Latest news with #VitalSolution
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm a cardiologist... here are the subtle signs of a heart attack women should NEVER ignore
Whether it was from school, TV, or that scene in Four Weddings and a Funeral, you're probably well-versed in the symptoms of a heart attack. You know the ones: pain in your left arm and heart. Or so you thought. Because a lot of what we know about science and health are based on the bodies of white, able-bodied men, often anyone who doesn't fit this description is left out of the equation. And this includes women. So because you've been conditioned to recognize the symptoms of a man, you probably wouldn't recognize if you were having a heart attack. In fact, interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at Vital Solution Dr. Bradley Serwer told that women don't even always have chest pain when they're having a heart attack. 'Instead, they may experience shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion, or upper abdominal pain, dizziness or passing out,' Dr. Serwer said. And it's because of this difference in symptoms that a diagnosis can be delayed. This can have fatal repercussions. 'Though heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, they tend to present with it seven to 10 years later in life compared to men,' Dr. Serwer said. 'Due to the under recognition of heart disease in women, studies have indicated that they receive less aggressive treatment.' So what other heart attack symptoms are women potentially missing out on? Dr. Serwer said that jaw pain can be an indication, especially if they commence during moderate exercise and then subside when you rest. He also said that pain primarily located on the left side of the jaw, especially when accompanied by the absence of redness or swelling in the jaw, can be a signal that your pain is being caused by something more severe than you thought. And the idea that a shooting pain is a sign you're having a heart attack isn't totally off. If you feel pain in your neck and arm - any arm - this could be the symptom of a heart attack. And if you're having any sort of shortness of breath, perspiration, or clammy skin followed by pain, you might want to get to a doctor immediately. 'The pain should be taken more seriously if you have significant cardiac risk factors, such as a smoking history, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or a strong family history of coronary artery disease,' Dr. Serwer said. Whether you've experienced this symptoms before or they're showing up out of nowhere, it's always better to be safe than sorry - especially when it comes to your heart.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Blood pressure and dementia risk share surprising link, study suggests
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is known to have a direct impact on heart attack and stroke risk — but a new study has revealed its surprising link to brain health. In a large, randomized trial, researchers led by First Hospital of China Medical University discovered that "intensive blood pressure control" resulted in a 15% reduced dementia risk among participants and a 16% reduced risk of cognitive impairment. The study included 33,995 people in rural China aged 40 or older who had "uncontrolled hypertension." 7 Blood Pressure Mistakes That Could Be Throwing Off Your Readings The participants were divided into two groups. One received "usual care," while the other was assigned to "trained non-physician community healthcare providers" who prescribed "titrated antihypertensive medications." For the latter group, the medications helped them achieve a systolic blood pressure goal of <130 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure goal of <80 mm Hg, according to the study findings in Nature Medicine. Read On The Fox News App "The primary outcome of all-cause dementia was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the usual care group," the researchers wrote. They were also less likely to experience "serious adverse events." Health Boost And Dementia Prevention In Just 5 Minutes A Day This was one of the first large-scale, randomized, controlled effectiveness trials to demonstrate a "significant reduction in all-cause dementia associated with lowering blood pressure," the researchers concluded. There were some limitations of the study, the article acknowledged, including the absence of baseline and follow-up cognitive assessments. Dr. Bradley Serwer — an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals — said this study presents an "intriguing approach" to addressing dementia in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension. Just 5 Minutes Of Exercise Could Reduce High Blood Pressure, Study Finds "Unlike studies performed in the United States, this study employed non-physicians to significantly reduce blood pressure in rural China through a 'cluster' blinding method," Ohio-based Serwer, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "While the study can be subject to scrutiny, it raises a pertinent question: How crucial is modification of cardiovascular risk factors in the development of dementia?" The primary medications used in the study to lower blood pressure were calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers, Serwer noted. "These commonly prescribed medications have been independently associated with a reduced risk of dementia, irrespective of the magnitude of blood pressure reduction they achieve," he said. "This raises the possibility that the lower rates of dementia observed may be attributed to other beneficial effects of the medications rather than solely to blood pressure reduction." To confirm the findings, Serwer said it would be beneficial to include baseline cognitive assessments of the patients and to identify the prevalence of Alzheimer's dementia within the communities. "The most significant takeaway from this study is the profound importance of addressing blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and sedentary lifestyles," the cardiologist said. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "By prioritizing these factors, we not only aim to prevent heart attacks and strokes, but also strive to enhance overall quality of life." The study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Chinese Society of Cardiology Foundation, and the Science and Technology Program of Liaoning Province, China. For more Health articles, visit Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for article source: Blood pressure and dementia risk share surprising link, study suggests
Fox News
22-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Blood pressure and dementia risk share surprising link, study suggests
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is known to have a direct impact on heart attack and stroke risk — but a new study has revealed its surprising link to brain health. In a large, randomized trial, researchers led by First Hospital of China Medical University discovered that "intensive blood pressure control" resulted in a 15% reduced dementia risk among participants and a 16% reduced risk of cognitive impairment. The study included 33,995 people in rural China aged 40 or older who had "uncontrolled hypertension." The participants were divided into two groups. One received "usual care," while the other was assigned to "trained non-physician community healthcare providers" who prescribed "titrated antihypertensive medications." For the latter group, the medications helped them achieve a systolic blood pressure goal of <130 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure goal of <80 mm Hg, according to the study findings in Nature Medicine. "The primary outcome of all-cause dementia was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the usual care group," the researchers wrote. They were also less likely to experience "serious adverse events." This was one of the first large-scale, randomized, controlled effectiveness trials to demonstrate a "significant reduction in all-cause dementia associated with lowering blood pressure," the researchers concluded. There were some limitations of the study, the article acknowledged, including the absence of baseline and follow-up cognitive assessments. Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, said this study presents an "intriguing approach" to addressing dementia in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension. "Unlike studies performed in the United States, this study employed non-physicians to significantly reduce blood pressure in rural China through a 'cluster' blinding method," Serwer, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "While the study can be subject to scrutiny, it raises a pertinent question: How crucial is modification of cardiovascular risk factors in the development of dementia?" The primary medications used in the study to lower blood pressure were calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers, Serwer noted. "These commonly prescribed medications have been independently associated with a reduced risk of dementia, irrespective of the magnitude of blood pressure reduction they achieve," he said. "This raises the possibility that the lower rates of dementia observed may be attributed to other beneficial effects of the medications rather than solely to blood pressure reduction." To confirm the findings, Serwer said it would be beneficial to include baseline cognitive assessments of the patients and to identify the prevalence of Alzheimer's dementia within the communities. "The most significant takeaway from this study is the profound importance of addressing blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and sedentary lifestyles," the cardiologist said. "By prioritizing these factors, we not only aim to prevent heart attacks and strokes, but also strive to enhance overall quality of life." The study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Chinese Society of Cardiology Foundation, and the Science and Technology Program of Liaoning Province, China. Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This odd dental habit could spark heart health risks, experts warn
Searches for "tongue scraper" have almost doubled in the last two decades, according to Google Trends. Some experts, however, have warned about potential risks. The practice of tongue-scraping (or tongue-brushing) has existed as a means of dental health for hundreds of years. While earlier studies concluded that scraping the tongue can improve one's sense of taste in as little as two weeks, some have raised concerns about potential heart health risks associated with the practice. Here's How You Should Be Cleaning Your Teeth, According To A Dentist "There's always been a strong association between good oral hygiene and heart health," Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company, told Fox News Digital. "Gingivitis or a bad gum infection has been known to cause problems with the heart on many different levels," said the Maryland-based doctor. Read On The Fox News App Despite the potential benefits, Serwer and others have warned of a little-known cardiac risk associated with the practice. Tongue-scraping (or brushing) is the process of cleaning the tongue to keep bad bacteria, food debris and dead cells from accumulating on its surface, according to Cleveland Clinic. Beyond brushing with a toothbrush, specific tongue-scraping tools — available at pharmacies for as little as $8 — offer an easy way to get rid of plaque and other unwanted build-up. Gentle tongue-scraping performed up to once a day is recommended for adults to help remove bacteria and freshen breath, according to Dr. Whitney White of Aspen Dental. Fried Chicken-flavored Toothpaste Sells Out Shortly After It's Introduced "When patients ask, I typically recommend a metal tongue scraper, as they are the best for hygienic reasons to keep clean," White, who is based in Nevada, told Fox News Digital. Another expert, Ohio-based dental hygienist Tenika Patterson, told Cleveland Clinic, "Tongue-scraping can do a better job at removing that plaque and bacteria from the tongue's surface." "Brushing is OK to do, but think about it this way — if your carpet is dirty and you scrub it, the dirt's going to get embedded down in there," she said. "But if you scrape it, it's going to come right off the surface." The concern with tongue-scraping is that it can cause "macroscopic cuts" on the tongue, which potentially can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, Serwer cautioned. Any time bacteria enters the bloodstream, there is an increased risk of endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart valves. 7 Blood Pressure Mistakes That Could Be Throwing Off Your Readings If left untreated, endocarditis can lead to severe heart damage, according to Cleveland Clinic. While tongue-scraping can be good for oral health, it's important not to overdo it, Dr. White advised. Scraping too much can lower the body's nitric oxide levels and increase the risk of issues like high blood pressure. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "While gentle, regular scraping helps remove harmful bacteria, doing it too often or too aggressively can disrupt the balance of good microbes on your tongue — some of which help produce nitric oxide, a compound that's important for heart health," White said. "The most important thing a person can do is to stay on top of oral hygiene," Serwer recommended. "Regular visits to the dentist, brushing and flossing can help ensure healthy gums and teeth." While brushing teeth and flossing can also introduce bacteria, those are outweighed by the benefits of maintaining healthy gums, experts agree. In contrast, "the benefits of tongue scraping are quite minimal," Serwer said. For more Health articles, visit For those who wish to continue tongue-scraping, White emphasized that less can be more. "Since your oral health is connected to your overall health, it's best to scrape your tongue in moderation to keep both your mouth and body in balance," she advised. "However, it is not a necessary step in your oral health routine, and should not be a substitute for twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing."Original article source: This odd dental habit could spark heart health risks, experts warn
Fox News
20-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
This odd dental habit could spark heart health risks, experts warn
Searches for "tongue scraper" have almost doubled in the last two decades, according to Google Trends. However, some experts have warned about potential risks. The practice of tongue-scraping (or tongue-brushing) has existed as a means of dental health for hundreds of years. While earlier studies concluded that scraping the tongue can improve one's sense of taste in as little as two weeks, some have raised concerns about potential heart health risks associated with the practice. "There's always been a strong association between good oral hygiene and heart health," Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company, told Fox Digital. "Gingivitis or a bad gum infection has been known to cause problems with the heart on many different levels," said the Maryland-based doctor. Despite the potential benefits, Serwer and others have warned of a little-known cardiac risk associated with the practice. Tongue-scraping (or brushing) is the process of cleaning the tongue to keep bad bacteria, food debris and dead cells from accumulating on its surface, according to Cleveland Clinic. Beyond brushing with a toothbrush, specific tongue-scraping tools — available at pharmacies for as little as $8 — offer an easy way to get rid of plaque and other unwanted build-up. Gentle tongue-scraping performed up to once a day is recommended for adults to help remove bacteria and freshen breath, according to Dr. Whitney White of Aspen Dental. "When patients ask, I typically recommend a metal tongue scraper, as they are the best for hygienic reasons to keep clean," White, who is based in Nevada, told Fox News Digital. Another expert, Ohio-based dental hygienist Tenika Patterson, told Cleveland Clinic: "Tongue-scraping can do a better job at removing that plaque and bacteria from the tongue's surface." "Brushing is OK to do, but think about it this way — if your carpet is dirty and you scrub it, the dirt's going to get embedded down in there," she said. "But if you scrape it, it's going to come right off the surface." The concern with tongue-scraping is that it can cause "macroscopic cuts" on the tongue, which can potentially introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, Serwer cautioned. Anytime bacteria enters the bloodstream, there is an increased risk of endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart valves. If left untreated, endocarditis can lead to severe heart damage, according to Cleveland Clinic. While tongue-scraping can be good for oral health, it's important not to overdo it, Dr. White advised. Scraping too much can lower the body's nitric oxide levels and increase the risk of issues like high blood pressure. "While gentle, regular scraping helps remove harmful bacteria, doing it too often or too aggressively can disrupt the balance of good microbes on your tongue — some of which help produce nitric oxide, a compound that's important for heart health," White said. "The most important thing a person can do is to stay on top of oral hygiene," Serwer recommended. "Regular visits to the dentist, brushing and flossing can help ensure healthy gums and teeth." While brushing teeth and flossing can also introduce bacteria, those are outweighed by the benefits of maintaining healthy gums, experts agree. In contrast, "the benefits of tongue scraping are quite minimal," Serwer said. For more Health articles, visit For those who wish to continue tongue-scraping, White emphasized that less can be more. "Since your oral health is connected to your overall health, it's best to scrape your tongue in moderation to keep both your mouth and body in balance," she advised. "However, it is not a necessary step in your oral health routine, and should not be a substitute for twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing."
