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Four people died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning during the weekend in cars where a tailpipe was blocked after a major snowstorm. The Associated Press (AP) wrote about the deaths, which were in the Boston area and in Meriden, CT. Two children were hospitalized in Boston after a similar incident. They are expected to recover, AP said. Parts of New England and New York received 2 to 3 feet of snow February 8 through 9. In all, the storm was blamed for at least 15 deaths in the Northeast and Canada, AP reported. They included heart attacks while shoveling snow, at least one of them fatal. A New York man died after his tractor drove off an embankment while he was plowing snow, AP said. Boston police warned that people should clear the snow around the tailpipe of a car before starting the engine. Otherwise, deadly fumes back up into the car.

About 8% of stroke survivors have thought about suicide or thought they’d be better off dead, a survey suggests. Researchers said the percentage of those pondering suicide after stroke was higher than for people who had heart attacks, cancer or other health problems. The study was based on a large national health survey taken during the years 2005 through 2010. It included a total of 17,000 people. In all, 678 reported having a stroke at some time in the past. People were asked: “Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself?” About 6% of heart attack survivors, 5% of people with diabetes and 4% of people with cancer reported such thoughts. A stroke damages the brain.