and it’s something that I know a lot of women experience,” she told the hosts. “When they tell you about postpartum depression, you think about, ‘Okay, I feel negative feelings towards my child, I want to injure my child, I want to hurt my child’—I’ve never ever had those feelings, and some women do… You don’t realize how broad of a spectrum you can really experience that on. It’s something I think needs to be talked about, and women need to know they’re not alone, and that it does heal.”

A few weeks after the interview aired, Panettiere released a statement saying she had entered a treatment center for her postpartum depression.

RELATED: 11 Celebrities Who Battled Postpartum Depression

About 13% of women who give birth develop postpartum depression. Although it’s often referred to as the “baby blues,” it’s a serious mood disorder that can strike anyone (yes, even dads). It can occur up to a year after childbirth, but typically begins within one to three weeks. Symptoms include crying for no apparent reason, trouble eating or sleeping, or questioning your abilities as a parent.

On Sunday, Panettiere told People that being back in the public eye for the awards show was easier now “because I don’t feel like I have to hide anymore.”

“The only important thing to me is that I’m not causing myself pain and discomfort anymore, and I can be a strong woman for my daughter to look up to,” she said. “It would horrible for me to be going, ‘You can be whomever you want! You can do whatever you want in life!’ yet I was unable to follow the same words.”

The actress added that the positive response to her statements has been encouraging. “I’m 26 years old. I’m a mom. I don’t need to be afraid of what people are going to think,” she said. “I saw how much people rallied behind me when I was honest, and I didn’t know that honesty could be such a gift.”

 

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4 Annoying Comments to Expect When You’re Losing Weight

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Losing weight is challenging enough without other people adding their two cents. But the reality is you’re likely to catch flak from at least one friend or family member who doesn’t understand (or can’t accept) your new choices. The trick to dealing with those Negative Nancies? Ignore them, says Marisa Moore, RDN, a nutritionist in Atlanta, “because it’s not about what other people think about you.” It’s about putting your own health first. Here are four annoying comments you might hear on your way to a healthier lifestyle—and a bulletproof response for each one.

“Ugh, you used to be so fun.”

Last week you were indulging in mozzarella sticks and boneless wings; now you’re rocking an “I love kale” shirt and holding a mason jar salad. It’s possible your pals are a little confused by the sudden change. Don’t let their discomfort derail you, says Moore. Remind yourself why you decided to lose weight in the first place, and stay focused on your long-term goal.  Megan Roosevelt, RD, the founder of HealthyGroceryGirl.com, recommends this simple but powerful reply: “I’m sorry you feel that way, but I’m happy with how I feel.”

RELATED: Why Having a Best Friend Is Good for Your Health, According to Science

“Isn’t eating that _______ counterproductive?”

You just torched 1,000 calories at the gym, you haven’t had a burrito in forever, and there’s a Chipotle around the corner. Time for a well-earned treat! The last thing you need right now is a passive aggressive remark about how you’re ruining all your hard work. But try not to take it personally. It’s possible your new lifestyle is tapping into your friend’s insecurity about her own weight or diet. Or perhaps she is genuinely trying to help you make a healthier choice. After all, is a burrito busting out of its tortilla the best way to nourish your body post-workout? Technically no, but that’s for your to decide. So don’t sweat it (you’ve already done plenty of that!) and steal Moore’s reply: “It’s perfectly fine for me to eat this as long as I’m balancing everything else I eat for the day.”

“Aren’t you done losing weight yet?”

You’ve reached your target weight—but you’re still eating clean? And exercising? What gives?! This may be confusing to anyone who doesn’t understand that maintaining a healthy weight means permanent changes. “You’re going to make those healthy choices every day, not just when you’re dieting,” says Roosevelt. After all, you’re trying to be healthy for life, not just a few months. Whenever you face that question, respond with “This is my new normal,” Moore suggests. That’s all you really need to say.

RELATED: 57 Ways to Lose Weight Forever, According to Science

“I went on a health kick once.”

You’re gushing over your favorite Spin instructor when your brother starts reminiscing about his brief stint as a gym rat—implying, of course, that your new lifestyle is just a phase. “That’s negativity you really don’t have to buy into,” says Moore, because his experience is not your experience. But try to consider his perspective: “I think initially people just want to connect with you and share something in common,” says Roosevelt. So don’t brush off his comment right away. Keep the conversation going—you might even inspire him to revisit his good ol’ healthy days.

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California Sees Doubling of CT Scans for Minor Injuries, Study Finds

TUESDAY, Jan. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The use of CT scans on patients with minor injuries doubled in California in recent years, a new study reports.

The study authors said these findings are concerning because exposure to CT scan radiation has been associated with an increased risk of cancer. One CT scan may be linked to fatal cancer in one in 2,000 patients, according to a 2009 report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“The message for both patients and physicians is that there are long-term risks associated with radiation exposure and there may be situations where imaging is not definitively warranted or beneficial,” said study senior author Dr. Renee Hsia. She is a professor of emergency medicine and health policy at the University of California, San Francisco.

“We can’t conclusively say which cases should not involve imaging, since every patient and every circumstance is different, but given that it is getting easier and easier to get CT scans, we need to be cautious in weighing their risks and benefits,” Hsia said in a university news release.

Researchers looked at data on more than 8 million visits by adults to ERs in California. Patients were seen at 348 hospitals between 2005 and 2013. The visits were for non-serious injuries such as broken bones and neck strains. All of the patients were discharged after being seen in the ERs, the research showed.

The study revealed that 7 percent of the patients had at least one CT scan in 2013, compared to 3.5 percent in 2005.

CTs were used more in hospitals designated as high-level trauma centers. About 39 percent of the CTs in the study occurred at level I and II trauma centers, compared with 3 percent at low-level centers.

A disproportionate number of those who had a CT scan were between the ages of 18 and 24 or older than 45, the study authors said.

There are a number of reasons for the increasing use of CT scans on patients with non-serious injuries, the researchers said.

“They range from defensive medicine practices, the superior diagnostic accuracy of CT scans compared with X-rays, to their increased availability and convenience in emergency departments, and the demand to expedite discharge of patients,” Hsia said.

The study was published Jan. 19 in the Journal of Surgical Research.

More information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more about CT scans and radiation risks.

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Take Care in the Bitter Cold

TUESDAY, Jan. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As frigid temperatures send much of the northern half of the United States into a deep freeze, doctors say people need to take steps to avoid dangerous drops in body temperature, or hypothermia.

“It is important to take measures to stay warm, paying special attention to the head and scalp [as well as the nose, neck and ears], which are often exposed to the cold air and at risk for heat loss in cold temperatures,” Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said in a hospital news release.

“In the cold weather, it’s important to keep your head, face and nose covered, but most importantly dress in layers to prevent heat loss,” he added. Glatter also advised wearing “sturdy, insulated boots with thick wool socks which keep your feet and toes warm in the cold temperatures — especially while shoveling snow.”

It only takes 15 or 20 minutes in below-freezing temperatures to develop hypothermia if you are not wearing proper layering, are in wet clothing or have exposed skin. Drinking alcohol also deadens your sensitivity to cold and can raise the risk of hypothermia, Glatter noted.

Seniors and young children are at greatest risk for hypothermia. Shivering, confusion and dizziness are among the symptoms of the condition, which can lead to heart failure and death, especially in people with heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, Glatter said.

“It is critical to call 911 and remove the person from the outdoors if you suspect hypothermia is developing. Removing wet clothing and covering a person with warm blankets is essential,” he said.

Glatter also warned that the combination of cold weather and shoveling can significantly increase heart attack risk, especially in people with chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, and those with a history of heart disease and stroke.

“It’s quite important to take frequent breaks while shoveling, but also to keep yourself well-hydrated, both before and after shoveling. If you develop chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, [or] arm or back pain while shoveling, stop and call 911,” Glatter said.

“I recommend using a smaller snow shovel or consider using a snow blower if you have to remove snow. Lifting heavy snow can potentially raise your blood pressure sharply as you lift. It’s safer to lift smaller amounts more frequently — or if you can’t lift it, just push the snow,” he suggested.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about winter health and safety.

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Schools Offering Drinking Water May Have Slightly Slimmer Students

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Jan. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Offering water in school cafeterias appears to promote modest weight loss as kids choose it over milk and other drinks, researchers report.

In schools with so-called water jets, which chill and oxygenate the water, the odds of boys being overweight were 0.9 percent less than among boys in schools without water jets. For girls, water jets were linked with a 0.6 percent decreased chances of overweight, the New York University researchers found.

“This is a small effect, but we are looking for anything that might be working for childhood obesity, and this is a low-cost intervention,” said lead researcher Brian Elbel. He is an associate professor of population health and health policy at NYU School of Medicine in New York City.

Elbel thinks that this modest decrease in weight is the result of kids choosing water over other drinks, such as milk or sugary sodas or juices they may bring from home. “If you are drinking water, then you are not drinking something else that has more calories in it,” he said.

Elbel added that this finding only shows an association between water availability and weight loss, not that having water jets in school cafeterias caused kids to lose weight.

Before water jets were installed, water was not readily available in New York City school cafeterias, Elbel said. “When water was available on the serving line and easy to get, that’s all it took to get kids to drink more water,” he said.

Elbel said that this school experience might translate to the home. Making water more available at home as an alternative could also help kids lose weight, he said. “A small change at home could have a big impact,” he added.

The report was published online Jan. 19 in JAMA Pediatrics. Funding for the study was provided by the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

For the study, the researchers collected data on more than 1,200 New York City elementary and middle schools. There were more than one million students in these schools. Of the schools, 483 had water jets in their cafeteria and 744 did not.

The study authors also found that about 12 fewer half-pints of milk per student were purchased each year after the water jets were installed.

The water jets were placed in the schools in 2009 by New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Education as a way to increase access to drinking water during lunch. Water jets are electrically cooled, large, clear jugs that dispense water quickly and cost about $1,000 per machine, according to background information in the study.

Dr. David Katz is director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center and president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. According to Katz, “This study demonstrates a number of important but fundamentally simple principles. First, water is usually the best choice for any of us when thirsty,” he said.

“Second, the choices we make are limited to the choices we have. Give kids easy, convenient access to cold water and they drink more of it,” he added.

“Third, we sometimes do have to build the obvious solution to get people to come to it,” Katz explained.

Many studies show or suggest a benefit from eating dairy foods. “That may be true, and is certainly true when milk is chosen instead of soda. But this study suggests that if the contest is between milk and water, water is apt to win,” Katz said. “This study is a robust validation of applying sense to the basic care and feeding of our kids.”

More information

For more on obesity, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Terminal Cancer Patients in U.S. Less Likely to Die in Hospitals

TUESDAY, Jan. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Comparing end-of-life practices internationally, researchers found the United States has the lowest percentage of in-hospital cancer deaths among seven developed countries.

Terminally ill U.S. cancer patients also spend less time in the hospital the last six months of life than those in the other countries, although they are more likely to receive intensive care and chemotherapy, researchers found.

The study, published in the Jan. 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests that end-of-life care has changed significantly in response to patient preferences.

“In the early 1980s, more than 70 percent of U.S. cancer patients died in hospital,” wrote Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, and colleagues.

Over the last 30 years, the researchers said, several factors have helped advance end-of-life care. They include: recognition of preferences for home-based care; dying patients’ rights to refuse medical interventions; economic pressures to cut costs; and expanded hospice care.

“Yet excessive utilization of high-intensity care near the end of life, particularly in the United States relative to other developed countries, underscores the need for continued progress to improve end-of-life care practices,” the researchers added in a journal news release.

The researchers analyzed 2010-2012 data to assess end-of-life care for cancer patients, 65 and older, in the United States, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands.

Rates of in-hospital death were about 22 percent in the United States, roughly 29 percent in the Netherlands, over 38 percent in England, Norway and Germany, and more than 50 percent in Belgium and Canada.

While overall time in the hospital was less for U.S. patients than those elsewhere, more than 40 percent of U.S. patients were admitted to the intensive care unit in the last six months of life, a rate more than twice as high as any other country in the study.

The researchers also found that more than 38 percent of patients in the United States received at least one chemotherapy session in the last six months of life, more than any other country in the study.

In the last 180 days of life, average per-patient spending (in U.S. dollars) was $21,840 in Canada; $19,783 in Norway; $18,500 in the United States, $16,221 in Germany, $15,699 in Belgium, $10,936 in the Netherlands and $9,342 in England.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about end-of-life care.

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Watch 100 Years of Japanese Beauty Trends in 102 Seconds

Cut video is at it again with another 100 Years of Beauty video, this time featuring the stunning evolution of trends in beauty-centric Japan. From the strict geisha look of the 1910s to the playful Harajuku style of the 2010s, Japan has seen it all. While all of the looks are incredible, our favorite is from the 1960s: That cheery, Twiggy-inspired makeup and larger-than-life hair make us want to jump back in time. Want to see more? Check out this behind-the-scenes video to learn where the Cut team got its inspiration for each look.

 

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Glow-In-The-Dark Hair Is 2016’s Newest Trend

Trader Joe’s Recalls Cashews Over Salmonella Concerns

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Trader Joe’s has issued a recall of its store-brand raw cashew pieces over salmonella concerns.

The grocery store chain said Friday there’s a “possibility” that some of its Trader Joe’s Raw Cashew Pieces may have been contaminated with salmonella. The recall affects specific packages with the barcode number 00505154 that were distributed to Trader Joe’s stores in more than two dozen states, including New York, Georgia and Illinois.

“Out of an abundance of caution, all lots of Trader Joe’s Raw Cashew Pieces have been removed from store shelves and their sale has been suspended while we investigate this matter,” the company said in a statement. “If you purchased any Trader Joe’s Raw Cashew Pieces with the specified lot code, ‘BEST BEFORE 07.17.2016TF4,’ please do not eat it.”

There have been no reported illnesses.

This article originally appeared on Time.com.

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