Walking, biking or even riding public transit to work can help with weight control, a new study suggests. The study was based on a survey of about 7,500 people in the United Kingdom. Nearly 74% commuted by car. About 10% of men and 11% of women used public transit. About 14% of men and 17% of women walked or biked to work. A nurse visited people and measured their height, weight and percentage of body fat. Researchers adjusted the numbers to account for factors that may affect weight. These included age, medical conditions, income, social class and other exercise. They found that BMI was lower for those who did not drive to work. Effects were similar whether people commuted by foot, bicycle or public transit. For example, men in these groups had BMI scores between 0.9 and 1.1 points lower than the men who drove themselves.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
This is my first pregnancy. How do I know if am at risk for a pre-term birth?
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Researchers measured the vascular health of over 5,000 people who lived near major roadways to assess the effects of long-term proximity to car fumes.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Nearly 10 percent of people with high blood pressure have resistant hypertension, meaning their blood pressure is still high despite taking at least three medications. Taking combination pills, exercising, and eating less sodium can help.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Left and right bundle branch blocks are abnormalities of the heart’s electrical conduction system that show up on an electrocardiogram. They rarely cause symptoms and don’t need special treatment in most cases.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Coughing or gagging may help slow a very rapid heartbeat caused by supraventricular tachycardia. Known as vagal maneuvers, these techniques work by stimulating the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the abdomen.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Men who eat processed red meats such as sausages and cold cuts may raise their risk of heart failure. These foods may be especially detrimental because of their high levels of sodium, nitrates, and other additives.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Compression stockings can help prevent the leg swelling and blood clot formation that can occur after long periods of sitting. Drinking water and moving the legs can also help.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Digoxin is among the oldest cardiac drugs still in use, but its history has been marked by controversy. However, better knowledge of how the drug works has created a potential new role for digoxin in people with advanced heart failure.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
For people who can’t take blood thinners to prevent blood clots in the legs from traveling to the lungs, a tiny cage-like device called a vena cava filter placed within a major vein can trap migrating clots before they can travel to the lungs.
Content restricted. Requires subscription