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Seek Help Fast If You Have Heart Attack Symptoms on Vacation

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Headed out on vacation? Beware of heart attack: It’s the leading cause of natural death among travelers. If you have heart attack symptoms on the road, getting immediate medical care can improve your odds of long-term survival, according to a study presented Saturday at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, in Malaga, Spain. “If you are traveling and experience heart attack symptoms — such as pain in the chest, throat, neck, back, stomach or shoulders — that lasts for more than 15 minutes, call an ambulance without delay,” study author Dr. Ryota Nishio said in a society news release. “Our study shows that long-term outcomes after a heart attack while traveling can be good if you get prompt treatment,” added Nishio, who works in the cardiology department at Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital in Izunokuni, Japan. For the study, the researchers examined data on more than 2,500 patients who had a heart attack and rapid treatment with a stent (percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI) between 1999 and 2015 at the hospital. It’s located on the Izu Peninsula, a popular tourist destination near Mount Fuji, and a regional center for PCI. Patients who were traveling tended to be younger than other patients, and had a higher prevalence of heart attacks due to a blockage in a major artery to the heart, the investigators found. The researchers…  read on >

Seek Help Fast If You Have Heart Attack Symptoms on Vacation

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Headed out on vacation? Beware of heart attack: It’s the leading cause of natural death among travelers. If you have heart attack symptoms on the road, getting immediate medical care can improve your odds of long-term survival, according to a study presented Saturday at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, in Malaga, Spain. “If you are traveling and experience heart attack symptoms — such as pain in the chest, throat, neck, back, stomach or shoulders — that lasts for more than 15 minutes, call an ambulance without delay,” study author Dr. Ryota Nishio said in a society news release. “Our study shows that long-term outcomes after a heart attack while traveling can be good if you get prompt treatment,” added Nishio, who works in the cardiology department at Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital in Izunokuni, Japan. For the study, the researchers examined data on more than 2,500 patients who had a heart attack and rapid treatment with a stent (percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI) between 1999 and 2015 at the hospital. It’s located on the Izu Peninsula, a popular tourist destination near Mount Fuji, and a regional center for PCI. Patients who were traveling tended to be younger than other patients, and had a higher prevalence of heart attacks due to a blockage in a major artery to the heart, the investigators found. The researchers…  read on >

Health Tip: Dietary Fat Finds

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(HealthDay News) — Some diets encourage fats and some advocate against them. But which is healthiest? Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health agree that there is no universally optimal amount of fat consumption. For most people who want to maintain a healthy weight and lower risk of disease, the focus should not be on fats. Instead, researchers suggest that diets low in sugar and refined grains should be emphasized.

Bad Reaction From a New Tattoo? Here’s What to Do

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The biggest worry a person usually has when they’re getting a tattoo is how it will look. But sometimes, getting inked can lead to something worse than bad body art, an expert warns. If you suffer skin problems after getting a tattoo, see a dermatologist and alert the tattoo artist, said Dr. Marie Leger, a dermatologist in New York City. About 10 percent of people have a complication after a tattoo. Common ones include infections, allergic reactions and worsening of an existing skin condition, such as psoriasis or eczema, according to Leger. Another potential complication is sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that can affect the skin and other organs. The first sign may be bumps at the tattoo site. Infections are most common within the first few days or weeks of tattooing. They can cause redness and pain around the site of the tattoo (not just on the actual ink), as well as drainage, crusting and pus, Leger said. “If you experience these symptoms after getting a tattoo, see a doctor right away, because infections can be quite serious,” she said in an American Academy of Dermatology news release. Infections can be caused by contaminated ink, unsterile application or improper aftercare, Leger explained. Allergies and sarcoidosis may occur months to years later. Signs include itching, bumps, scaling, periodic swelling or the tattoo becoming raised. If you…  read on >

Happiness in Marriage May Rest in Your Genes

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Your long-term happiness in marriage may hinge on the genes you and your partner bring to the union. A Yale University study suggests marital bliss could be influenced by a genetic variation that affects oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone” that is involved in social bonding. “This study shows that how we feel in our close relationships is influenced by more than just our shared experiences with our partners over time,” said lead author Joan Monin, an associate professor in the Yale School of Public Health. “In marriage, people are also influenced by their own and their partner’s genetic predispositions,” she said in a Yale news release. The study included 178 married couples ranging in age from 37 to 90. The participants were asked about their feelings of marital security and satisfaction, and each provided a saliva sample for genetic testing. When at least one partner had a genetic variation known as the GG genotype within the oxytocin gene receptor, the couple had greater satisfaction and feelings of security in their marriage compared with couples with different genotypes, the researchers found. Previous studies have linked the oxytocin receptor variant, OXTR rs53576, to personality traits such as emotional stability, empathy and sociability. This study is believed to be the first to examine its role in marital satisfaction. The Yale researchers also found that people with the GG…  read on >

Exercise Secrets to a Better Bottom

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If you’re bored with doing squats for a better bottom, it’s time to vary your workout. For a study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), scientists at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse evaluated popular exercises for the glutes to find the ones that are most effective. Popular Glutes Strength-Training Exercises Four-way hip extensions Horizontal leg press Lunges Quadruped hip extensions Single leg squats Step-ups Traditional squats Vertical leg press The traditional squat is still a great choice, but not the only one. In fact, if you want to target the hamstrings along with the glutes, quadruped hip extensions and step-ups are very effective. So are lunges, single-leg squats and four-way hip extensions. To get started, the experts at ACE recommend a super set of quadruped hip extensions followed by the step-ups. First, you do both exercises with one leg, and then you repeat them with the other leg, without any rest in between. For the hip extensions, get on hands and knees and contract your abs a bit to stabilize your core. Next, keeping the right knee bent at a 90-degree angle, lift your right leg until your thigh and the sole of your foot are parallel with the floor. With control, return to the starting position. Do eight to 12 reps. Immediately move to the step-ups. Stand behind a 15-inch-high step with…  read on >

Cooking With Whole Grains

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When it comes to getting the best taste and the greatest nutritional value from grains, keep it whole grain. Quinoa, oats, short-grain brown rice and wild rice, polenta (which is made from corn) and barley are most nutritious in their whole, unprocessed form. That’s because the bran is still intact, and the bran is where most of the minerals, vitamins and plenty of fiber reside. Processed and packaged foods are rarely made from 100 percent whole grains. Think of them as empty carbs with lots of preservatives, so switch to these flavorful grains to load up on nutrition, including essential minerals and even some protein. Tip: Don’t be fooled by the word “multi-grain” on packages — this does not mean that a variety of or even any whole grains were used. Brown rice is high in magnesium and tryptophan, barley is high in selenium and tryptophan, and steel cut oats are high in manganese and zinc. These grains are simple to prepare. Bring water to a boil, add your grains and cook on low heat for about 45 minutes until tender. Remove from the heat and keep covered for 5 minutes to allow the grains to fluff, then stir with a fork. Quinoa is another excellent choice, high in iron and manganese, plus it’s quicker to cook than the other grains. Rinse a cup of…  read on >

Seniors With UTIs Need Antibiotics ASAP, Study Says

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For older adults with a urinary tract infection (UTI), antibiotic treatment should begin immediately to prevent serious complications, a new British study finds. Delaying or withholding antibiotics in this age group can increase the risk of bloodstream infection (sepsis) and death, researchers reported Feb. 27 in the BMJ. The findings suggest that doctors should “consider early prescription of antibiotics for this vulnerable group of older adults, in view of their increased susceptibility to sepsis following UTI and despite a growing pressure to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use,” Paul Aylin and colleagues said in a journal news release. Aylin is a professor of epidemiology and public health at Imperial College London. UTI is the most common bacterial infection in older patients. But concerns about antibiotic resistance have led to reductions in antibiotic use in England, the study authors noted. For the study, the researchers analyzed data on more than 300,000 urinary tract infections among more than 150,000 patients aged 65 and older, between 2007 and 2015. Of those patients, 87 percent were prescribed antibiotics on the day of diagnosis, 6 percent received a prescription within seven days, and 7 percent did not take antibiotics, according to the report. The patients were tracked for 60 days after their diagnosis. After accounting for other factors, the investigators found that sepsis and death rates were much higher among patients with…  read on >

Could Invasive Lung Cancer Biopsies Be Replaced by Blood Tests?

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A blood test may one day replace invasive tissue biopsies as a pain-free way to confirm lung cancer and guide treatment, new research suggests. According to investigators, the test is as effective as a tissue biopsy in diagnosing advanced non-small cell lung cancer, by far the leading form of the leading cancer killer. The so-called “liquid biopsy” can also quickly identify tumor gene mutations that match targeted drug therapies — potentially boosting patient survival. The new findings present “a convincing argument for use of the liquid biopsy as a first option for molecular testing in advanced non-small cell lung cancer,” said lead researcher Dr. Vassiliki Papadimitrakopoulou. She’s professor of thoracic head and neck medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. As the Houston team explained, if a CT scan suggests lung cancer, patients are typically asked to undergo a surgical tissue biopsy. It’s an expensive, invasive procedure that comes with risks and inconvenience to patients. Seeking a way around these procedures, numerous companies have been developing blood-based diagnostic tests for lung cancer. The new study focuses on one such test, called Guardant360, developed by Guardant Health, the company that funded the new study. Blood tests like Guardant360 rely on traces of tumor DNA in blood for clues to the presence of lung cancer and the best way to treat it. In…  read on >

Health Tip: Seasonal Skin Care

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(HealthDay News) — Everyone is susceptible to dry skin during winter. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier, but harsh winters can irritate anyone’s skin, the American Academy of Dermatology says. To help dry skin in the cold weather, you can: Use an oil-based moisturizer. Oil creates a protective layer on the skin. Wear sunscreen. The winter sun and snow glare can dry out your skin. Hook up a humidifier. More moisture in the air will rehydrate your body. Take warm, not hot baths. Hot baths break down important barriers in the skin that keep it hydrated.