Hidden fat deposits packed around abdominal organs like the stomach, intestines and liver could be increasing people’s risk of heart disease, a new study says. Excessive amounts of this hidden fat — also called visceral fat — is tied to faster aging of the heart, researchers report in the European Heart Journal. This fat can’t be seen from the outside, and some people can have large amounts of visceral fat even if they have a healthy weight, researchers noted. “Our research shows that ‘bad’ fat, hidden deep around the organs, accelerates aging of the heart,” senior researcher Dr. Declan O’Regan, a professor at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences at Imperial College London, said in a news release. “But some types of fat could protect against aging — specifically fat around the hips and thighs in women,” he added. For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 21,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a large-scale health research project taking place in the United Kingdom. MRI scans were used to detect fat deposits in participants’ bodies, and to examine their heart and blood vessels. Each person was given a “heart age” — the apparent age of their heart and circulatory system given signs of wear and tear. Results showed that faster heart aging was linked to having more visceral fat deep inside the organs.  “While…  read on >  read on >

Hidden fat deposits packed around abdominal organs like the stomach, intestines and liver could be increasing people’s risk of heart disease, a new study says. Excessive amounts of this hidden fat — also called visceral fat — is tied to faster aging of the heart, researchers report in the European Heart Journal. This fat can’t be seen from the outside, and some people can have large amounts of visceral fat even if they have a healthy weight, researchers noted. “Our research shows that ‘bad’ fat, hidden deep around the organs, accelerates aging of the heart,” senior researcher Dr. Declan O’Regan, a professor at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences at Imperial College London, said in a news release. “But some types of fat could protect against aging — specifically fat around the hips and thighs in women,” he added. For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 21,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a large-scale health research project taking place in the United Kingdom. MRI scans were used to detect fat deposits in participants’ bodies, and to examine their heart and blood vessels. Each person was given a “heart age” — the apparent age of their heart and circulatory system given signs of wear and tear. Results showed that faster heart aging was linked to having more visceral fat deep inside the organs.  “While…  read on >  read on >

Tight control over blood pressure is not only good for patients, but is also cost-effective health care, a new study says. Controlling blood pressure to below 120 systolic prevents more heart attacks, strokes, cases of heart failure and other heart-related health problems, compared with higher targets, researchers report in the Annals of Internal Medicine. It’s also cost-effective, with tight blood pressure control increasing treatment expenses only slightly, researchers found. “This study should give patients at high cardiovascular risk and their clinicians more confidence in pursuing an intensive blood pressure goal,” lead researcher Karen Smith, an investigator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said in a news release. “Our findings suggest the intensive less than 120 mm/Hg target prevents more cardiovascular events and provides good value, and this holds true even when measurements aren’t perfect,” she said. Current blood pressure guidelines define high blood pressure at 130 systolic or higher. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure within blood vessels during a heartbeat. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 systolic, and blood pressure between 120 and 129 systolic is considered elevated, according to the American Heart Association. For the new study, researchers combined data gathered between 2013 and 2018 by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the groundbreaking Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), and other published studies. The team used this data to…  read on >  read on >

Tight control over blood pressure is not only good for patients, but is also cost-effective health care, a new study says. Controlling blood pressure to below 120 systolic prevents more heart attacks, strokes, cases of heart failure and other heart-related health problems, compared with higher targets, researchers report in the Annals of Internal Medicine. It’s also cost-effective, with tight blood pressure control increasing treatment expenses only slightly, researchers found. “This study should give patients at high cardiovascular risk and their clinicians more confidence in pursuing an intensive blood pressure goal,” lead researcher Karen Smith, an investigator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said in a news release. “Our findings suggest the intensive less than 120 mm/Hg target prevents more cardiovascular events and provides good value, and this holds true even when measurements aren’t perfect,” she said. Current blood pressure guidelines define high blood pressure at 130 systolic or higher. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure within blood vessels during a heartbeat. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 systolic, and blood pressure between 120 and 129 systolic is considered elevated, according to the American Heart Association. For the new study, researchers combined data gathered between 2013 and 2018 by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the groundbreaking Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), and other published studies. The team used this data to…  read on >  read on >

For the first time, people can get their annual flu vaccine without leaving the comfort of home. FluMist, a nasal spray flu vaccine made by AstraZeneca, is now available for at-home use through a service called FluMist Home, the company announced. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved FluMist in 2003 for use in doctors’ offices and pharmacies. Last year, the FDA expanded approval, making it the first flu vaccine that can be self-administered, CBS News said. FluMist Home allows customers to order the same nasal spray available at clinics, shipped directly to their homes. It will be offered in 34 states during the 2025-2026 flu season. The cost of FluMist is covered by most commercial insurance, though there is an $8.99 shipping and processing fee, according to the online ordering platform. To order, customers provide personal information, medical history, insurance details and a payment. FluMist is approved for people ages 2 to 49. Caregivers should administer the vaccine to children ages 2 to 17, according to the FDA. The vaccine should not be used in people with severe allergies to its ingredients, eggs or other flu vaccines, according to the company. Full safety information and administration instructions are provided on the product website. FluMist Home will launch in these states for the 2025-26 flu season: Alabama Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia…  read on >  read on >

For the first time, people can get their annual flu vaccine without leaving the comfort of home. FluMist, a nasal spray flu vaccine made by AstraZeneca, is now available for at-home use through a service called FluMist Home, the company announced. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved FluMist in 2003 for use in doctors’ offices and pharmacies. Last year, the FDA expanded approval, making it the first flu vaccine that can be self-administered, CBS News said. FluMist Home allows customers to order the same nasal spray available at clinics, shipped directly to their homes. It will be offered in 34 states during the 2025-2026 flu season. The cost of FluMist is covered by most commercial insurance, though there is an $8.99 shipping and processing fee, according to the online ordering platform. To order, customers provide personal information, medical history, insurance details and a payment. FluMist is approved for people ages 2 to 49. Caregivers should administer the vaccine to children ages 2 to 17, according to the FDA. The vaccine should not be used in people with severe allergies to its ingredients, eggs or other flu vaccines, according to the company. Full safety information and administration instructions are provided on the product website. FluMist Home will launch in these states for the 2025-26 flu season: Alabama Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia…  read on >  read on >