AHA: Breastfeeding May Help a Mom's Heart

THURSDAY, Jan. 10, 2019 (American Heart Association) -- Studies have long touted the benefits of breastfeeding for infants, including stronger immune systems and lower risk for asthma, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. But babies aren't the only ones benefiting: Nursing also appears to provide health benefits for moms.

Research suggests women who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The longer women nurse, whether with one child or over the course of several, the lower their risk.

How the Mediterranean Diet Can Help Women's Hearts

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 -- Women who stick to a Mediterranean diet have a 25 percent lower risk of heart disease -- and researchers say they're starting to understand why.

"Our study has a strong public health message that modest changes in known cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly those relating to inflammation, glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, contribute to the long-term benefit of a Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular disease risk," said study lead author Shafqat Ahmad. He is a research fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Do Paramedics Shortchange Women With Heart Trouble?

MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 -- Women who call 911 for a possible heart attack may get different treatment from paramedics than men do, a new U.S. study suggests.

Researchers found that ambulance crews were less likely to give recommended treatments, such as aspirin, to women with chest pain. Paramedics were also less likely to turn on their sirens while transporting female patients to the hospital.

When Heart Attack Strikes, Women Often Hesitate to Call for Help

TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 -- Women often delay calling for emergency help when heart attack symptoms start, a new study finds.

Researchers in Switzerland found that women suffering a heart attack typically waited 37 minutes longer than men before calling an ambulance. And those delays showed no signs of improving over the 16-year study period.

Snoring May Be Bigger Health Threat to Women Than Men

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 -- The hearts of women who snore appear to become damaged more quickly than those of men who "saw lumber" at night, a new study suggests.

Evaluating nearly 4,500 British adults who underwent cardiac imaging, researchers also learned that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be vastly underdiagnosed among snorers.

AHA: Age, Race Are Leading Predictors of Heart Attacks in Pregnant Women

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 (American Heart Association) -- Heart attacks in pregnant women are rare, but the number is rising, particularly among older expectant mothers, according to a new study that looked at the most common factors behind the increase.

The number of women who had heart attacks during or after pregnancy rose 19 percent from 2005 to 2014, the study found.