Aortic Valve Disease Does Its Damage Slowly

SATURDAY, April 20, 2019 -- Aortic valve stenosis is a form of heart valve disease that can take many years to develop into a life-threatening problem, an expert says.

It occurs when narrowing of the aortic valve opening prevents blood from the heart's left ventricle from flowing to the aorta. It also can affect the pressure in the left atrium, explained Dr. Mark Kozak, a cardiologist at Penn State Health.

Medicaid Could Save $2.6 Billion a Year With Dip in Smoking

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 -- Just a 1% decrease in the number of Medicaid recipients who smoke could save the insurance program billions of dollars a year, a new study suggests.

Over one year, that small decline in smoking and its associated health harms would lead to $2.6 billion in total Medicaid savings the following year and millions for each state, researchers found.

Fennel: A Food Lover's Dream Ingredient

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 -- You might have seen fennel in the produce section of your market without knowing what exactly it was. Fennel is a fragrant bulb that can be a food lover's dream ingredient, because it has a refreshing taste, similar to anise or licorice, and pairs well with other ingredients to create gourmet dishes.

Many cooks miss out because they aren't sure how to prepare it, especially when it's sold with its long feathery leaves intact. But fennel is surprisingly easy to prepare and can be enjoyed raw as well as lightly sauteed, or even slow-cooked as a soup or stew flavoring.

Do-Anywhere Upper Body Stretches

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 -- Flexibility in your upper body is important for many everyday activities you take for granted, like twisting and turning while backing out of a parking space. Try these three stretches to help keep your upper body agile. They don't require any special equipment and can even be done in your office.

Neck stretch: Do this easy stretch either standing or sitting in a chair. Slowly turn your head to the left until you feel a slight pull. Make sure the position feels comfortable, but don't tilt your head forward or backward. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, return to center and repeat to the right, again holding for 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat the full movement three times.

FDA Approves 1st Generic Nasal Spray Against Opioid Overdose

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 -- The first generic naloxone nasal spray to treat opioid overdose has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Teva Pharmaceuticals' lifesaving product is also the first generic naloxone nasal spray approved for use by people without medical training. There was already a brand-name spray (Narcan) for emergency use by untrained people, such as family members and bystanders.

Even a Little More Exercise Might Help Your Brain Stay Young

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 -- Alzheimer's and dementia are not an inevitable part of normal aging, and a little exercise might help keep them at bay, a new study suggests.

The researchers found that every hour of light exercise on top of recommended weekly levels of more intense activity reduced brain aging by about a year.

Heart Patients Pay the Price When Nearby Pharmacy Closes

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 -- When a neighborhood pharmacy shuts down, it could have dire repercussions for heart patients living nearby, new research suggests.

That's because such closures could mean patients skip or stop taking the prescriptions they need to stay healthy and safe, according to a team from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Weight-Loss Surgery Just as Successful for Teens With Down Syndrome

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 -- Young people with Down syndrome or other cognitive impairments are just as successful in shedding excess pounds after weight-loss surgery as their peers, a new study finds.

Researchers reviewed outcomes for 63 young people, aged 13 to 24, who had bariatric surgery at Children's National Health System in Washington, D.C. All were severely obese, and all had been diagnosed with cognitive impairment or an intellectual disability.

'Superbugs' Hang Out on Hospital Patients

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 -- If you weren't already worried enough about what germs lurk in hospitals, a new study shows 'superbugs' are common on patients and the things they touch.

Even worse, these bacteria are resistant to multiple antibiotics, the researchers added.

AHA News: After Family's Health Scare: 'We Had to Do This Together'

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- At his annual medical visit three years ago, John Lavaki told his doctor he sometimes felt short of breath going up and down the stairs.

An electrocardiogram showed abnormal electrical activity in his heart, so doctors ordered an echocardiogram. The ultrasound test revealed several blocked arteries to his heart and evidence of a previous heart attack he didn't know he had.