Asthma attacks more common for some women taking the progesterone-only pill

— Study sheds light on why women face higher risk of death from asthma — A major study of around 260,000 women shows that taking the progesterone-only contraceptive pill can increase asthma attacks in some women. The research, published in ERJ Open Research [1], shows an increase in asthma attacks in women with asthma who […]

A healthy diet in childhood is linked to starting menstrual periods later, regardless of BMI or height

First study to link certain diets to age of menarche Eating a healthy diet as a child is linked to girls having their first menstrual period at an older age than those who consumed a less healthy diet, according to a new study published in Human Reproduction [1], one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine […]

Shingles vaccine lowers the risk of heart disease for up to eight years

People who are given a vaccine for shingles have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease, according to a study of more than a million people published in the European Heart Journal. The protective effect of the vaccine lasts for up to eight years and is particularly […]

Thousands of lives could be saved by combining two cholesterol-lowering drugs

Largest study to date suggests patients at high risk of heart attacks and strokes should be treated immediately with a combination of a statin and ezetimibe London, UK: The largest analysis to examine the best way to lower levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol in patients with blocked arteries shows that they should immediately be given a […]

Burden of cardiovascular disease caused by extreme heat in Australia to more than double by 2050

Hot weather is responsible for an average of almost 50,000 years of healthy life lost to cardiovascular disease every year among people in Australia, according to research published in the European Heart Journal. This equates to around 7.3% of the total burden due to illness and death from cardiovascular disease. The study also suggests that […]

Breast cancer death rates will rise in elderly EU patients but fall for all other ages

Experts predict death rates from all cancers for the EU and UK for 2025 Death rates from breast cancer will fall in 2025 in every age group in the EU and the UK apart from in EU patients aged 80 years and older. In these older patients, overall mortality rates from the disease are predicted […]

Mothers of twins face a higher risk of heart disease in the year after birth

The risk of being admitted to the hospital with heart disease is twice as high the year after birth for mothers of twins compared to singleton births, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1] . The risk is even higher in mothers of twins who had a high blood pressure condition during […]

Fatty muscles raise the risk of serious heart disease regardless of overall body weight

People with pockets of fat hidden inside their muscles are at a higher risk of dying or being hospitalised from a heart attack or heart failure, regardless of their body mass index, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. This ‘intermuscular’ fat is highly prized in beef steaks for cooking. However, little […]

Morning coffee may protect the heart better than all-day coffee drinking

People who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a lower overall mortality risk compared to all-day coffee drinkers, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. The research was led by Dr Lu Qi HCA Regents Distinguished Chair and Professor at the Celia Scott […]