Move of the Week: Side Incline With a Twist

The side incline with a twist is one of those perfect multitasking moves: It not only sculpts your abs, but also your waist, triceps, and biceps. Watch Health’s contributing fitness editor, Kristin McGee, demonstrate how to do this challenging variation on the classic side plank.

RELATED: 24 Fat-Burning Ab Exercises (No Crunches!)

Here’s how to do it: Get into a side plank position on your left side, with your forearm directly under your shoulder, hand perpendicular to your body, and legs stacked. Engage your abs and lift your hips up. Stretch your right arm toward the ceiling and look up at your right hand. Now, scoop your right arm in front of your body and reach through the space between your chest and the ground. Come back up. Complete four reps, then repeat on the other side.

Trainer tip: Try to keep your hips still, and turn from the waist up to maximize the move’s oblique-toning potential.

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Screen High-Risk Adults for Tuberculosis, Experts Say

TUESDAY, March 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Adults at greater risk for latent tuberculosis infection should be screened for the condition, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends.

“The task force recommends that primary care clinicians screen adults at increased risk for [latent TB] to help prevent the progression to active TB,” panel member Dr. Francisco Garcia said in a task force news release. Garcia is director and chief medical officer of the Pima County Health Department in Tucson, Ariz.

Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is an infection caused by bacteria. Anyone in close contact with someone with tuberculosis may be exposed to the bacteria. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the health panel.

TB usually attack the lungs, but the bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain. If it isn’t treated properly, the disease can be fatal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 30 percent of people exposed to the bacteria will develop latent tuberculosis. These people are infected but don’t have any symptoms, the task force panel explained.

People with latent TB can’t spread the infection to others, but up to 10 percent of them eventually develop active TB if the condition is left untreated, according to the task force.

TB isn’t as common in the United States as it is in other parts of the world. China, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Mexico, the Philippines and Vietnam are all countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis. Anyone born or living in these countries has a greater risk for latent TB. Residents of group settings — such as homeless shelters and correctional facilities — are also at increased risk for exposure to TB, the panel explained in the news release.

The task force’s independent panel of national experts noted their recommendation is “grade B,” meaning they are highly certain it will have significant benefits. Screening tests that can detect latent TB are available. There are also effective treatments that can prevent these infections from getting worse.

The draft recommendation statement was posted for public comment on the task force’s website. Comments can be submitted from March 8 until April 4.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about tuberculosis.

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Lack of Stem Cells May Be Key to Repeat Miscarriages

TUESDAY, March 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A lack of stem cells in the lining of the uterus may cause recurrent miscarriages, a new study suggests.

“We have discovered that the lining of the womb in the recurrent miscarriage patients we studied is already defective before pregnancy,” said research team leader Jan Brosens, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Warwick in England.

Brosens said the researchers will use the findings to begin seeking solutions to the problem.

“I can envisage that we will be able to correct these defects before the patient tries to achieve another pregnancy. In fact, this may be the only way to really prevent miscarriages in these cases,” Brosens said in a university news release.

Between 15 percent and 25 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. And one in 100 women trying to have children suffers recurrent miscarriages, defined as the loss of three or more consecutive pregnancies, the researchers noted.

Stem cells, meanwhile, have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body, scientists say.

For the current study, the research team analyzed uterine lining samples from 183 women. They found that those who miscarried repeatedly had a lack of stem cells in the tissue.

The researchers noted that the lining has to renew itself after each menstrual cycle, miscarriage and birth. This shortage likely accelerates aging of the uterine lining, increasing the risk of miscarriage, they said.

“Cultured cells from women who had had three or more consecutive miscarriages showed that aging cells in the lining of the womb don’t have the ability to prepare adequately for pregnancy,” Brosens said.

The study was published March 7 in the journal Stem Cells.

“The real challenge now is to develop strategies to increase the function of stem cells in the womb lining,” study co-author Siobhan Quenby, a professor of obstetrics, said in the news release.

“We will start piloting new interventions to improve the lining of the womb in the spring of 2016,” she said.

The researchers’ focus will be twofold, Quenby said. First, they want to develop new tests of the uterine lining, or endometrium, to improve the screening of women at risk of repeat miscarriages.

“Second, there are a number of drugs and other interventions, such as endometrial ‘scratch,’ a procedure used to help embryos implant more successfully, that have the potential to increase the stem cell populations in the womb lining,” Quenby said.

More information

The March of Dimes has more about miscarriage.

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Study Suggests Causes for Lupus’ Impact on Immune System

By Amy Norton
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, March 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Scientists have found new clues that help explain what’s going wrong in the immune systems of people with lupus — insight they hope will lead to new therapies, or help guide current treatment choices.

Lupus has several forms, but the most common is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In SLE, the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies against the body’s own tissue. The onslaught can have widespread effects, damaging the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys and brain, according to the Lupus Foundation of America.

The disease mostly strikes women, usually starting in their 20s or 30s, the foundation says.

In the new study, the researchers found evidence that in people with lupus, some of the immune system’s “B cells” mature the wrong way — so that they promote inflammation instead of fighting it.

The findings, published online March 8 in the journal Immunity, could help in developing new lupus therapies, said senior researcher Claudia Mauri. She is a professor of immunology at University College London in the United Kingdom.

In people without lupus, anti-inflammatory B cells appear to prevent excessive production of a protein called interferon-alpha, explained Mauri.

That’s a critical job because too much interferon-alpha leads to too many B cells that produce antibodies, the study authors said. Antibodies are necessary soldiers in the body’s defense against infection, but in lupus, some of those antibodies target the body itself.

“We will continue to work to develop new [treatment] strategies that harness the anti-inflammatory B cells in patients with SLE,” Mauri said.

Right now, a number of drugs are used to treat lupus, including immune-system suppressors such as cyclophosphamide and tacrolimus, and anti-malaria drugs like hydroxychloroquine — which can ease the fatigue, joint pain and skin rash that lupus commonly causes, according to the Lupus Foundation of America.

In some cases, doctors try a drug called rituximab, an IV medication designed to kill off certain B cells. Rituximab is approved to treat certain cancers and rheumatoid arthritis — another autoimmune disease; but some lupus patients respond to the medication, too, the study authors said.

It’s been unclear, though, why only certain lupus patients see benefits from rituximab, according to the researchers. Mauri said the new findings suggest a reason. People’s response to rituximab may depend on whether they have normal activity in two genes related to interferon-alpha.

That, Mauri said, suggests that lupus patients should have gene testing before they’re placed on rituximab. But, she stressed, “long-term studies — where patients get tested before, during and after treatment — are needed to prove that hypothesis unequivocally.”

A rheumatologist who was not involved in the study agreed. “At this point, more work is needed, including looking at feasibility and cost issues,” said Dr. Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman, a professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in Chicago.

Ramsey-Goldman also agreed that the findings could eventually lead to new therapies, or point researchers in the direction of existing drugs for other conditions that could be “repurposed” to fight lupus.

The findings are based on blood samples from nearly 100 healthy volunteers and 200 people with lupus. Mauri’s team found that lupus patients seemed to have an imbalance among three types of immune cells: B cells that produce antibodies; B cells that regulate inflammation; and cells that produce interferon-alpha.

Essentially, there is a lack of anti-inflammatory B cells, which leads to overproduction of interferon-alpha. That, in turn, boosts that number of antibody-producing B cells, the study found.

The root cause of it all remains a mystery, however, Mauri said.

And not all lupus patients would have this particular abnormality, according to Ramsey-Goldman. “SLE is probably a syndrome with multiple different immune system abnormalities,” she said.

In general, Ramsey-Goldman explained, lupus is thought to arise from a combination of genetic susceptibility to autoimmune diseases and certain environmental factors.

Researchers still don’t know what those factors are. But the suspects include certain infections, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, and on-the-job exposure to silica dust, according to the Lupus Foundation of America.

More information

The Lupus Foundation of America has more on lupus risk factors.

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4 Tricks to Make an Easy Switch to Daylight Saving Time

Photo: Getty Images

Warmer temperatures, longer days, and the scramble to file your taxes point to one thing: spring is around the corner, and with it, the start of Daylight Saving Time. That means on Sunday, March 13 (at 2 a.m.), it’s time to turn your clocks ahead one hour to “spring forward.”

But it pays to be prepared. “Compared to the fall time change, most people actually have a harder time adjusting when we ‘spring forward,’ because we’re losing an hour of sleep,” explains sleep specialist and clinical psychologist Michael Breus, PhD.

Thankfully, though, there a few easy tweaks you can make to your routine to make the segue to DST smooth and easy.

Step back before you spring forward

More than one third of Americans are chronically sleep deprived, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “If you’re in this set, it probably won’t be difficult for you to fall asleep at the new time,” Breus says, “but be sure to set your clock ahead before going to sleep on Saturday, March 12.” That way, seeing the lost hour up front will motivate you to go to bed earlier, rather than bumming you out the next morning when you wake up.

If you’re not sleep deprived, you can keep yourself on track by drawing back your bedtime gradually this week. “On the Wednesday before the time change, go to bed 15 minutes earlier,” Breus suggests. “On Thursday, go to bed another 15 minutes earlier, and another 15 the next two nights. That means that by Saturday, you’ll be going to bed an hour early and will have an easier adjustment the next morning.”

Got kids? They need extra help sticking to good sleep habits since they’re less attuned to the hands on the clock and more to their internal timekeepers. “If they get to stay up until 11pm on Friday night, make it 10pm,” says Breus. “Since they’re losing the hour the next day, they need to go to bed earlier so that on Sunday night, they’ll be set up for a good night’s sleep before school on Monday.”

RELATED: The Best and Worst Foods for Sleep

Take stock of sleep habits

This year’s time change coincides with the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week, so it’s a great occasion to give your sleep habits a quick reboot.

That means turning off electronic devices at least and hour before bedtime (the blue light can interfere with slumber), avoiding eating and drinking (particularly caffeine and alcohol) just before bed, and recommitting to a consistent bedtime ritual (which may include a warm bath, gentle stretching or yoga, or jotting down reminders and worries on a pad of paper so you don’t carry them with you into dreamland).

Refresh your workout schedule

“If exercise relaxes you, the extra hour of evening light we get in March gives you more opportunity to get outside to exercise,” Breus says. “Just remember to keep a three-hour window between your sweat session and bedtime so you have plenty of time to wind down.”  On the other hand, if your workouts jazz you up, “you should keep doing them in the morning, time change or not, because you don’t want that energy boost to lead to insomnia,” Breus says.

RELATED: 7 Best White Noise Machines for a Good Night’s Sleep

Stay safe on the roads

This is one day out of the year when Breus advises seeking some flexibility on your morning commute, particularly if you drive. “Ask your boss if you can come in to work a little late the Monday after the time change, or ask if you can work from home.” Research has shown the Monday after the spring time change to be particularly dangerous for drivers relative to other Mondays through the year. “It’s not a bad idea to avoid rush hour on Monday morning when roads will be filled with sleep-deprived people running late for work or school,” Breus says.

Just remember: even though it takes a little work up front to get down with Daylight Saving Time, the payoff—longer spring and summer nights—is always worth it.

 

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Why Impulsive Couples Tend to Be Happy

Photo: Getty Images

There’s a certain type of frequently stereotyped couple that’s, well, a little crazy. They’re the ones who will pack up on a whim and move to a different city, who will adopt a pet on a moment’s notice, and who seem to always be planning a zany vacation.

Such couples tend to have members with high levels of impulsiveness—which, yes, is a psychological construct that can be measured. And as a new paper from University at Buffalo researchers published in the Journal of Research in Personality explains, there are some provocative questions surrounding couples with high levels of impulsivity. Perhaps most important: If both members of the pair are impulsive, is that likely to lead to a good relationship or a bad one?

There’s mixed evidence on this, explains the team led by Dr. Jaye L. Derrick (now a professor at the University of Houston). On the one hand, when both partners are impulsive, one would think that would make things more volatile—more fights, more rash actions, more blowing up over nothing. On the other hand, “previous research has shown that greater compatibility is associated with greater correspondence of goals and preferences, minimizing the risks inherent in relationships”—that is, the benefits of being compatible might wash out the downsides.

To simplify some complicated number-crunching, the researchers took a big data set and crunched the numbers to see what effects impulsivity in one or both partners had on overall relationships status. As they write (emphasis theirs), “We tested three competing hypotheses regarding the effects of being concordant on impulsivity. According to the Volatility Hypothesis, the negative effects seen in couples with only one impulsive partner should be exacerbated, decreasing relationship quality. Conversely, the Compatibility Hypothesis suggests that the more similar partners are in terms of impulsivity [high or low], the better their relationship quality. Similarly, the Incompatibility Hypothesis suggests that the more dissimilar partners are in terms of impulsivity, the worse their relationship quality.”

“[The researchers] found strong evidence in favor of the Compatibility and Incompatibility Hypotheses when considering disinhibition. In other words, whether partners ‘matched’ on low or high disinhibition, they were better off than if they were ‘mismatched.’”

We still need more research to better understand all of this, of course, but it suggests that the vision of two impulsive partners’ worst tendencies leading to something volatile might be a bit off. Rather, it might be the case that even if impulsive couples fight more or are more likely to overreact to minor slights, their shared impulsivity may also lead them to appreciate things in the same way and to adopt shared goals and values—and, perhaps, to blow a couple thousand bucks on a spur-of-the-moment trip to Disneyland.

This article originally appeared on Science of Us.

More from Science of Us:

Inside the Brains of Happily Married Couples

The Reason the Happiest Couples You Know Are Probably Fooling Themselves

Married Couples Have Look-Alike Immune Systems

This Explains Why Men Always Think Women Are Flirting

The Way Couples Tell ‘How We Met’ Stories Speaks Volumes

The Case Against ‘Soul Mates’

Science of Us is a smart but playful window into the latest science on human behavior, with the goal of enlightening, entertaining, and providing useful information that can be applied to everyday life.

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Here’s Why You Should Add More Veggies To Your Diet ASAP

Photo: Getty Images

I honestly can’t remember the last time I ate a meal that didn’t include veggies. For me, they’re the main attraction at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But I’ve worked with plenty of clients who can go days without eating an adequate amount of veggies. They might opt for a little lettuce on a sandwich, or a side of starchy potatoes, but often vegetables tend to be an afterthought.

It isn’t that surprising considering the latest data shows vegetable consumption has dropped over the past five years, despite all the positive buzz about this food group. About half of the total U.S. population eats less than 1.5 cups of vegetables a day. And a whopping 87% don’t reach the recommended minimum goal of 2 to 3 cups a day.

As a Health reader, you may be hitting the daily mark. But if you are falling short—or you have a friend or family member who still doesn’t get why veggies are so important—check out the seven points below. They are all powerful perks of eating more veggies (beyond “they’re good for you”), and will likely inspire you, or the people you love, to become true veg enthusiasts. Even if just one argument resonates, upping veggie intake will lead to all of the benefits below.

RELATED: 13 Veggies You Only Think You Don’t Like

Veggies make you more attractive

You may have heard that eating healthy foods gives skin a “natural glow,” and it’s very true. One University of Nottingham study found when strangers viewed photographs of people’s faces, they rated the people who ate more produce as more attractive than the people who had suntans. Another study from St. Andrews University concluded that people who ate three additional daily portions of produce for six weeks were ranked as better looking than those with lower intakes. Why the beauty benefit? Veggies have been shown to improve circulation, which means more blood flow to the skin’s surface, giving you a glowing appearance. Plus they could ward off signs of aging: research shows certain veggies help keep skin firm and wrinkle-free.

Veggies can help you lose pounds without “dieting”

Research has shown that people who eat primarily plant-based diets tend to weigh less. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that over a five-year period, both men and women who ate more plant foods and fewer animal foods gained the least weight. Researchers have attributed this result, in part, to the antioxidants and fiber in veggies, which have been tied to weight loss. In fact, some studies have observed that the body boosts calorie burn after eating plant-based meals.

Another reason is veggies are both filling and low in calories. For example, two cups of spinach contain less than 15 calories. That’s almost 200 fewer calories than a cup of rice. So rather than filling your plate with go-to staples like pasta and rice, swap in veggies and stick to smaller portions of starches. Cup for cup you’ll shave about 200 calories, without having to eat tiny meals.

RELATED: 10 Healthy Veggies Snack Recipes Packed With Flavor

Veggies help prevent constipation

Let’s face it: If your gut doesn’t feel good, you don’t feel good. People have told me that they’ve cancelled fun plans, lost their sex drive, and called in sick due to the discomfort of being “backed up.” Luckily, veggies can remedy digestive problems. The natural fiber in veggies helps strengthen gastrointestinal muscle (kind of like a work out for your digestive system), and push waste through the body faster. One client, who regulated her digestion by eating more veggies, said the dietary change improved everything from her mood to how her clothes fit, because she was no longer sporting a constipation belly bump.

Veggies help support work outs

For all of the reasons already mentioned, veggies help athletes perform at their best. And some specific veggies have been shown to help boost endurance and support recovery. For example, a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that drinking 16 ounces of organic beetroot juice daily for six days helped men cycle up to 16% longer than they did with a placebo beverage. Meanwhile 100% tomato juice has been found to reduce exercise-induced stress on the body by as much as 84%. And watercress, a peppery green from the mustard family, could effectively counter the wear and tear of exercise, even after one serving. Veggie-loading, anyone?

RELATED: 11 Fitness Foods to Help You Get in Shape Faster

Veggies boost happiness

One recent New Zealand study found that a higher produce intake helped people feel more energized, calmer, and happier—and the effects lasted through the following day. Another study, published in the journal Social Indicators Research, concluded that more produce boosted mental well being. So the next time you’re feeling down, skip the cookies and reach for some veggies and hummus instead.

Veggies lower the risk of chronic diseases

It may seem obvious that eating more veggies lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, but you may not realize how much of an impact small changes can make. One recent study found that eating just over one extra serving of leafy greens a day reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 14%. More plant-based foods also means a higher alkaline diet, which has been tied to lower risk of diabetes.

RELATED: 6 Ways to Sneak Veggies Into Breakfast

Veggies boost everyday energy

Most of my clients say the main thing they hope to improve by changing their diet is their energy level.  And guess what? Veggies can help meet this goal too, especially when they replace refined carbs and processed foods. The fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in veggies improve circulation, immunity, mood, digestive health, blood sugar, and insulin regulation—all of which translate into feeling lighter and more energized. The best part? These results can be pretty immediate. But don’t take my word for it: Try making veggies the star of every meal for one day, and monitor how you feel. Here are a few ideas:

Breakfast: Make a smoothie with spinach or kale, frozen fruit, a protein powder or Greek yogurt, almond butter, and almond milk. Or whip up a veggie-heavy omelet with avocado, and enjoy with a side of fruit.

Lunch: Opt for a salad with lots of greens and veggies, dressed in an olive oil-based vinaigrette. Add salmon, chicken or beans. Top with quinoa or chickpeas.

Dinner: Cook up a stir-fry with lots of colorful veggies, brown rice vinegar, and fresh squeezed citrus juice. Season with fresh ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Serve over a small bed of brown rice, topped with sesame seeds.

If you stick to a daily plan like this one, you’ll eat well over the recommended minimum recommendation for veggies. And I bet you’ll notice a tremendous difference in your energy level—even after just one day.

Meet Cynthia Sass at the Health Total Wellness Weekend at Canyon Ranch April 22-24. For details, go to http://ift.tt/1AYb7dA.

Do you have a question about nutrition? Chat with us on Twitter by mentioning @goodhealth and @CynthiaSass. 
Cynthia Sass is a nutritionist and registered dietitian with master’s degrees in both nutrition science and public health. Frequently seen on national TV, she’s Health’s contributing nutrition editor, and privately counsels clients in New York, Los Angeles, and long distance. Cynthia is currently the sports nutrition consultant to the New York Yankees, previously consulted for three other professional sports teams, and is board certified as a specialist in sports dietetics. Sass is a three-time New York Times best-selling author, and her newest book is Slim Down Now: Shed Pounds and Inches with Real Food, Real Fast. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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This Is Why Bamboo Is the Next Big Thing in Beauty

Photo: Christine Blackburne

The multipurpose plant is not just for pandas! “Bamboo is chock-full of vitamins, making it a super ingredient for your skin and hair,” says New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. Here are a few of our favorite finds.

RELATED: 16 Adult Acne Myths, Busted

Earth Therapeutics Softouch Purifying Complexion Brush ($10, kohls.com)

The soft bristles—infused with bamboo charcoal to help draw out impurities—can be used as a cleansing brush with your favorite face wash.

RELATED: 14 Ways to Age in Reverse

OGX Strength + Body Bamboo Fiber-Full Shampoo ($8, ulta.com)

Bamboo fibers latch onto strands, making your hair appear fuller. Use it continuously to build up volume, or reap the benefits for a day (fibers wash out when you shampoo).

RELATED: 8 Steps to Younger-Looking Skin

Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask ($43, sephora.com)

Rich in amino acids and vitamins C and E, bamboo sap works to strengthen the skin’s barrier while also forming a protective layer to soothe and hydrate.

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Bold and Bright Workout Clothes for When You’re Sick of Basic Black

With temperatures warming up, now is the time to add some bold and colorful athleisure attire to your wardrobe. Wearing fun colors helps motivate you to go outside and get moving, plus it may help brighten your mood. Here are 9 of our favorite vibrant athleisure pieces to rock this spring and beyond.

Saucony Jazz Originals ($40; zappos.com)

These retro kicks are not only lively, they’re also super comfy. And at a killer price, you could score a few pairs in different hues.

Photo: zappos.com

Patagonia Re-Tool Vest ($109; zappos.com)

With temperatures still a bit chilly, you’ll want an added layer for morning walks or when you’re out running errands.

Photo: zappos.com

Om Odyssey Tank ($54; athleta.com)

From yoga to lunch, this top will take you wherever your day ends up with its flattering shape and cheerful tint.

Photo: athleta.com

Division Performance Capri ($98; bandier.com)

Running out the door in the AM? These colorblock pants look great paired with a v-neck when you need a quick outfit—and, obviously, with an activewear top when it’s time to get sweaty.

Photo: bandier.com

Power Shape Sports Bra ($15; target.com)

Keep the girls looking and feeling good with a bra that provides medium support. The bra features a stylish keyhole back, and is available in 14 colors.

Photo: target.com

Luna Convertible Tie Tee ($42; nordstrom.com)

Tie it up for a more fitted look or keep it loose—either way, this top has a soothing purple hue that will have you saying “omm” in no time.

Photo: nordstrom.com

Pounce Hoodie ($45; marika.com)

Trust us, this will be your new go-to hoodie. The hemline goes a little longer in the back for a more covered fit and it has added thumb holes for when you want to get cozy.

Photo: marika.com

Long Sleeve Shirt ($25; target.com)

Sweat-wicking fabric and a sexy dip in the back let you throw this top on after a tough HIIT class and head straight out for happy hour with your friends.

Photo: target.com

High Rise Quest Chaturanga Capri ($64; athleta.com)

Black doesn’t have to be your only basic—try a bold, bright pant in a solid, and depending on your mood, pair it with another eye-catching piece, or tone it down with a black top.

Photo: athleta.com

 

 

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Women in Cardiac Arrest May Be Less Likely to Receive Help

TUESDAY, March 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Women are less likely than men to be helped by bystanders if they suffer cardiac arrest, a new study finds.

“There is a misconception that women don’t have heart problems so they don’t get as much help from the public and they are not treated the same by doctors,” said study author Dr. Nicole Karam. She is an interventional cardiologist at the European Hospital Georges Pompidou in Paris.

Researchers reviewed records of more than 11,400 people who had a cardiac arrest in public areas in and around Paris between 2011 and 2014.

Cardiac arrest, the sudden loss of heart function, is often caused by abnormal heart rhythms. It is not the same as a heart attack.

Even though bystanders were more likely to be present when women suffered cardiac arrest, researchers found only 60 percent of women received basic life support — such CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator — compared with 70 percent of men.

Eighteen percent of women and 26 percent of men reached the hospital alive, the investigators found. The study was released by the European Society of Cardiology on March 8 in recognition of International Women’s Day.

“When a man has a cardiac arrest he is less likely to have witnesses, but they perform CPR more frequently. Probably people are more afraid to do CPR in women because we look fragile. They may also not believe that she is really having a cardiac arrest — even though we found that 40 percent of patients were women,” Karam said in a society news release.

The frequency of heart disease in women is increasing so it’s no longer a “man’s problem,” she added.

“When it does happen, doctors need to manage women just as they would manage men. We can only improve women’s survival from cardiac arrest when doctors, emergency medical services, the public, and women themselves accept that it can happen to anyone regardless of gender,” Karam concluded.

In general, research data and conclusions presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

The American Heart Association has more about cardiac arrest.

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