A Consistent Bedtime Is Good for Your Heart

In the age of TV marathons, sticking to a consistent bedtime can be a challenge, but new research shows it could help reduce your risk of heart problems.

For the study, the researchers assessed the link between a regular bedtime and resting heart rate, and found that people who went to bed later or earlier than normal had a higher rest...

Mental Health Problems After First Baby Reduce Likelihood of More Children: Study

Women who develop mental health problems after delivering their first child are much less likely to have more, a Danish study finds.

But this is not the case among women whose first child died.

For the study, researchers analyzed data on more than 414,000 women in Denmark who had a first live birth between 1997 and 2015. Abou...

ER Workers' Stress May Affect Patient Care: Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has added to already high stress levels in emergency rooms, a social psychologist says.

"ER providers are on the front line of this pandemic, and stress, anxiety and anger are increasing," said Linda Isbell, a professor of psychology at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

"As we all face anxiety about...

AHA News: Amid Coronavirus Crisis, Exercise Caution When Exercising Outdoors

Even as government officials warn us to "stay home, stay safe" during the coronavirus pandemic, people are flocking to parks, trails and sidewalks to walk and bike away their cabin fever.

That might seem like a total contradiction. But according to health experts, it can be a healthy choice – as long as you exercise caution whil...

Coronavirus Cases Hit 1 Million Worldwide, US Officials Urge Many Americans to Wear Face Masks

As the number of coronavirus cases worldwide swept past 1 million and the United States saw its death count rise beyond 6,200 on Friday, the Trump administration said it will announce new guidance that urges many Americans to wear face coverings to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The recommendation is believed to apply only to those who l...

White House to Advise Face Mask Use: What's the Evidence They Are Protective?

The Trump Administration is expected to announce guidelines that will recommend many Americans wear face masks when out in public, to curb transmission of the novel coronavirus.

The recommendation will apply to those living in hard-hit areas only, and it is not mandatory, the Associated Press reported.

Experts say ther...

Pregnant Women Need to Guard Against Coronavirus

Pregnant women with COVID-19 may be susceptible to pregnancy complications, an obstetrician-gynecologist says.

Pregnant women have physiologic changes in their chests that may make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, according to Justin Brandt. He's assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of ...

Can Food From an Infected Cook Give You COVID-19?

Even if your takeout dinner was prepared by a cook who has COVID-19, there's little need to worry about your risk of infection, according to an expert in viruses.

"Restaurant kitchens can be one of the safest places in this coronavirus outbreak because they already practice strict hygiene protocols to avoid foodborne illness," said Pa...

Coronavirus Hangs Around Even After Symptoms Subside

Even after people with mild cases of COVID-19 feel better, new research shows that half still have the virus for up to eight days after symptoms are gone.

That's the conclusion of a small international study of 16 COVID-19 patients in China. The researchers took several throat swabs from all of them.

"The most significant ...

Asthma, COPD Raise Odds for Severe COVID-19, Lung Experts Warn

People with asthma and other lung diseases are at increased risk for serious complications from COVID-19, caution experts from the American Lung Association.

"Everyone's health is at risk from COVID-19, and those living with a lung disease or who are immunocompromised may be more vulnerable to the impacts of the virus," said Dr. Albert...

How Pets Can Be True Lifesavers for Seniors

Having a furry, fluffy or feathered friend can have a profound effect on seniors' mental health, possibly even helping prevent some suicides, new research suggests.

In a group of 35 older people who were pet owners, more than one-third said they were "actively suicidal" or "significantly traumatized," but their pets gave them a reason...

Caring for Dementia Patient During Pandemic? Try These Stress-Busting Tips

The coronavirus pandemic will put extra stress on caregivers of loved ones with dementias, so the Alzheimer's Foundation of America offers some advice.

"Reducing stress is always important for caregivers, and even more so now," said Charles Fuschillo Jr., the foundation's president and CEO.

"Disruptions in daily routines, soci...

A Pill Left Out, a Child's Life Lost: Maisie's Story a Warning to All Adults

Nine-month-old Maisie Gillan spent just a few moments crawling around on a neighbor's floor, near the end of a dinner party meant to welcome her family to the community.

The next morning her parents woke to discover Maisie cold and lifeless. Paramedics responded quickly but couldn't revive the baby.

Police later figured out M...

Amid COVID-19 Crisis, Blood Donor Restrictions Eased for Gays

America is in urgent need of blood donations during the coronavirus pandemic, so the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it will relax donor restrictions placed on gay and bisexual men and others.

Specifically, the FDA has changed the abstinence period required for gay and bisexual blood donors from 12 months to 3 months. <...

Vitamin D Might Aid Seniors' Recovery From Hip Fracture: Study

After a broken hip, seniors who have sufficient vitamin D have better odds of walking, a new study finds.

The study suggests that low levels of vitamin D could limit walking, according to researcher Sue Shapses, a professor of nutritional sciences at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.

Nearly 300 patients undergoing h...

With 3D Printer, N.Y. Hospital Converts Sleep Apnea Machines Into Ventilators

As COVID-19 pushes American hospitals to the breaking point, intensive care units are finding creative ways to deal with a looming shortage of lifesaving mechanical ventilators.

New York-Presbyterian Hospital last week began splitting single-use ventilators into machines that can serve two patients at a time. Now another New York-based...

Newbies More Apt to Have Bad Reaction to Marijuana: Study

Common bad reactions to marijuana include coughing fits, anxiety and paranoia, but regular users are less likely to have problems than occasional users, a new study finds.

"There's been surprisingly little research on the prevalence or frequency of various adverse reactions to cannabis and almost no research trying to predict who is mo...

Don't Worry About U.S. Food Supply, FDA Says

The United States remains a land of plenty even in the era of coronavirus, U.S. federal health officials said Thursday.

State-by-state lockdowns may have created a rush on certain items in grocery stores -- toilet paper, dry yeast, flour, rice, dried beans -- but the food supply chains remain strong and shelves should soon be restocked...

'Stay at Home' Orders Are Stressing U.S. Families, Survey Shows

In the new coronavirus reality, the family home has become the nexus of everything -- school, day care, work, social life -- and it's stressing out a lot of American parents, a new report suggests.

The report, in which almost 300 parents of kids under 12 in the United States were surveyed, found that since the pandemic was declared, 83...

Mindfulness a Powerful Tool for Aging

Mindfulness may explain why many older people feel their life has gotten better with age, a new study suggests.

Mindfulness is being aware of your experiences and paying attention to the present moment in a purposeful, receptive and non-judgmental way, and it can help reduce stress and promote good mental health, according to the Flin...