September 17, 2020

AHA News: Researchers Explore How COVID-19 Affects Heart Health in Black Women

TUESDAY, Aug. 25, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- Nearly six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, two things have become clear: The virus profoundly impacts people with heart disease and disproportionately impacts Black people. But the many manifestations of these disparities remain unclear, particularly for one group regularly left out of medical research.

"African American women are often at the intersection of the worst economic and health disparities," said Dr. Michelle Albert, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. "They are a group that is often overlooked."

September 17, 2020

Stress, Anger May Worsen Heart Failure

FRIDAY, Aug. 21, 2020 -- If you suffer from heart failure, try to stay calm. Stress and anger may make your condition worse, a new study suggests.

Mental stress is common in heart failure patients due to the complexities of managing the disease, progressively worsening function, and frequent medical issues and hospitalizations, according to lead author Kristie Harris, a postdoctoral associate in cardiovascular medicine at Yale University in New Haven, Conn.

August 9, 2020

Smoking Raises Aneurysm Risk for Women

TUESDAY, July 28, 2020 -- Smoking significantly increases a woman's risk of potentially deadly brain aneurysms, a new study warns.

An aneurysm is a weakened, bulging section of an artery. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause fatal bleeding.

August 3, 2020

Sweet News: Chocolate May Help Your Heart

THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 -- If the stress of the current pandemic has you reaching for chocolate, a new review may give you just the excuse you need.

The study found that people who ate one or more servings of chocolate a week were up to 10% less likely to have heart disease than people who ate less or no chocolate weekly.