Latest news with #YaleMedicine
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Where there s smoke, there s fire and heart health risks
( NewMediaWire ) - May 30, 2025 - DALLAS — Smoke from Canada wildfires is rapidly drifting into the U.S. and the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, warns that this wildfire smoke exposure may pose an increased risk for heart disease. 'While breathing problems and respiratory health dangers are often considered the biggest health impact from wildfire smoke, it's important to recognize the impact on cardiovascular health, as well.,' said Keith Churchwell, M.D., FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer president, an associate clinical Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut and adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. 'Wildfire smoke contains a lot of pollutants including fine, microscopic particles linked to cardiovascular risk. As these fires continue to burn that contaminated smoke is traveling many miles beyond the immediately affected area.' Several research studies have linked smoke exposure to an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest and a higher volume of visits to local emergency rooms for other cardiovascular disease-related causes. People with underlying cardiovascular disease risk factors may be at risk for an acute cardiovascular event when exposed to wildfire smoke. According to the American Heart Association, recognizing the signs of a heart attack or stroke are important. Churchwell urges pay attention to your body and call 911 if you have: Additionally, knowing and performing CPR can more than double the chance of survival in the event of a cardiac arrest. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with other government and private agencies, offers a zip code-level tracking map of current air quality at Churchwell recommends checking that site regularly if you're seeing signs of wildfire smoke and haze developing where you live. It's also important to stay informed about any special alerts sent out by your local health department. Churchwell offers the following tips for reducing exposure to wildfire smoke: 'While these types of wildfires and the extent of their smoke reach can't always be predicted, protecting yourself and your family from poor air quality throughout the year is something to consider,' Churchwell said. 'In the American Heart Association's 2020 scientific statement on air pollution exposure, we note that one of the most effective measures is the use of portable air cleaners, which have been shown to reduce indoor particulate matter by as much as 50-60%. Given their modest upfront cost ($50-200) and potential benefits in reducing cardiopulmonary outcomes, this measure has a high benefit for the cost.' Churchwell said while most people in the U.S. are not directly impacted by the physical wildfires burning in Canada, the exposure to this lingering smoke can be extremely harmful and shouldn't be taken for granted. 'Protect yourself, be alert and prepared,' he said. The American Heart Association has resources to help at Additional Resources: ### For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Cathy Lewis: 214-706-1324, [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lifesaving techniques for National CPR Awareness Week
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — In today's health headlines, as we head into National CPR Awareness Week, what children and their babysitters should know about this lifesaving technique. Plus, we're talking about safety tips to keep kids out of the emergency room this spring and summer. Dr. Marc Auerbach, Yale Medicine pediatric emergency medicine physician and professor at Yale School of Medicine, joined Good Morning Connecticut at 9 a.m. to discuss. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man Died from Tick-Borne Virus After His ‘Brain Had Blown Up'. Now His Family Is Warning Others
Kevin Boyce was hospitalized in April 2024 with a severe case of Powassan virus due to a tick bite He died weeks later after suffering brain damage from the disease His family is now sharing his story to encourage others to be cautious about ticksAs the weather gets warmer, one Massachusetts family is sharing their heartbreaking story as a warning to others about a debilitating tick-borne disease. In April 2024, Kevin Boyce was unknowingly bitten by a tick. He started experiencing headaches, vomiting and other flu-like symptoms that rapidly progressed. Days later, the 62-year-old collapsed in his home and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Doctors diagnosed Kevin with Powassan virus, a rare and dangerous tick-borne disease. Powassan virus is rare but the number of cases has significantly increased in the past decade. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures. Severe cases can lead to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or spinal cord (myelitis). About 10% of these advanced cases are fatal, according to Yale Medicine. Erin explained that despite Kevin being treated in the ICU, he ultimately suffered severe brain damage from the disease. "His brain had blown up so much, from the encephalitis, and he had really bad brain damage," she told CBS News. "It was horrifying, but we knew what Kevin would want, so you know, we just had to let him go." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Kevin died a few weeks after arriving at the hospital, leaving behind a wife, two sons and a granddaughter. Erin said that she and her family are now hoping that sharing Kevin's story will encourage others to be cautious. "We just want the public to know what to look for and be wary of ticks, especially if you have one on your body," she said. In 2024, 54 cases of Powassan virus disease were reported in the United States, with 12 cases reported in to the CDC, there are no vaccines to prevent POWV or medicines to treat it. However, a number of precautionary measures can be taken to avoid ticks. To prevent exposure to ticks, according to the National Institutes of Health, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs and tuck your pants into your socks or put tape around openings in clothing. Wear light-colored clothing so you can see if a tick is on you. When you are in the woods, keep to the center of the trail, since ticks tend to like shrubs and bushes. Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin. After coming indoors, check yourself, children and pets for ticks. If you do find one, use tweezers to remove it as soon as possible. It takes a week to one month after the bite from an infected tick to develop symptoms of POWV disease, and the virus can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after the tick first attaches, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health. Shower as soon as you can and wash your clothes in high heat to kill any remaining ticks. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Christie Brinkley shares support for ex-husband Billy Joel as he is treated for neurological issue
Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel have been the friendly exes and that is on display after his recently shared medical diagnosis. The 'Piano Man' star has normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that causes pressure on the brain. Joel has canceled upcoming tour dates as a result. Over the weekend, Brinkley, who was married to Joel from 1985 to 1994, posted a video of one of the legendary singer's performances, writing, 'The whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery.' The two are parents of daughter Alexa Ray Joel, 39. 'I was looking for some cute photos of you and Alexa to send you, when I came across this clip from a recent concert,' she wrote in the caption. 'It made me laugh ..but it also reminded me of all the joy you create, and all the sensational sing a longs you've lead… you turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison ..' 'I'm sure I'm speaking for everyone in that room when I say please take good care of yourself, we all want you back in that white hot spotlight, you're OUR piano man,' Brinkley added. 'We're always in the mood for your melodies And we all hope you're feeling alright! We Love You, the kids, me and a whole bunch of full arenas!' Joel, 76, posted on his social media last week that his condition 'has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.' 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period,' the statement read. 'Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.' According to Yale Medicine, what NPH is 'very rare condition' that 'occurs when a person has too much fluid in the brain.' Joel has been married to former competitive equestrian Alexis Roderick since 2015. CNN's Alli Rosenbloom contributed to this report
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel cancels upcoming tour due to neurological disorder
Billy Joel's upcoming tour dates have been canceled as the legendary performer seeks treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that affects the brain, according to a statement released on said Friday. The statement, posted on his Instagram page Friday, stated that Joel's condition 'has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.' 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period,' the statement read. 'Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.' The statement added that Joel 'looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.' CNN has reached out to Joel for further comment. The singer was quoted in the statement, saying he was 'sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience.' Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is a 'very rare condition' that 'occurs when a person has too much fluid in the brain,' according to Yale Medicine. Fewer than 3% of adults over the age of 65 are diagnosed with NPH and it affects men and women equally. It was previously announced in March that Joel was postponing eight tour dates so that he could focus on recovering from recent surgery. A statement posted to his Instagram page at the time that he was set to 'undergo physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors.' 'While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans,' Joel wrote, adding that he was 'expected to make a full recovery' from the undisclosed medical condition. The 'Piano Man' singer on Friday announced that he was canceling 17 dates total, including the eight rescheduled shows. Joel's statement notified ticket holders that they will be automatically refunded the cost of their tickets.
