Cold Weather May Up Risk of Stroke, Severe Heart Attack for Some

MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The onset of cold weather is clearly a bummer for beach lovers, but two new studies suggest that it may actually pose health risks for some.

One investigation, out of Taiwan, has identified a link between cold weather and a heightened risk of stroke for patients with atrial fibrillation, a common problem where the heart beats irregularly.

The finding is based on comparisons of daily temperature records in six regions of Taiwan between 2000 and 2011 and the incidence of ischemic stroke among almost 290,000 patients. Ischemic stroke, the most common type, occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted.

“Our study shows a clear association between temperature and risk of ischaemic stroke in patients with AF,” said Dr. Tze-Fan Chao in a news release from the European Society of Cardiology. Chao is a cardiologist at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan.

The concern: cold weather might promote blood clot formation in the left atrium of the heart, thereby boosting stroke risk among these patients.

The analysis revealed stroke risk rose by 10 percent in spring and nearly 20 percent in winter, as compared with summertime risk.

But the study did not prove that cold weather causes stroke risk to rise.

A second study, out of Canada, found that cold weather increased the risk for the most severe type of heart attack.

Led by researchers from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, that investigation found that with every 20-degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature, the risk for experiencing a very severe type of heart attack known as an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) went up by 7 percent.

“We demonstrated that there is a clear relationship between daily temperature and the risk of STEMI,” study author Dr. Shuangbo Liu, an adult cardiology resident, noted in a university news release. However, the study did not prove that drops in temperature caused heart attack risk to increase.

STEMI heart attacks, the study authors noted, usually result when plaques rupture within coronary arteries. As heart attacks go, they pose the highest risk of death.

“Daily temperature can predict STEMI risk one or two days before it happens,” Liu said. “These findings create an opportunity for future research studies to examine whether there are treatment strategies that can temper the effects of climate on the risk of heart attacks.”

Both Liu and Chao presented their respective findings Saturday at the European Society of Cardiology annual meeting in London. Studies presented at medical meetings are typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

More information

There’s more on STEMI risk at the American Heart Association.

There’s more on atrial fibrillation at the American Heart Association.

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Wireless Pacemaker Shows Promise in Early Trial

MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) –A tiny, wireless heart pacemaker showed promise in early tests and could offer an alternative to conventional, wired pacemakers, researchers report.

Experts say, however, there are still some safety concerns with the new device.

The wireless pacemaker is attached to the heart using a catheter inserted through a leg. Traditional pacemakers use a generator and wires, and they require surgery to be implanted.

The study included 526 patients, average age nearly 76, in the United States, Canada and Australia. During the first six months of use, the wireless pacemaker showed “good safety and reliable function,” according to lead investigator Dr. Vivek Reddy, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, and colleagues.

The study, presented Sunday at the European Society of Cardiology annual meeting in London and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine, was funded by device maker St. Jude Medical Inc., and Reddy has received consulting fees from the company.

After six months, nearly 7 percent of patients in the study had complications connected to the device. About 10 percent of patients with conventional pacemakers have complications, according to the Associated Press.

However, a clinical trial of the wireless pacemaker in Europe was stopped two times last year and again earlier this year after a number of complications occurred. In one case, the pacemaker came loose and lodged in the artery leading to the patient’s lungs, the AP reported.

The wireless pacemaker is approved in Europe, and the results of this new study will likely be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Medtronic makes a similar pacemaker that is also available in Europe, the news service reported.

The new device costs at least twice as much as a conventional pacemaker and lacks some functions that are standard on conventional devices, according to the AP reported.

“It can’t monitor patients remotely, so they have to go to the hospital for checks,” Dr. Jagmeet Singh, a spokesman for the American College of Cardiology, explained to the AP.

More information

The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more about pacemakers.

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I Tried an Ultrasound Wand for My Face

Photo: Courtesy of MIMI/Instagram @jenu_biosciences

Let’s face it; we’ll try anything to up our skin care routine. Whether it’s the latest serum, trending ingredient, or mask—we’re there. So when I heard about JeNu, an ultrasound wand you can use at home that increases the absorption of your skin care by threefold, I knew I had to try.

As a 20-something, anti-aging isn’t a concern of mine yet. But if you’re looking to take your retinol or eye cream to the next level without resorting to Botox, this is it. So how exactly does it work? The wand sends 365,000 pulses of ultrasound energy per second through your skin, essentially vibrating your products into your skin more effectively than your fingers ever could.

To use, simply place a pearl-sized amount of conducting gel ($28, jenu.com) onto the wand, turn it on, and move the wand in small, circular motions on one area of your face. Because it really is magic, the wand automatically shuts off after one minute, making timing truly effortless.

Photo: Courtesy of MIMIchatter.com

The first time I tried the product, I checked my imagination at the door and sheepishly went for my cheeks, but the sky is the limit. You can use the JeNu Ultrasonic Infuser basically anywhere. If you’re concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, concentrate on your under eyes, lips, and forehead. After just a few uses, I can honestly say my skin feels smoother and more hydrated.

If you do the math, adding three to five minutes to your nightly routine is well worth tripling the absorption and effectiveness of your favorite products you already rely on. And if I’m being completely honest, I not only feel legit—like I’m giving myself my very own at-home spa treatment—but I know I’m doing good when I use it.

The JeNu Ultrasonic Infuser retails for $249 and is available at Jenu.com.

This article originally appeared on MIMIchatter.com.

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MIMI Chatter is an endless stream of beauty content. We bring together the must-knows and the how-tos from your favorite sites, beauty influencers, our editors, and YOU.

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Knee, Hip Replacement Surgeries Linked to Heart Risks

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People who have total hip or knee replacement surgery face a greater risk for a heart attack during the first month following the procedure, a new study finds.

The chances of a heart attack were more than eight times greater in the first 30 days after total knee replacement surgery compared to people who didn’t have the procedure. The risk of a heart attack was four times greater during the month following total hip replacement surgery, the study revealed.

But the researchers noted that the findings shouldn’t deter people from having these surgeries.

“Overall, neither knee or hip replacement increases the risk of heart attack over the entire follow-up period in our study, even though the risk was substantially increased shortly after surgery,” he said. “This risk should not keep a patient from having either surgery.”

Indeed, the odds of a heart attack dissipated over time in these patients, the study found. However, the odds of blood clots in veins and lungs increased in the month following surgery and lasted for years after knee or hip replacement was performed, the researchers said.

“Contrary to recently published findings, our study indicates that total joint replacement procedures do not provide an overall protective effect on the risk of heart attack,” said lead researcher Yuqing Zhang, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Boston University School of Medicine.

These findings suggest that the risk for heart attack immediately after surgery may have been underestimated, he said.

Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said, “It is well documented that during and early after a variety of surgical procedures that the risk of a heart attack is elevated.”

An earlier study of patients with osteoarthritis comparing those who did or did not undergo knee or hip replacement suggested that there was lower risk for heart attacks among those having surgery, according to background information in the study. However, heart attacks in the month after surgery were excluded from that study, skewing the results, Fonarow said.

“The reasons for increased risk of heart attack for these and other types of surgery are many, and to date approaches such as use of heart medications, such as aspirin, beta blockers and alpha blockers, have generally not been successful in lowering the risk,” he said.

Zhang said that measures may need to be taken to reduce the risk of a heart attack after surgery.

The findings were published Aug. 31 in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology.

For the study, Zhang and colleagues collected data on nearly 14,000 people over the age of 50 with osteoarthritis who had a total knee replacement. They compared these patients with a similar number of people who didn’t have the procedure. They also collected data on more than 6,000 people over the age of 50 with osteoarthritis who had a total hip replacement and compared them with a similar number of people who didn’t have one.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis; it affects 27 million Americans over 25, according to the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The disorder causes joint pain and stiffness.

In some cases, hip or knee replacement may be a good option for patients with osteoarthritis to relieve pain and stiffness and restore mobility, NIAMS said. As many as 1.8 million hip or knee replacements are performed each year worldwide, background information from the study noted.

Fonarow said that following a heart-healthy lifestyle is the best way to reduce the risk of a heart attack during and after an operation.

“Doctors and patients can take steps to substantially lower the risk of heart attacks by maintaining a healthy blood pressure, cholesterol level, body weight, and by exercising and not smoking,” Fonarow said. “In addition, statins are one of the most effective therapies to minimize risk.”

More information

For more information on joint replacement, visit the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

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Doctors Rarely Discuss Religion With Critically Ill, Study Says

By Emily Willingham
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Whatever your religious beliefs, they’re unlikely to get addressed in the intensive care unit, a new study finds.

Religion or spirituality is important to many people nearing the end of life, but intensive care clinicians rarely talk to patients or their families about those beliefs, the study authors said.

“We found that religious or spiritual considerations were discussed in only 16 percent of family meetings in ICUs and when such concerns arose,” said study author Dr. Douglas White, an associate professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “Health care professionals only rarely asked questions to better understand the patient or family’s religious or spiritual ideas.”

That omission leaves a need unfulfilled, experts said.

“The findings regarding the silence surrounding religion and/or spirituality in ICU conversations are loud and clear,” Dr. Tracy Balboni, associate professor at Harvard Medical School, and her co-authors wrote in an editorial accompanying the study. “The question remains whether we who care for dying persons and their families will learn how to be present and listen.”

The study and editorial were published Aug. 31 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The study authors found that almost 78 percent of people acting on behalf of patients in intensive care said that religion or spirituality was fairly or very important to them.

Yet their beliefs came up in only 40 out of nearly 250 family conferences with medical professionals. In 26 of those 40 cases, the patient’s family member brought up the subject first.

White’s team established their findings by recording these meetings, with permission from everyone involved, and analyzing the conversations.

The study authors found that medical staff tended to respond to expressions of spiritual need in one of four ways. Most often, the response focused on a medical care plan or treatment goal, as in the case of one family member who said she was praying that the patient wouldn’t have to have a tube inserted to breathe.

The physician’s response was highly clinical and did not address the prayer reference: “The long-term question is how to prevent the pancreatitis from happening again. It’s not a question, but it’s gonna be a question pretty soon, I think.”

In 13 of those 40 meetings where spirituality came up, the clinician responded with empathy. One doctor said, “Hang in there. I know it’s hard. I know,” to a loved one who observed “prayer’s not gonna work.”

But in one-quarter of meetings where beliefs were mentioned, the doctor simply responded with a curt “OK” or “Mhmm.”

A handful of physicians, in four of 40 meetings, still didn’t respond directly to the religious need but promised high-quality health care. For instance, one doctor replied, “We’ll do the best with what we’ve got” to the patient surrogate who said, “I know my God’s a big God. And I know He can even guide your guys’ hands to do the right thing.”

White said clinicians might avoid directly addressing these belief expressions for different reasons.

“It may be that clinicians, on average, are less religious than their patients,” he said. “It may be that clinicians do not know how to navigate these conversations or that they were taught to avoid discussion of such topics in favor of prioritizing discussion of medical facts.”

Patients and their family members can take these matters into their own hands, as many did in the study, by bringing up beliefs that are important to them.

“If religious or spiritual considerations are important to patients or their families, it may be important for families to inform clinicians of this and to request the involvement of spiritual care providers,” White said.

And when patients and their loved ones bring up belief needs, the clinicians should pay attention, said White.

“Physicians should take an interest in respectfully understanding more about the patients’ beliefs, such as by asking questions and listening carefully,” he said.

“For example,” White added, “a physician might say, ‘You mentioned you are trusting God. Tell me more about that.’ Then stop and listen.”

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute talks about other end-of-life concerns.

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Naps May Do a Heart Good

MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Taking a midday nap might be beneficial for your heart, new research suggests.

The investigators looked at how an hour-long siesta at noon affected blood pressure among nearly 400 middle-aged people with high blood pressure.

The result: those who napped saw their systolic blood pressure reading (the number on top of the standard blood pressure ratio) drop an average of 5 percent over the course of the day, compared with patients who didn’t rest.

More specifically, the team found that nappers saw their blood pressure readings fall by 4 percent during the day and by 6 percent while sleeping at night.

“Although the mean BP [blood pressure] decrease seems low, it has to be mentioned that reductions as small as 2 mmHg in systolic blood pressure can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by up to 10 percent,” study author Dr. Manolis Kallistrato, a cardiologist at Asklepielon Voula General Hospital in Athens, said in a European Society of Cardiology news release.

Kallistrato and his colleagues presented their findings Saturday at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in London. Research presented at medical meetings is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

In all, the study involved about 200 men and 186 women, with an average age of just over 61.

The finding appeared to hold up even after accounting for a variety of factors that can affect blood pressure, including smoking history, salt, alcohol and coffee intake, and activity routines, the researchers said.

Napping was also linked to a reduction in the size of the left atrium section of the heart, as well as a more than 10 percent drop in so-called “pulse wave velocity” levels. Pulse wave velocity measures the stiffness of arteries.

“These findings suggest that midday sleepers have less damage from high blood pressure in their arteries and heart,” Kallistrato said.

The research can only point to an association, however, and it does not prove that naps will curb heart disease.

According to Kallistrato, “our study shows that not only is midday sleep associated with lower blood pressure, but longer sleeps are even more beneficial… We also found that hypertensive patients who slept at noon were under fewer antihypertensive medications compared to those who didn’t sleep midday.”

More information

There’s more on high blood pressure at the American Heart Association.

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Proposed NYC Law May Trim 54 Calories From Kids’ Fast Food Meals

MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A New York City bill to improve the nutrition of children’s fast food meals could reduce the average calories and improve the nutrition of these meals, a new study claims.

The bill proposed by New York City Council member Benjamin Kallos would require fast food meals marketed to children using toys or other promotional items to include a serving of fruit, vegetables or whole grains.

The meals would have a maximum of 500 calories. They would also have to contain less than: 35 percent of calories from fat; 10 percent of calories from saturated fat; 10 percent of calories from added sugars, and 600 milligrams of salt.

To determine the potential impact of the proposal — similar to one recently enacted in California — researchers reviewed more than 400 receipts for meals that adults bought for children at McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s locations in New York City and New Jersey in 2013 and 2014.

On average, those meals had 600 calories, with 36 percent coming from fat. One-third of the orders were for children’s meals and 98 percent of the children’s meals didn’t meet the nutritional standards in the proposed legislation.

If children’s meals met those standards and the same percentage of those meals were ordered, calorie consumption would fall 9 percent (54 calories per meal), and there would be a 10 percent drop in sodium and a 10 percent decrease in percentage of calories from fat, the study found.

The study was published online Aug. 31 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

“While 54 calories at a given meal is a small reduction, small changes that affect a wide number of people can make a large impact,” said study author Brian Elbel, an associate professor of population health at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

“Passing the bill could be a step in the right direction, though no single policy can singlehandedly eliminate childhood obesity,” he said in a center news release.

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics has more about child nutrition.

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Two Measures of Heart Health May Hint at Seniors’ Independence

MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Seniors with a higher resting heart rate and lower heart rate variability are less able to care for themselves, a new study finds.

Researchers examined data on more than 5,800 people, aged 70 to 82, who had risk factors for heart disease.

The investigators compared resting heart rate and heart rate variability — the beat-to-beat variation in heart rate — with the ability to perform basic daily activities such as grooming, walking and using the toilet. They also looked at more complicated tasks such as doing housework, shopping and taking medicines as prescribed.

Over an average follow-up of three years, seniors with the highest resting heart rate had a nearly 80 percent increased risk of decline in their ability to do basic daily activities, and a 35 percent increased risk of decline in their ability to do more complicated daily tasks.

Those with the lowest heart rate variability had a 25 percent increased risk of decline in both basic and more complicated daily tasks, according to the study. The results were published Aug. 31 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

“Higher resting heart rate and lower heart rate variability were associated with worse functional performance at baseline and with higher risk of future functional decline in older adults at high cardiovascular risk,” wrote Dr. Behnam Sabayan of the department of gerontology and geriatrics at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and colleagues.

“Because functional disability develops gradually, it is important to identify it early and take steps to delay decline, such as exercise, medication and other interventions,” the researchers noted in a journal news release. “This is especially important with an aging population, which could mean rising numbers of people who have problems with daily functioning.”

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Aging offers tips on healthy aging.

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A Fat-Melting 7-Move Workout to Get Maria Menounos’ VMA Look

Credit: Getty Images

With plenty of celebrities on-hand for the MTV Video Music Awards last night—Taylor Swift’s girl squad was out in full force—there was a ton of fitspiration for your next gym sesh. And while we may have tuned in to see host Miley Cyrus’s antics, Maria Menounos’s sexy red carpet body was definitely one of the evening’s highlights.

Health’s April cover girl rocked a formfitting black and navy dress and topknot that showed off her sleek physique, which she attributes to clean living and on-the-go workouts.

Looking to replicate her look? Watch the video below for a fast, fat-blasting fitness routine courtesy of the E! News anchor. Do the circuit two to three times for an awesome sweat session that clocks in under 20 minutes.

RELATED: 9 Fitness Trainers to Follow on Instagram

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3 Ace Tennis Outfits You’ll Love for the U.S. Open

Prints Charming

1. Under Armour UA Fly Fast Visor, $20; amazon.com.

2. New Balance Tournament Racerback, $60; newbalance.com.

3. Lija Match Skort, $60; amazon.com.

4. Monreal London Tampa Sports Bag, $910; saksfifthavenue.com.

5. Adidas Roland Garros Collection by Y-3 Adizero Sneaker, $125; adidas.com.

Court Cutie

1. Lucas Hugh Nordica Balcony Bra, $195; lucashugh.com.

2. Eleven by Venus Love Capri, $42; elevenbyvenus.com.

3. Cortiglia Sonoma Bag, $475; amazon.com.

4. Babolat Propulse BPM All Court, $96; amazon.com.

5. Asics BZ 100 Racquet, $189; asics.com.

6. Wilson “Hope” Tennis Balls, $12; amazon.com.

Retro Cool

1. Monreal London Tennis Grips, $10; masontennis.com.

2. Lululemon Sweat Cuff, $14; lululemon.com.

3. Wilson Women’s Team Dress II, $43; tennis-warehouse.com.

4. Lacoste Headband, $12; lacoste.com.

5. Monreal London Anyone for Tennis Racket Bag, $650; monreallondon.com.

6. Asics Gel-Solution Slam 2 Sneaker, $72; asics.com.

Style Slam

1. Athleta Perforated Run Cap, $20; athleta.com.

2. NikeCourt Bomber Jacket, $130; nike.com.

3. Athleta Blossom Print Chi Tank, $26; athleta.com.

4. Lucas Hugh Technical Knit Shorts, $55; lucashugh.com.

5. Adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Bag, $200; stellamccartney.com.

6. Adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Sneaker, $125; adidas.com.

7. US Open Tennis Balls, $7; amazon.com.

All Photos: Lisa Shin

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