Heart Disease & Stroke

People who drink in moderation tend to be better educated and more well off, which increases their odds of being healthy.

That Cabernet Might Not Be Good For Your Health After All

3:40pm March 22, 2016

by Angus Chen

Raise a glass to good health? Probably not. The idea that alcohol is good for you has little scientific purchase, an analysis of previous research finds. The more you drink, the worse off you'll be.

Troy Hodge was only 41 years old when a vessel in his brain burst. "You don't think of things you can't do until you can't do them," he says.

Strokes On The Rise Among Younger Adults

7:33pm February 22, 2016

by Rae Ellen Bichell

Fewer people are having strokes now than decades ago. But that improvement seems to be mostly among the elderly. Young people are actually having more strokes, partly because of the rise in obesity.

Queue Listen Now

Nanette Hoogslag/Getty Images/Ikon Images

Can Dementia Be Prevented? Education May Bolster Brain Against Risk

5:48pm February 11, 2016

by Nancy Shute

The risk of getting dementia has been dropping for decades. Why? Research suggests education's effect on the brain and good cardiovascular health help.

Cholesterol may play a special role in raising the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with sleep apnea.

Cholesterol Provides A Clue About Heart Risks From Sleep Apnea

4:00pm January 06, 2016

by Angus Chen

Breathing interruptions while sleeping can triple the risk for cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks. But why? Research suggests apnea may predispose blood vessels to damage.

Quite a few employers now offer specialized insurance that pays a lump sum to help cover high deductibles triggered by treatment for serious illnesses.

Are Health Plans That Pay A Lump Sum For Critical Illnesses Worth It?

5:16pm January 05, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Many employers offer workers specialized insurance coverage for serious diseases, such as cancer, that kicks in with a big payment to help cover high deductibles for care.

Health & Safety

How Sound Reveals The Invisible Within Us

3:31pm December 29, 2015

Microscopes illuminate the tiny. But sound? Scientists didn't really see it as all that important, until an amazing invention came along that opened new worlds: the stethoscope.

For people 50 and older at a high risk for heart disease or stroke, an aggressive approach to treatment has advantages. But there are risks, too.

Aggressive Lowering Of Blood Pressure Carries Risks As Well As Benefits

8:10pm November 09, 2015

by Scott Hensley

The group of patients that was treated more intensively did 25 percent better than the one that was treated to the traditional target. But some side effects nearly doubled with intensive treatment.

Americans Are Using More Prescription Drugs; Is Obesity To Blame?

11:03am November 03, 2015

by Alison Kodjak

We're a nation of legal drug-takers, with 59 percent of adults using at least one prescription drug. That's up from 50 percent 10 years ago. Increased rates of obesity may be the cause.

Health & Safety

Pruning Back Prescriptions For Better Health

11:27am September 30, 2015

by John Henning Schumann

There comes a time when a drug that once helped a patient may be unnecessary or even harmful. Figuring out when to cut back is difficult, but the potential benefits are substantial.

Texting gentle reminders on heart-healthy habits helped people make real changes.

Text Reminders Help People Lower Cholesterol, Blood Pressure

4:45pm September 22, 2015

by Lynne Shallcross

Plain old text messages — you know, the ones you don't need a smartphone to receive — helped people with heart disease make changes like smoking less and exercising more.