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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘I Had Sky-High Blood Pressure for Years, Now It's 112/72—Here's What I Did'
High blood pressure has become a reality for more and more Americans—in fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of adults have high blood pressure. This is concerning considering that high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke and heart failure. While a high blood pressure reading may leave you feeling defeated, for many, it can inspire them to spring into action. And that's what happened to 36-year-old Ashley (Aevie) Vielma. The Houston, Texas resident knew that her blood pressure was climbing, and she decided to do something about it. Vielma was aware of her family's history with high blood pressure. She shares that her grandmother, mother and sister, along with other family members, have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. She also lacked a consistent exercise routine, and it didn't help that she ate a 'poor diet' that was high in salty, processed foods and saturated fats. She also admits that low-quality sleep was to blame. 'I would fall asleep with my phone and rarely got more than six hours of sleep each night,' she says, adding that she was always stressed out and dehydrated. Consequently, Vielma became pre-hypertensive in her late 20s in 2015, with a reading of 125/82. 'My worst number was 128/95 in 2019 during an acute period of high anxiety and stress,' she says. 'My doctor began monitoring my blood pressure regularly to make sure the elevated numbers were not sustained. Otherwise, I could have needed medication or hospitalization.' Related: Whether You're Dealing With High Blood Pressure or Want to Avoid It in the Future, Here Are the 25 Best Foods to Eat During this period, Vielma says that she would get dizzy spells from time to time when she stood up quickly. 'I was always tired!' she says. 'I also struggled to maintain resilience. I was easily overwhelmed and my stress showed at work and at home.' Related: The One Habit That Can Lower Your Blood Pressure Overnight, According to a Cardiologist That's when Vielma decided to take matters into her own hands. She started walking regularly and doing low-impact exercise, such as Pilates. 'I really enjoyed the classes at Club Pilates and it was easy to commit to it regularly,' she says. She also carefully listened to her doctor and began researching healthy habits in addition to the ones she was already weaving into her life. 'Deep down, I knew that exercise alone would not be enough to reduce my blood pressure. I started getting six to eight hours of sleep regularly. I stopped screen-scrolling and set a timer on my bedroom lamp. It's lights out at 10:00 p.m. now,' she says. She couldn't believe how much exercise and high-quality sleep were positively impacting her mind and body. 'My mood improved and I had a lot more energy,' she reveals. Then she tackled her diet. She shares that despite how much she enjoyed indulging in her favorite foods, she ultimately knew that it was taking a toll on her health. That's when she started drinking at least two liters of water daily, which made it easier to feel satisfied instead of overeating at every meal. She looked at the salt, fat and sugar content on nutrition labels—particularly since those ingredients can affect hormone levels and the cardiovascular system. Instead of salting her food, she used herbs to increase flavor. When she goes out to eat, she orders dressing or sauce on the side and cuts things with lemon juice to reduce the sodium. In general, fibrous veggies and lean proteins are a big part of her diet. Additionally, she made breathing and mindfulness top priorities in her life. She now uses meditation techniques to stay present, something that contributed to lowering her blood pressure. 'Before, I was always thinking about what happens next or how I could have done something differently or better,' she says. 'Now I focus on one or two things at a time and I let the past go. This stops my mind from becoming overwhelmed, overthinking about everything little that went wrong, or all that needs to be accomplished in a week or a month.' As a result of all of her impressive efforts, her blood pressure has stayed around 112/72 since 2020. She keeps a digital blood pressure monitor in her night table to keep track of her numbers daily. Related: Want to Prevent Heart Disease? A Huge Study Says This Is the Exact Blood Pressure You Should Aim For Today, Vielma is an instructor at Club Pilates, the very fitness studio that first fostered her fitness routine, and she continues to practice healthy lifestyle habits. But she never feels as if she's officially out of the woods.'It's definitely easier to stay active now as a Club Pilates instructor, but I will always keep monitoring my blood pressure to make sure I'm staying in a healthy range,' she says. 'If I ever need additional resources, such as medication, I will pursue that option.'Vielma has learned just how important blood pressure is when it comes to overall health. She advises, 'If you have a family history of high blood pressure, or had an elevated reading, and are not on medication, at least invest in a monitor to track your numbers at home. A monitor is affordable and can be a lifesaving device if a crisis ever arises.' Related: This Easy Diet Tweak Can Lower Blood Pressure—and No, It's Not Less Salt Ashley (Aevie) Vielma, Club Pilates instructor. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 'High Blood Pressure Facts' 'I Had Sky-High Blood Pressure for Years, Now It's 112/72—Here's What I Did' first appeared on Parade on May 25, 2025


The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Our ‘fit' dad died weeks after we got his diagnosis – his Apple Watch alerted us & a simple question could've saved him
WHEN Alan Orchard nearly collapsed on a bike ride through the Lancashire hills in 2023, no one imagined he'd be dead just over a year later. But for Alan's children, David and Lucy, yet more heartbreak lies in the belief their dad could have had longer with them, or even still be here now, if just one simple question had been brought up earlier. 9 9 'If the doctors had asked about dad's family history, they'd have found out his sister Judy died of pancreatic cancer 12 years before when she was 60,' David, 35, from Preston, Lancashire, tells Sun Health. 'It could have changed everything.' Instead, it took 13 months for the retired council project manager to get a cancer diagnosis from the onset of his first symptoms. And when it finally came, it was too late - Alan died just four weeks later, aged 68. Lucy, 33, says: 'The medics never connected the dots despite the fact it felt strange because he was such a healthy person suddenly having issues. 'I find those 'what ifs' really hard to deal with now. 'Had the doctors known about his sister when investigating these sudden health issues in 2023, things may have been so different. 'That knowledge, combined with the pre-diabetes and heart issues, should have been three massive red flags. 'We might have had a chance to explore chemo or an operation, or to go private to speed things up. 'Instead, when it did finally get diagnosed, dad's rate of decline was like going from 0 to 100 in no time at all.' I'm a doctor, NEVER ignore these pancreatic cancer symptoms Alan had lived his life by the book, alongside his loving wife Julie, 69, a retired school bursar. 'He was so fit, so healthy,' David says. 'He was cycling 20 to 30 miles four or five days a week. 'He'd never had a day off work in his life.' In May 2023, during a regular cycle with his club, Alan felt faint. His Apple Watch showed an erratic heartbeat and Julie rushed him to A&E. Doctors discovered Alan was dehydrated and suffering from atrial fibrillation - an irregular heart rhythm. By August, blood tests flagged pre-diabetes. He was told to start taking up to 10 tablets a day. Beauty business owner Lucy, also from Preston, says: 'He was absolutely mortified. 'He was a really proud man who, like mum, took good care of himself but he actually got quite tearful because the doctor suggested he may be eating the wrong things.' 9 9 Alan carried on taking holidays in his beloved motor home with Julie and trying to stay active. He became increasingly conscious of what he was eating. On May, 26, 2024, Alan saw a cardiologist for the irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillations, that were still bothering him. His heart issues remained, and he was told he'd likely need cardioversion to shock his heart back into rhythm. But the very next day, on the May Bank Holiday, he took a turn for the worse. TURN FOR THE WORSE Lucy says: 'I looked at dad that day and I just cried. He looked grey. He'd lost weight. 'We had walked into the village that day to watch my nephew [David's son] in a parade, and I ended up having to link arms with dad and he was propping himself up on a wall as he was tired and had a pain in his upper stomach. 'I was such a daddy's girl, I became obsessive from that day on. 'I think because we were so close, I just knew he had cancer and I was terrified.' Alan returned to the GP on May 31, following the sudden decline in his health. That week, he had numerous doctor's appointments. He was told he now had type 1 diabetes and started having to inject insulin. But alarm bells rang when blood tests showed abnormalities in his liver and pancreas. 9 'The GP said he suspected pancreatic cancer and was referring Dad on the two-week cancer pathway,' says David. 'I had taken that day off and, when I heard, I Googled it on the beach while my son played. It was terrifying. 'It said he could have months - maybe a year at best so from that day on, until after he died, I chose not to look again because I wanted to remain positive and hopeful for Dad.' A day later, Alan began to notice his vision worsening. He was rushed to Lancaster Hospital by ambulance. His insulin was increased which helped with his sudden diabetes diagnosis, but over the next week, he found it increasingly hard to eat without experiencing huge discomfort. Lucy, who had moved back into the family home, admits: 'I was obsessive, thinking I could heal him with juices. 'One of my friends made some for us and I bought a juicer. 'I'd buy all organic vegetables and fruit and leave several options for him next to a little note that said 'I love you'.' The gastro consultant confirmed pancreatic cancer and that it had spread to his liver but it was all very fast. David Alan's weight loss, pain and weakness continued. On June 10, a full-body CT scan was carried out. A week later, a doctor called Alan to say he had looked at the scan results and found blood clots on Alan's lungs and he needed to make his way to the hospital urgently. What you need to know about pancreatic cancer AS with most cancers, the earlier you detect pancreatic cancer the better a patient's chance of survival. That's why it's so important to know the signs and symptoms, and to act and seek your GP if you're worried. Here, Nicci Murphy, a specialist nurse who staffs Pancreatic Cancer UK's Support Line, reveals what you need to know. How common is pancreatic cancer? Around 10,700 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year in the UK. Are there different types? There are different types of pancreatic cancer, the most common being pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which accounts for around 95 per cent of cases. However, there are other, less common types of pancreatic cancer, such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs). What are the early warning signs and symptoms you should look out for? Pancreatic cancer often doesn't cause symptoms in the early stages which makes it incredibly difficult to detect. As the cancer grows, it may start to cause symptoms, but they are often vague and associated with common, less serious conditions. Common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include: tummy (abdominal) and/or back pain unexplained weight loss and indigestion. Other symptoms include: loss of appetite changes to bowel habits – including steatorrhoea (pale, smelly poo that may float), diarrhoea (loose watery poo) or constipation (problems emptying your bowels) jaundice (yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, pale-coloured stools and itchy skin) recently diagnosed diabetes or sudden, uncontrolled blood sugars in diabetics problems digesting food – such as feeling full quickly when eating, bloating, burping or lots of wind feeling and being sick (nausea and vomiting) and difficulty swallowing. If a person has any of these symptoms and they don't know why they have them, they should contact their GP or call NHS 111. If they have jaundice, they need to go to their GP or A&E straight away. What's the treatment and survival rate? Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer: more than half of people die within three months of diagnosis. Research into the disease has been underfunded for decades, resulting in survival rates that have barely improved in the last 50 years – in stark contrast to other cancers. Due to the vague symptoms associated with the disease and a lack of early detection test, 80 per cent of people aren't diagnosed until after the cancer has spread, meaning they are unable to have lifesaving treatment. Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic cancer yet just 10 per cent of people are eligible for it. It was that day, on June 17, 2024 that he finally got a diagnosis. 'The gastro consultant confirmed pancreatic cancer and that it had spread to his liver but it was all very fast,' David says. 'They booked a biopsy for June 27, but Dad was already deteriorating rapidly.' Lucy, who was waiting with David in her car outside the hospital, recalls: 'I was beside myself when I saw them both. 'They were walking slowly towards the car clearly distressed and Mum said, 'it's not good.' 'They could barely speak because of the emotion of it all and then dad just gave me a massive hug and we were all just crying. It's something I'll never, ever get over.' Alan grew sicker by the day. He suffered violent hiccups, caused by the tumour blocking his duodenum - part of the small intestine. His first oncology appointment was set for July 9. 'It felt like everything was too slow,' David says. 'Every day matters with this type of cancer. It's one of the most aggressive out there. We kept being told there were processes to follow. But it felt like no one was in a rush.' Alan suddenly took a serious turn. 9 9 Because he was so dehydrated, medics gave him an IV drip, not realising at this point his tumour had caused a blockage. When Alan returned home, he started being violently sick because of all the fluids he'd been given, and his hiccups were so severe, Lucy says, 'it was like he was fitting'. After returning to hospital, on July 15, in agonising pain doctors fitted a stent to unblock his duodenum, in the hope that if it was successful he could begin chemotherapy. The next day, it was the Euro Cup final which will forever remain a bittersweet memory for David. David says: 'England were playing Spain, and I watched it with Dad in hospital but it was a very surreal experience for me because I was driving through my town watching people going to the pub to watch it but I was going to hospital to watch it with my dad, who was dying.' The stent operation appeared to go well. 'He came out of theatre with a smile and a thumbs up and said, 'I'm ready for the chemo now,'' David remembers. But just like his sister Judy, Alan deteriorated within days. Lucy says: 'The last few hours, when dad was in hospital, were just awful because he was in so much pain he couldn't even speak. 'I was just holding his hand and saying 'Dad, just picture yourself on your bike, and you're going to get a massive 99 ice-cream' because that's what he loved.' FINAL HOURS Finally, after the help from his sister-in-law, Alan was taken to the hospice to see out his final hours in peace with Julie, David and Lucy by his side. He died in the early hours of July 18, just nine hours after arriving at the hospice. 'It was peaceful. The hospice staff were incredible,' David says. 'Absolutely nothing can prepare you for the loss of a parent,' Lucy says. 'Every day you wake up and it hits you, like, 'oh my gosh, did that actually happen?'.' David, who runs a cheese export business, says doctors need better training to ask about simple risk factors. 'A year earlier, if they'd looked at Dad's family history, if they'd joined the dots - it could've been a totally different outcome,' he says. The siblings are now backing calls for more investment in early detection, including a breath test in development, that could flag pancreatic cancer in its early, silent stages. 'If you catch it early, there are more options - like being able to operate, chemotherapy, and survival rates change dramatically,' David says. 'But once it's late, it's too aggressive. Dad never stood a chance. 'We were told things had changed since Auntie Judy died. But with pancreatic cancer, nothing has changed.' 'You can't turn a blind eye to any symptoms,' Lucy adds. 'Detecting pancreatic cancer is so difficult and there's just not enough awareness about it. 'We're coming up to the first of everything. I know the first anniversary will be difficult. 'But I will always remember dad as the most incredible, caring person who was so much fun. 'We were so lucky to have him.'


Health Line
5 days ago
- General
- Health Line
When Should You Have a Heart Health Checkup?
An important part of preventive healthcare, some heart health screening tests may start around age 20. Other tests may not be needed until you are older. Routine heart health screenings are an important part of preventive healthcare for adults. Some heart health screening tests should begin as early as age 20, recommends the American Heart Association (AHA). Other heart health screenings may begin later in life. Your doctor can help you learn which screenings you should get and how often you should get them. Read on to learn about the steps you can take to monitor your heart health. When should you get a heart checkup? Even if you have no history of heart disease, the AHA recommends the following schedule for heart health screenings: Weight and BMI: during regular annual checkups Blood pressure tests: at least once every 2 years, starting by age 20 Blood cholesterol tests: at least once every 4 to 6 years, starting by age 20 Blood glucose tests: at least once every 3 years, typically starting at age 40 to 45 They may also order high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) testing. This test measures C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation or infection that's associated with increased risk of heart attack. If you have certain risk factors for heart disease or a strong family history, your doctor might encourage you to start these screenings at a younger age than usual. For example, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screening if you have: high blood pressure, blood cholesterol, or blood sugar a heart condition, such as atrial fibrillation a family history of heart disease overweight or obesity prediabetes or diabetes certain lifestyle factors, like smoking tobacco had complications during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes Ask your doctor how often you should undergo heart health screenings, based on your medical history and health needs. What to expect A routine heart health checkup doesn't typically involve complicated tests. During a heart health checkup, your doctor will talk to you about how you're feeling and offer you screening tests to assess your cardiovascular health and risk factors. Your cardiovascular system includes your heart and blood vessels. As part of the checkup, they'll look for any signs of heart disease and consider your risk for developing heart disease in the future. To monitor the health of your heart, your doctor should routinely: assess your weight and BMI measure your blood pressure order blood tests to check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels ask about your diet, physical activity, and smoking history ask about your personal and family medical history ask whether you've noticed any changes in your health If the results of your screening tests show signs of heart disease or a high risk of developing heart disease, your doctor may order additional tests. Additional heart health tests If your doctor thinks you might have heart disease, they may order one of more of the following tests to assess your heart health: Electrocardiography (ECG, EKG): Small, sticky electrodes are applied to your chest and attached to a special machine, known an ECG machine. This machine records your heart's electrical activity and provides information about your heart rate and rhythm. Exercise cardiac stress test: Electrodes are applied to your chest and attached to an ECG machine. Then you're asked to walk or run on a treadmill, or pedal on a stationary bike, while a healthcare professional assesses your heart's response to physical stress. Echocardiography: A healthcare professional uses an ultrasound machine to create moving images of your heart to see if you have problems with the pumping function of your heart, and to assess your heart valves. Sometimes, they may do this before and after you've exercised or taken certain medications to learn how your heart responds to stress. Nuclear stress test: A small amount of radioactive dye is injected into your bloodstream, where it travels to your heart. A healthcare professional uses an imaging machine to take pictures while you're at rest and after exercise to learn how blood is flowing through your heart. Cardiac CT scan for calcium scoring: You're positioned under a CT scanner with electrodes attached to your chest to record your heart's electrical activity. A healthcare professional uses the CT scanner to create images of your heart and check for plaque buildup in your coronary arteries. Coronary CT angiography (CTA): Similar to the test above, you lie under a CT scanner with electrodes attached to your chest so a healthcare professional can record your heart's activity and create pictures of your heart based on the CT scan's images. A contrast dye is injected into your bloodstream to make it easier for them to see plaque buildup in your coronary arteries. Coronary catheter angiography: A small tube, or catheter, is inserted into your groin or arm and threaded through an artery to your heart. Contrast dye is injected through the catheter while a healthcare professional takes X-ray pictures of your heart, allowing them to see if your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. If you receive a diagnosis of heart disease, your doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, or other treatments to manage it. How much do heart checkups cost? You may be able to access heart health screening tests at low or no cost, depending on where you live and your insurance coverage. If you don't have health insurance, federal health centers offer many essential health services regardless of ability to pay. You can see if there's a qualified health center near you using their search tool. Some pharmacies also offer free heart health screenings in February, National Heart Health Month. If you have health insurance, you may have no cost for basic heart checkup tests. Under the Affordable Care Act, many health insurance plans are required to cover the cost of certain preventive health screenings with no copayment, coinsurance, or deductible fee. Depending on your health insurance coverage, age, and health history, you may be able to get blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar screenings for free. If your doctor orders additional tests to evaluate your heart health, you may have charges for those tests. Some or all of the cost of the tests may be covered by your health insurance. If you have health insurance, contact your insurance provider to learn if you're eligible for free heart health screenings. Ask them how much specific tests will cost. How to check your heart health at home Depending on your health history, your doctor might encourage you to monitor your own heart health and risk factors between checkups. For example, they might advise you to monitor one or more of the following: your body weight or BMI, using a scale your blood pressure, using a home blood pressure monitor your blood sugar levels, using a glucose monitor your heart rate and rhythm, using a wearable fitness tracker, smartwatch, or other device If your doctor wants to assess your heart's electrical activity over the course of multiple hours or days, they might ask you to wear a Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a small battery-operated device that functions as a portable ECG machine. Your doctor may ask you to wear it for 24 to 48 hours before returning the monitor to them. Your doctor may also ask you keep track of your fitness activities, diet, or other lifestyle factors that might affect your heart health. Similarly, they may ask you to log any symptoms of heart disease that you develop. Tips for maintaining heart health To help lower your risk for heart disease, it's important to practice a healthy lifestyle. For example: Avoid smoking tobacco. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Eat a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit your consumption of trans fat, saturated fat, and sugar-sweetened foods and drinks. Take steps to manage your weight. Follow your doctor's recommended treatment plan if you've received a diagnosis of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, diabetes, or other health conditions. Getting routine heart health screenings is also important for maintaining your heart health. These screenings can help your doctor identify potential problems early so you can get the treatment you need. The takeaway To monitor your heart health, your doctor may regularly check your: weight blood pressure blood cholesterol blood sugar They will also ask you about your medical history and lifestyle habits, which can affect your chances of developing heart disease. Many other tests are also available to evaluate your heart's function and health, if your doctor thinks you might have developed heart disease.


Irish Times
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Picture This - Frank McNally on knowing your onions, the sophistication of French scammers, and journalism with legs
A reader had appealed to me as a 'last resort', seeking help in finding an old photograph. His name is Richard Evans, and he's writing a history of his family, the Irish branch of which began in the 1880s when his great grandfather – a Shropshire lad – moved to Dublin to become a butcher's apprentice. The apprentice later struck out on his own with shops in Baggot Street and Ranelagh, the latter beside where Humphrey's Pub still stands. When the building was redeveloped years ago, Richard salvaged the mosaic tiles on the footpath outside, bearing the name ' But he is now 'desperate' to find a photograph of the shop and has tried all the obvious places - including Susan Roundtree's book Ranelagh in Pictures - without success. If this column can't help him, he fears the quest is a 'lost cause'. On a tangential note, his email also notes that the butcher later transferred the business to his nephew, one Tom Onions. An aunt of Richard's, another Onions, tells him there were three shops in Ranelagh at one time owned by people called 'Lovely, Hamm, and Onions' respectively, although he doesn't remember that himself. READ MORE Alas, I can't confirm this either, although I dearly want to and have tried. But then, searching for a 'Lovely shop', or an 'Onions shop', or even a 'Hamm shop', tends to confuse search engines. As for asking AI to tell you more about 'Lovely, Hamm, and Onions' in Dublin 6, that's just a fool's errand. *** Also among my emails this week was one from a woman I'd never heard of before, and who didn't know my name. I immediately assumed it was spam, but it was in French. So before deleting, I mentally translated the opening sentences and was intrigued by their intellectual and philosophical tone. They began like this: 'In death, the family does not destroy itself, it is transformed, a part of it goes into the invisible. We believe that death is an absence, when it is a discreet presence. One thinks it creates an infinite distance, while in fact it suppresses all distance, restoring to the mind what was located in the flesh…' There was more in that vein, all of it sounding vaguely profound, at least in the original. Then at last the lady got around to introducing herself, stoically detailing the terminal illness with which she was diagnosed recently, and mentioning the €1.8 million she would now like to donate to a 'trustworthy and honest person'. Sigh. There are scammers everywhere these days. But it's extraordinary that even fraudulent attempts to get your bank details seem to be so much classier in French. *** Further to the theme of Connacht, Hell, and Longford (Diary Wednesday May 28th), regular correspondent Damien Maguire has written to point out that the Cavan panhandle was another destination from farther north. To this day, he says, there are families there – mostly from Donegal - known as 'Ultachs'. This even though Cavan itself is in Ulster (despite its GAA secessionist ambitions, circa 1915, to escape the baleful influence of Monaghan). Damien also mentions in passing that although everyone has heard of the famous 1947 All-Ireland in New York, not many people know Cavan also won in New York in 1958. This wasn't GAA, it turns out. It was a horse called Cavan, which won the prestigious Belmont Stakes that year, preventing the injured favourite Tim Tam, which had already won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, from completing America's Triple Crown. The 2025 Belmont Stakes is next weekend, June 7th, in Saratoga. And I'm delighted to see that favourites include a horse called Journalism, which has already triumphed in this year's Preakness. I may have to risk a few dollars. It's heartening to know that, even in Trump's America, Journalism in any shape can still win. *** On a more poignant note, this week marked the 30th anniversary of the demise of the Irish Press group, a milestone commemorated by a get-together of survivors in Wynn's Hotel. Disturbingly, that means the world has now been without Press newspapers for almost as long as it has had the Spice Girls, who have been the subject of 30th anniversary reunion tour rumours of late. Now I feel old. The last years of the Press coincided with the start of my career as a freelance journalist, which regularly involved pulling all-nighters, as they say. And seeking to get a jump in the competition, in those pre-internet days, it sometimes helped me to get the next day's papers as soon as they were printed. I was an Irish Times reader (although not yet working for it) by then. But having grown up with the Irish Press, thanks to a Fianna Fáil father, I still had a soft spot for that too. So, cycling into town circa 1am, I would first stop by Poolbeg Street, where bundles of the first edition Presses came rolling down a chute to the waiting vans. It was a bonus that the lads in the Press usually gave me the paper free. Atound the corner at The Irish Times, meanwhile, they always charged.


The National
6 days ago
- General
- The National
Best photos of May 29: Makeshift shelters in Idlib to crowds seeking aid in Gaza
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men. 2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash. 3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible. 4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key. 5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor