Wearing red to spread awareness for women's heart health
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — February 7 is Wear Red Day, a day created by the American Heart Association to spread awareness about heart disease, the number one cause of death for American women.
The day was created to try and combat the lack of research and education around women's heart health, and to hopefully bring more public knowledge on how to prevent heart disease and what the symptoms are.
Dr. Kavitha Kalvakuri-Meduru is a cardiologist at OSF Healthcare's Cardiovascular Institute and pointed out some of those warning signs.
'Any discomfort around the chest location, if it is associated with exertion, is an important sign to recognize and get treated. The earlier the better,' she said.
The signs can vary, as there could be nausea and vomiting involved as well. Kalvakuri-Meduru said when you're in doubt, you should get checked out.
Other important factors to consider include knowing your cholesterol level, blood pressure, glucose levels, and any family history of heart issues.
Rachel Klousnitzer is a communications director for the American Heart Association and shared some statistics about heart disease.
Nearly 45% of women 20 years of age or older had some form of cardiovascular disease.
There are significant biological differences between men and women, and clinical trials have not always adequately enrolled women or analyzed sex-specific differences in the data. Only 38% of cardiovascular clinical research trial participants are women.
Women experience unique life stages, like pregnancy and menopause, that can increase their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases over the course of their lifetime.
You can prevent heart disease by eating healthy, limiting your alcohol intake, being physically active, quitting smoking, and optimizing your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. Getting a healthy amount of sleep can help as well.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Here's what happens when sleep fails and why the brain may pay the price. Sleep isn't just a passive state; it plays a crucial role in keeping brain anatomy intact. A 2023 Mendelian randomization study found a direct causal link between shorter sleep duration and thinner cortex especially in areas that govern memory, cognition and mood regulation [1]. So poor sleep doesn't just correlate with brain issues—it may actually reshape the brain over time. More imaging studies support this. People with neuropsychiatric sleep disorders show noticeable changes in the cortex and brainstem, so disrupted sleep may be a symptom of or a contributor to brain degeneration [11] [12]. According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) the main types of sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep disordered breathing, hypersomnolence, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias and sleep related movement disorders. Many sleep disorders are diagnosed by a combination of clinical history, physical examination and sleep studies such as polysomnography. This duality raises a important clinical question: are we treating sleep disorders as the root cause or just a side effect especially since many sleep disorders can present with overlapping symptoms making diagnosis and treatment complex? One of the brain's housekeeping tasks—clearing out metabolic waste—is done during sleep. Specifically the glymphatic system flushes out neurotoxins like beta-amyloid a protein that builds up in Alzheimer's disease. When sleep is disrupted this cleaning mechanism fails. Poor sleep quality and chronic sleep problems can impede the brain's ability to clear out neurotoxins and increase the risk of cognitive decline [7]. In 2024 the American Heart Association released a statement linking sleep disturbances to increased risk of stroke, Alzheimer's and cognitive decline [2]. Chronic sleep deprivation can also affect day to day brain function. Sleep disturbance is a common feature in many neurodegenerative diseases and can accelerate cognitive impairment. A 2022 study found that long term sleep disruption impairs memory, slows learning and hinders decision making—cognitive functions we take for granted until they start to fade [4]. Sleep deprivation doesn't just make you tired. It changes brain chemistry. A 2020 review found that inadequate sleep affects neurotransmitter balance, weakens synaptic plasticity (the brain's ability to adapt) and even interrupts its natural repair mechanisms—all of which contribute to conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease [3]. Common risk factors for sleep deprivation include shift work, chronic illness and certain lifestyle habits which can increase susceptibility to sleep related problems. 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Recent research suggests that the gut microbiota can influence circadian rhythm and disruptions in this system may contribute to circadian rhythm disorders [12]. A 2022 review found that changes in gut microbiota can influence sleep patterns by altering immune responses, hormonal signals and neural activity [6]. Disruptions in circadian rhythm sleep can lead to various sleep disorders and overall health. These findings open up new possibilities for using diet, probiotics or microbiome-modulating therapies to improve sleep and in turn brain health. For more on this topic Johns Hopkins Medicine has a great primer on gut brain communication. We all know how stress affects sleep. But chronic stress does more than just keep us up at night—it triggers a cascade of inflammatory responses in the brain. Common insomnia symptoms include difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep and early morning awakenings. A 2025 review found that stress related sleep disturbances activate brain immune cells such as astrocytes and microglia. Once triggered these cells can promote neuroinflammation, damage neurons and contribute to conditions like depression and dementia [8]. These findings mirror ongoing research into how trauma, insomnia and mood disorders often share biological pathways tied to inflammation. Chronic insomnia disorder is characterized by persistent sleep difficulties lasting at least three months and often requires targeted treatment. Treating insomnia may involve behavioral, psychological and pharmacological interventions to reduce neuroinflammation and improve sleep quality. Another interesting aspect of the sleep brain relationship is genetic overlap. Many neuropsychiatric disorders share common heritable traits which not only predispose individuals to certain brain conditions but also affect how their brains age [11]. 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Whether it's maintaining brain structure, supporting cognition or taming inflammation, restful sleep is key to long term neurological health. As we learn more about sleep disorders, we should prioritize sleep as a public health issue—not just to feel rested but to preserve ourselves. [1] Gao, X., Wei, T., Xu, S., Sun, W., Zhang, B., Li, C., Sui, R., Fei, N., Li, Y., Xu, W., & Han, D. (2023). Sleep disorders causally affect the brain cortical structure: A Mendelian randomization study. Sleep medicine, 110, 243–253. [2] Gottesman, R. F., Lutsey, P. L., Benveniste, H., Brown, D. L., Full, K. M., Lee, J. M., Osorio, R. S., Pase, M. P., Redeker, N. S., Redline, S., Spira, A. P., & American Heart Association Stroke Council; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and Council on Hypertension (2024). Impact of Sleep Disorders and Disturbed Sleep on Brain Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Stroke, 55(3), e61–e76. [3] Bishir, M., Bhat, A., Essa, M. M., Ekpo, O., Ihunwo, A. O., Veeraraghavan, V. P., Mohan, S. K., Mahalakshmi, A. M., Ray, B., Tuladhar, S., Chang, S., Chidambaram, S. B., Sakharkar, M. K., Guillemin, G. J., Qoronfleh, M. W., & Ojcius, D. M. (2020). Sleep Deprivation and Neurological Disorders. BioMed research international, 2020, 5764017. [4] Zamore, Z., & Veasey, S. C. (2022). Neural consequences of chronic sleep disruption. Trends in neurosciences, 45(9), 678–691. [5] Lewis L. D. (2021). The interconnected causes and consequences of sleep in the brain. Science (New York, N.Y.), 374(6567), 564–568. [6] Wang, Z., Wang, Z., Lu, T., Chen, W., Yan, W., Yuan, K., Shi, L., Liu, X., Zhou, X., Shi, J., Vitiello, M. V., Han, Y., & Lu, L. (2022). The microbiota-gut-brain axis in sleep disorders. Sleep medicine reviews, 65, 101691. [7] Cieza, A., Anczewska, M., Ayuso-Mateos, J. L., Baker, M., Bickenbach, J., Chatterji, S., Hartley, S., Leonardi, M., Pitkänen, T., & PARADISE Consortium (2015). Understanding the Impact of Brain Disorders: Towards a 'Horizontal Epidemiology' of Psychosocial Difficulties and Their Determinants. PloS one, 10(9), e0136271. [8] Rábago-Monzón, Á. R., Osuna-Ramos, J. F., Armienta-Rojas, D. A., Camberos-Barraza, J., Camacho-Zamora, A., Magaña-Gómez, J. A., & De la Herrán-Arita, A. K. (2025). Stress-Induced Sleep Dysregulation: The Roles of Astrocytes and Microglia in Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Disorders. Biomedicines, 13(5), 1121. [9] Kaufmann, T., van der Meer, D., Doan, N. T., Schwarz, E., Lund, M. J., Agartz, I., Alnæs, D., Barch, D. M., Baur-Streubel, R., Bertolino, A., Bettella, F., Beyer, M. K., Bøen, E., Borgwardt, S., Brandt, C. L., Buitelaar, J., Celius, E. G., Cervenka, S., Conzelmann, A., Córdova-Palomera, A., … Westlye, L. T. (2019). Common brain disorders are associated with heritable patterns of apparent aging of the brain. Nature neuroscience, 22(10), 1617–1623. [10] Gu, F., Chauhan, V., & Chauhan, A. (2015). Glutathione redox imbalance in brain disorders. Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care, 18(1), 89–95. [11] Radonjić, N. V., Hess, J. L., Rovira, P., Andreassen, O., Buitelaar, J. K., Ching, C. R. K., Franke, B., Hoogman, M., Jahanshad, N., McDonald, C., Schmaal, L., Sisodiya, S. M., Stein, D. J., van den Heuvel, O. A., van Erp, T. G. M., van Rooij, D., Veltman, D. J., Thompson, P., & Faraone, S. V. (2021). Structural brain imaging studies offer clues about the effects of the shared genetic etiology among neuropsychiatric disorders. Molecular psychiatry, 26(6), 2101–2110. [12] Elvsåshagen, T., Bahrami, S., van der Meer, D., Agartz, I., Alnæs, D., Barch, D. M., Baur-Streubel, R., Bertolino, A., Beyer, M. K., Blasi, G., Borgwardt, S., Boye, B., Buitelaar, J., Bøen, E., Celius, E. G., Cervenka, S., Conzelmann, A., Coynel, D., Di Carlo, P., Djurovic, S., … Kaufmann, T. (2020). 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'Our research takes into account the potency of each chemical and can help shoppers reduce their overall pesticide burden.' The list has been produced annually for decades, but is not without critics. The Alliance for Food and Farming, which represents organic and conventional produce farmers, sent out a news release noting that the 'dirty dozen list recommendations cannot be substantiated.' 'There is growing concern about the impact of inaccurate safety fears becoming a barrier to increased consumption of produce,' the alliance said. 'One peer-reviewed study found that when low-income consumers were exposed to 'Dirty Dozen" list messaging, they stated they were less likely to purchase any produce — organic or conventional." Alexis Temkin, EWG vice president of science, told CNN the goal is not to get people to skip eating fruits and vegetables, which are important to a nutrient-rich diet. Rather, it's to help families decide whether to buy organic versions of certain fruits or vegetables. 'The guide is there to help consumers eat a lot of fruits and vegetables while trying to reduce pesticide exposure,' Temkin said. 'One of the things that a lot of peer-reviewed studies have shown over and over again (is) that when people switch to an organic diet from a conventional diet, you can really see measurable levels in the reduction of pesticide levels in the urine.' The group said it analyzed 47 items to come up with the 12 it called most contaminated by pesticides. EWG also noted that the analysis didn't include risk assessment, weighting all pesticides equally, nor did it 'factor in the levels deemed acceptable by the EPA.' Spinach Strawberries Kale, collard and mustard greens Grapes Peaches Cherries Nectarines Pears Apples Blackberries Blueberries Potatoes The group said the average American eats about eight pounds of strawberries a year. 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EWG uses USDA data for non-organic samples of fruits and vegetables from the most recent sampling periods, which typically spans one to two years for each item. For example, to analyze residues on spinach, we used 1,295 samples the USDA collected between 2015 and 2016, as that's the most recent data range for that type of produce.' EWG also pointed out that most of the pesticides found on conventional spinach samples were 'sanctioned as legal and safe' by the Environmental Protection Agency, but note that permethrin at high doses creates health risks, including increased chance of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. The items with the least amount of pesticide in the EWG report were: Pineapples Sweet corn (fresh and frozen) Avocados Papaya Onion Sweet peas (frozen) Asparagus Cabbage Watermelon Cauliflower Bananas Mangoes Carrots Mushrooms Kiwi The alliance reported that 'the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Pesticide Data Program consistently finds that over 99% of foods sampled had residue levels well below EPA safety standards with 40% having no detectable residues at all." Still, public health experts say fresh produce should be cleaned, including the fruits and vegetables that have peels that will not be consumed. Advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safely consuming produce: Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after handling fresh produce. Cut away damaged or bruised areas before preparing or eating. Rinse produce BEFORE you peel it. Otherwise, that knife could transfer contamination. 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5 hours ago
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New paper sheds light on experience of Black prisoners in infamous Stateville prison malaria experiments
Much has been said and written over the years about controversial malaria research conducted on inmates at Illinois' Stateville Penitentiary starting in the 1940s. But at least one part of that story has been largely ignored until now: the role of Black prisoners in that research, which helped lead to the modern practice of using genetic testing to understand how individual patients will react to certain medications, according to the authors of a newly published paper out of the University of Utah. 'We want to highlight the stories of Black prisoners that participated in this prison research in the 1950s onward and give them their due,' said Hannah Allen, a medical ethicist and assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and first author of the paper, which was published as an opinion piece Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. 'They haven't been properly acknowledged in the past, and their participation in these studies was really foundational in launching the field of pharmacogenetics and, later on, precision medicine,' said Allen, who recently completed her doctorate at the University of Utah. Starting in the 1940s, researchers infected inmates at the Joliet-area prison with malaria to test the effectiveness of drugs to treat the illness as part of a U.S. military-funded effort to protect American troops overseas, according to the paper. A University of Chicago doctor was the principal investigator. The inmates consented to being part of the studies and were paid for their participation. At first, the research was greeted with enthusiasm. In 1945, Life magazine ran a spread about it, featuring a photo of a Stateville inmate with cups containing malaria-carrying mosquitoes pressed against his bare chest. The first line of the story reads, 'In three U.S. penitentiaries men who have been imprisoned as enemies of society are now helping science fight another enemy of society.' But as the years passed, attitudes began to shift. Questions arose about whether inmates could truly, freely consent to participate in medical experiments or whether they felt coerced into them because of their often dire circumstances. At the Nuremberg trials, defense attorneys for Nazi doctors introduced text and images from the Life article about Stateville prison, though an Illinois physician argued at the trials that the prisoners in Stateville consented to being part of medical research whereas Nazi prisoners did not, according to the JAMA paper. In the mid-1970s, news broke about a study at Tuskegee, in which Black men with syphilis went untreated for years — news that raised awareness of ethical problems in medical research. News outlets also began publishing more stories about prison research, according to the JAMA article. The Chicago Tribune published an article in 1973, in which an inmate participating in the Stateville malaria research said: 'I've been coerced into the project — for the money. Being here has nothing to do with 'doing good for mankind' … I didn't want to keep taking money from my family.' The experiments at Stateville came to a halt in the 1970s. A number of protections and regulations are now in place when it comes to research involving prisoners. Since the 1970s, the Stateville research has often been discussed and analyzed but little attention has been paid to its Black participants, said James Tabery, a medical ethicist and philosophy professor at the University of Utah who led the new research, which was funded by the federal National Institutes of Health. For a time, Black prisoners were excluded from the studies because of a myth that Black people were immune to malaria, Tabery said. Later on, once scientists had pinpointed the drug primaquine as an effective medication for malaria, they turned their attention to the question of why 5% to 10% of Black men experienced a violent reaction to the drug, according to the paper. Ultimately, the scientists were successful, finding that the adverse reaction was related to a specific genetic deficiency. 'There are people all over Chicago today that are getting tested, that clinicians are recommending they get a genetic test before they get prescribed a drug because they want to make sure that their patient isn't going to have an adverse reaction to the drug,' Tabery said. 'It's really sort of powerful and interesting that you can trace that approach to doing good clinical medicine right back to this particular moment and place and population.' But Tabery and Allen also found that the Black prisoners were not treated the same as the white prisoners who participated in research at Stateville. For one, they weren't paid as much as the white prisoners, the rationale being that the white prisoners were infected with malaria, whereas the Black prisoners were given the drug but not infected with the disease — though some of the Black prisoners got very ill after taking the medication, according to the paper. Also, researchers didn't protect the Black participants' privacy as well as they did for other participants. They published certain identifying information about the Black participants, such as initials, ages, heights and weights, whereas participants in the previous research were represented with case numbers, according to the paper. Researchers also recruited the Black prisoners' family members for the study, which they didn't do with earlier participants, according to the paper. 'You see them just doing things with the Black prisoners that they're not doing with the white prisoners,' Tabery said. Also, though scientists made an important discovery through the research on Black prisoners, the episode also highlights the difficulty that can occur in translating discoveries into real life help for patients. Though the World Health Organization now recommends genetic testing to protect people who are sensitive to antimalarials, many of the people who would benefit most from such testing still don't receive it because of financial barriers, supply chain issues and a lack of training, according to the paper. 'What we found is when you sort of shift to what was happening to the Black prisoners, these other lessons you hadn't thought of as being derivable from Stateville suddenly do become apparent,' Tabery said.
