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Research shows a significant proportion of patients who suffer a stroke due to carotid artery narrowing can be treated with medication only. A risky carotid artery operation may then no longer be necessary for this group of patients. People with carotid artery stenosis are operated on after they have had a stroke. Thirty years ago, large studies showed that an operation in which a narrowing in the carotid artery is removed reduced the risk of a new stroke. Since then, the medications these patients receive alongside their surgery—such as blood thinners, medication for cholesterol and high blood pressure—have improved significantly....

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 combination of a statin and another drug called ezetimibe, rather than statins alone. This could prevent thousands of deaths a year from heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. The meta-analysis of 108,353 patients in 14 studies who were at very high risk of suffering heart attack or stroke, or who had already suffered one of these cardiovascular events shows that when ezetimibe was combined with a high dose statin to reduce levels...

Weed users are much more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening heart condition than people who don't indulge, a new study says.Adults under 50 are more than six times as likely to suffer a heart attack if they use marijuana, compared to non-users, researchers reported Tuesday in the journal JACC Advances.They also have a dramatically higher risk of stroke, heart failure and heart-related death, researchers said."Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians' workup to understand patients' overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes," lead researcher Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, a clinical instructor at...

Researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) found that people with type A blood are more likely to experience an early-onset ischemic stroke — caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain — while those with blood type O have a lower risk. “The number of people with early strokes is rising,” said Dr. Steven J. Kittner, co-principal investigator of the study and neurologist with the UMD Medical Center. “These people are more likely to die from the life-threatening event, and survivors potentially face decades with disability. Despite this, there is little research on the causes of early...

The loss of friendship is measurable, and can be seen in every age group and demographic -- although working-class Americans look to be hardest hit.. Friendship in America is in steep decline: We’re more disconnected from each other than ever, and the gulf between us is only growing. Does it matter? It does. We know that friendships are good for us. People with stronger social interactions live longer than those without, according to a study published last week in the UK’s Nature Medicine journal. Living with a partner, for example, is as good for physical health as regular exercise, researchers...

Turmeric has been a healing remedy in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It comes from the rhizome (root) of the Curcuma longa plant and has a warm, earthy flavor. Turmeric's active compound, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant with many health benefits, from soothing joint pain to enhancing digestion and immunity. 1. Arthritis (Joint Pain) Arthritis is a broad term that describes over 100 conditions that cause joint inflammation, pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, typically develops due to age-related "wear and tear." Other types, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic...

Healing the gut may be the key to improving long-term recovery in stroke patients, scientists have found. The team demonstrated how a drug that was effective at protecting the brain in the immediate aftermath of a stroke failed to prevent long-term cognitive impairment when applied only to the brain. The same drug, when applied to the gut, reduced impairment significantly. What happens in the gut after a stroke? Within mere moments of a stroke, patients experience a cascade of symptoms, many of which are immediately apparent, Sohrabji said. Less apparent, is the damage being done to key structures in the...

People with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have a stroke could benefit from blood thinning treatments, known as anticoagulants, at an earlier stage than is currently recommended, finds a study. The study found that it is safe and effective to give blood thinning treatments to AF stroke patients within four days of them having a stroke, rather than waiting for up to 14 days as has previously been recommended. Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disturbance that affects many people as they get older. It results in an irregular heartbeat, which can lead to a clot forming inside the heart. This...

One-minute, short bursts of high-intensity interval training for 19 minutes may be more effective for improving fitness among people six months or more after a stroke than traditional, 20–30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise sessions, according to research. The multi-site trial took place between September 2018 and March 2024 and included stroke survivors between six months to 5 years after a stroke. Researchers randomly grouped participants to receive either three days per week of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training or three days per week of 12 weeks of traditional moderate exercise sessions. The high-intensity interval training protocol involved ten 1-minute...

A longtime Maryland Democrat and one of the longest-serving members in Congress survived a stroke over the weekend his team announced Tuesday. Rep. Steny Hoyer, 85, has represented Maryland in Congress since first being elected in 1981. 'On Sunday night, August 11, Rep. Steny Hoyer experienced a mild ischemic stroke and sought medical treatment,' Hoyer spokesperson Margaret Mulkerrin wrote in a statement. 'Mr. Hoyer has responded well to treatment and has no lingering symptoms. He expects to resume his normal schedule next week.' 'Mr. Hoyer’s wife and family extend their deepest thanks to his medical team,' the statement concluded.

A California doctor has tragically died “suddenly” after suffering a stroke at just 32 years old. Dr. Maddie Giegold’s tragic sudden death came just five days before completing her residency. According to reports, the young doctor was “fully vaccinated” for Covid and received an mRNA “booster” shot shortly before she died. “I’ve never really met anyone else like her, she’s incredibly goofy,” said friend Hannah Trautner. Trautner said Giegold would do anything to make people laugh and inevitably become her friend. Those closest to Maddie say she loved cats, trail running, and sunflowers, and was described as being very active....

Video: Biden Passes the Torch, Vows To Cure Cancer in Slurred Primetime Address

Nearly a week ago President Joe Biden abruptly canceled a speaking engagement in Las Vegas after mingling with voters at a local Mexican restaurant... In light of the Biden administration's poor record of truth-telling when it comes to POTUS' medical condition, many people questioned whether that COVID diagnosis was a convenient way to get Biden out of the spotlight for a few days, or if there was more to the story. Based on the reporting of Charlie Kirk and Jordan Schachtel, portions of which were confirmed independently by RedState's Brittany Sheehan, and exclusive details provided to RedState by a well-placed...

Periodontitis, an inflammation of the structures supporting the teeth, significantly increases the risk of stroke in people under 50 years of age who do not have any known predisposing causes. A study indicates that the more the inflammation had progressed in the mouth, the more serious the stroke. In the focus were individuals who had a stroke between the ages of 20 and 50. The study found that periodontitis was significantly more common among stroke patients. Not only did periodontitis increase the risk of stroke, its severity affected that of the stroke too. According to the study, dental procedures carried...

A new trial reveals that sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, enhances blood flow to the brain and improves the function of brain blood vessels in patients at a heightened risk of vascular dementia. This study marks a potentially pivotal step in the fight against this debilitating condition. Dr. Alastair Webb said, "This is the first trial to show that sildenafil gets into the blood vessels in the brain in people with this condition, improving blood flow and how responsive these blood vessels are. The significance of this research lies in its potential to transform the treatment and prevention of vascular...

It’s time for me to do something that pundits seldom do: Flat out admit I was wrong. This is a rarity in the commentating world. But boy, was I. Here goes: I was wrong about Sen. John Fetterman. Writing in The Post on Valentine’s Day in 2023, I opined that Pennsylvania’s new US Senator lacked the mental and physical abilities needed to serve. According to reports, he couldn’t understand voices, had trouble walking and generally wasn’t up to the job. The mainstream press rallied to protect him (there was a D next to his name, after all), but even a...

Managing a stroke victim's blood sugar levels after they receive powerful clot-busting drugs might help them survive their health crisis, a new trial finds. People with high blood sugar levels were more likely to suffer a potentially deadly brain bleed after clot-busters reopened their blocked brain arteries, researchers found. The risk was particularly high in older patients with more severe strokes. "These data suggest that more focus and research is needed on the management of high blood sugar in the treatment of stroke patients, particularly those with higher risk, more severe strokes," said Dr. Andrew Southerland. For the study, researchers...

Each year about 15 million people globally experience a stroke. How quickly therapy is administered and its effectiveness has a large effect on a person’s recovery after a stroke. Researchers from the Heart Research Institute in Australia have found that a natural chemical found in broccoli may help both prevent and treat stroke. Every year, about 15 million people around the world experience a stroke — a cardiovascular condition that occurs when blood and oxygen are unable to get to the brain. Depending on the type of stroke, the main treatmentTrusted Source is either using medications to break down blood...

People at risk should be tested for atrial fibrillation every time they attend a health appointment. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder globally. The number of adults aged 55 years and older living with the condition in the European Union is expected to more than double from 8.8 million in 2010 to 17.9 million by 2060. People with atrial fibrillation are up to five times more likely to have a stroke than their healthy peers. The disorder often has no symptoms and remains undiagnosed until a stroke occurs. The consortium identified the ability of atrial fibrillation screening...

Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine (GDLM), a group of organic compounds that derive from the Ginkgo biloba plant, can improve cognitive function in patients who recently experienced an acute ischemic stroke, according to new research. During a stroke, impaired blood flow to the brain results in oxygen deprivation and an inflammatory response which ultimately leads to neuronal cell death. Consequently, cognitive impairment is common in stroke patients. GDLM could have the potential as such a treatment. Ginkgo biloba, from which it derives, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular disease, and GDLM itself has been shown to inhibit...