Why Whole-Grain Rice a healthier choice than white rice?
Whole-grain rice comes in various colors, including gold, purple, red, and black, but the most common type is brown. This refers to the natural color of the grain rather than a specific variety.
When rice is milled and polished to remove the bran and germ, only the starchy endosperm remains, resulting in white rice. Unfortunately, this refining process also removes important nutrients. In contrast to white rice, brown rice is richer in fiber, several B vitamins (B1, B3, B6, and B9), magnesium, potassium, and iron. Studies indicate that replacing white rice with brown rice may help improve blood sugar levels and assist with weight management.
You can find various types of brown rice at the store, including aromatic long-grain basmati rice (popular in Indian dishes) and jasmine rice (a favorite in Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisines). To cook brown rice, combine one cup of rice with about two cups of water (or low-sodium vegetable broth) in a saucepan with a lid. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 45 to 50 minutes. For convenience, consider cooking a large batch and freezing individual portions for up to several months.
According to a recent Japanese study that was written about in the January 2024 edition of JAMA Network Open, a smartphone-based mall walking program could inspire people to get more active.
The study examined step records from 217,344 mall patrons who carried a free smartphone step-tracking app. After walking 1,000 steps at the mall, participants received a digital coupon to participate in a lottery for shopping points.
Researchers collected daily step count data for the entirety of 2021. They discovered that on days when individuals engaged in the mall walking program, they averaged over 1,200 additional steps compared to days they didn’t participate. Notably, women and those aged 65 and older exhibited the most significant increases in their daily step counts.
The authors highlight that malls can be an excellent environment for walking, offering a spacious and safe area free from the complications of poor weather or heavy traffic.
This research is still being monitored.
Photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels
First, they say it's best to prevent problems before they happen, like stopping a bad guy before he causes trouble. If the heart has problems, it could be because of high blood pressure, too much cholesterol, or even a heart attack.
To make the superhero heart strong, you need to think about the future. Imagine what you want to do when you grow up. Do you want to run fast, play games, and enjoy life? Then, you need to focus on things like losing weight and keeping cholesterol in check. It's like giving your superhero heart the right training.
Also, keep an eye on your blood pressure. It's like checking if your superhero heart is doing well. You can do this at home, like having your own superhero gadget. If you notice any problems, tell your parents or a doctor.
Sometimes, the superhero heart needs special medicine. But some people are scared of taking it. The heart doctors say it's okay! The medicine is like a shield that protects your superhero heart. If you eat well and exercise, you might even need less medicine. You have the power to decide!
Next, you need to make time for your superhero heart. Exercise is like training for a big superhero mission. Plan when you will exercise, like making a schedule for superhero practice. If your plan gets messed up, have a backup plan. Maybe you can take a quick walk or do some exercises at home.
The superhero heart doesn't like extra weight. It's like carrying a heavy backpack all the time. So, make losing weight a team effort. Join a group of friends who want to be healthy superheroes too. Share your progress, tips, and challenges. It's more fun and helps everyone stay on track.
Lastly, be a portion superhero! It's like being a food detective. Measure your food to make sure you eat just the right amount. This way, you keep the superhero's heart happy and satisfied.
Remember, you are the superhero sidekick, taking care of the incredible heart inside you!
Your body is protected from bacteria, viruses, and other invaders by the network of specialized cells and organs that make up your immune system. However, occasionally immune cells target the body's own tissues inappropriately for reasons that are still mostly unknown. White blood cells and other chemicals are released as a result, which leads to inflammation and the pain, swelling, and redness that define many autoimmune diseases. However, inflammation also degrades the blood vessel linings, promoting the accumulation of fatty plaque that can cause atherosclerosis, restrict the arteries, increase blood pressure, and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. This relationship probably explains why heart disease rates are higher in those with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. But up until recently, it was unknown how serious and widespread this issue was.
Psoriasis causes skin inflammation that results in a scaly, pink, or dull-red skin rash that appears in spots, mainly on the scalp, in skin folds, and on the back of the elbow. Psoriatic arthritis, which causes morning stiffness and joint inflammation, particularly in the fingers, toes, or knees, affects around one in three people with psoriasis.
Rheumatoid arthritis. The tissue lining the joints is attacked by the immune system, resulting in inflammation that is characterized by pain, swelling, and stiffness. Usually, it affects several joints at once, particularly the hands and feet. Exhaustion and persistent stiffness in the morning are other symptoms.
Lupus. The inflammatory process that causes lupus can have an impact on almost every organ in the body, resulting in a wide range of symptoms. Fever and rheumatoid arthritis-like joint discomfort are typical early symptoms. A "butterfly rash" that runs over the cheekbones and nasal bridge is one noticeable sign. Additionally, harm to the kidneys, lungs, heart, and blood vessels may occur.
Numerous patients under her care have lupus, psoriatic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis—three frequent diseases associated with cardiovascular issues.
Since autoimmune diseases usually affect people in their 20s or 30s, it is especially crucial to be aware of this increased risk. Consequently, cardiac issues might manifest up to ten years before they do in those without an inflammatory illness. A calcium scan helps determine an individual's risk and provide treatment recommendations by identifying early indicators of atherosclerosis. Sometimes symptoms (such as dyspnea while ascending stairs) that are really caused by heart disease are misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis.
Advice on treatment
Cardio-rheumatologists collaborate with rheumatologists to supervise the proper use of disease-modifying biologic therapies, some of which have a higher risk of cardiovascular adverse effects than others. They also prescribe statins and other treatments that reduce the risk of heart attacks.
People with autoimmune diseases benefit from the same diets that are advised for reducing heart disease. Sustaining a healthy weight is also beneficial. Many patients like swimming, which is easy on the joints. People with autoimmune diseases, especially those with severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, may have limited mobility, making exercise particularly challenging."
Others find yoga beneficial, particularly for the additional stress reduction and relaxation it offers. Another activity that might increase heart rate without overstressing the joints is using an elliptical machine.
Depositphotos
According to new research, people may become more motivated to take better care of their hearts if they can see signs of plaque buildup inside their arteries.
More than 7,000 individuals participated in the study, which included the results of six randomised studies. The majority had scans done to look for plaque in their necks or heart arteries. In each study, participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The scan results for half were displayed, whereas for the other half, either no results were displayed or no scans were performed. One to four years were covered by the study follow-ups.
Remote monitoring and virtual visits are both practical and affordable approaches to improve cardiovascular care.
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing and conversing with a doctor via smartphone, tablet, or computer while at home became the norm. The number of in-person medical consultations has increased during the last year or so. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) that was published on December 20, 2022, in Circulation states that video visits and other telehealth methods can still be a good alternative for treating people with heart disease.
What we're seeing now is an increase in blended care that includes a combination of in-person and virtual visits. The hybrid model has been most successful for health care institutions that have built the infrastructure to incorporate virtual health care into their operations. According to her, it's critical for physicians and patients to pay attention to each person's unique needs, preferences, and level of comfort with various forms of care.
Telehealth in its various forms
There are three ways to deliver telehealth:
Synchronous communication between the patient and the doctor over the phone or another device with an Internet connection.
asynchronous—when information is transmitted between doctors and patients but not in real time, akin to e-mail monitoring—when data like weight, blood pressure, or a basic electrocardiogram (ECG) are delivered to the clinician by wirelessly connected equipment.
Most medical offices already had Internet-based portals that consumers used to schedule appointments and get test results before the outbreak. These portals frequently act as the entry point for synchronous visits, which are perfect for a lot of the care patients who have or are at risk for heart disease need.
For instance, doctors frequently discuss any lifestyle or medication modifications you may make to better manage your illness after reviewing information from various measurements or tests you've performed at home, such as weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar readings, or from a lab (a cholesterol test). According to the AHA statement, numerous studies have demonstrated that telemedicine therapy can significantly reduce blood pressure and other heart-related risk factors.
Currently, frequent communication between physicians and patients frequently comes from the medical office and frequently consists of reminders or surveys concerning screenings or testing. However, there would be more time for conversation if information was sent through a portal before a virtual visit.
You probably browse around to compare prices before paying for a service, like a house repair or a plane ticket, for example. But because of the way our healthcare system is set up, you can't do that for medical services. Until the bill comes, you frequently don't even know how much your health insurance will cover or how much is your obligation.
The new federal Transparency in Coverage rule, which goes into effect in January 2021, aims to address this issue. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued the rule, which requires hospitals to: (1) publish the prices for every good and service they provide; and (2) create a user-friendly interface so that patients can estimate their expected costs for common tests and procedures.
Clear and varying prices
Clarifying the true costs related to diagnosis and treatment makes sense because cardiovascular disease is the most costly chronic disease for the American health care system. To achieve that goal, researchers at the Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research made use of information made accessible by the new transparency rule. They were able to compare costs for six common heart tests and operations by browsing the websites of 20 of the best hospitals in the United States. These costs are the outcome of discussions between an insurance provider and a hospital or healthcare organization. Wide price disparities were uncovered by their research, which was published in the September 2022 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine.
According to lead author Dr. Rishi Wadhera, "The variation in prices for identical cardiovascular tests and procedures across different hospitals was, quite frankly, stunning." There was a 10-fold variation in the median cost of an echocardiogram (a cardiac ultrasound) between institutions. Prices varied even further for procedures like pacemaker implantation and percutaneous coronary interventions, which include minimally invasive techniques like stent placement to unblock blocked heart arteries.
Depending on which commercial insurance company a patient had, there were significant price variations within the same hospital. According to Dr. Wadhera, the cost of a stress test varies fivefold in one facility.
New research suggests that individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The study, conducted in Sweden, examined the medical records of over 5.4 million people without pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. The findings revealed that 38% of those with ADHD were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, compared to 24% of individuals without ADHD. The increased risk remained even after accounting for other factors that contribute to heart problems, such as obesity, sleep issues, and heavy smoking. Surprisingly, the study also found that the use of medication for ADHD did not impact the elevated risk. The authors of the study recommend that individuals with ADHD be closely monitored for signs of heart disease. The findings were published in the October 2022 edition of World Psychiatry.
Based on data collected over nearly five decades, a new study highlights the connection between heart health and brain function.
As we age, our bodies and brains naturally become less agile. Experiencing occasional forgetfulness or taking longer to remember names or events is a normal part of the aging process. However, in some cases, cognitive decline can occur at a faster rate. Recent research suggests that individuals who have experienced a heart attack may be more prone to accelerated cognitive decline (refer to "Cognitive changes after a heart attack").
Cognitive abilities, such as reasoning and memory, can be assessed through various methods. The study in question focused on overall cognition, which includes learning, processing speed, and executive function (the ability to carry out mental tasks like planning and remembering instructions). Immediately following a heart attack, survivors did not display any noticeable cognitive changes. However, over the subsequent years, they exhibited a persistent and accelerated decline in overall cognition compared to those who hadn't experienced heart attacks. According to the researchers, this decline was equivalent to approximately six to thirteen years of normal cognitive aging.
The study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the causes of cognitive issues and explore potential prevention strategies. To achieve this, researchers analyzed data from six large studies conducted in the United States over the past five decades. The key findings, published in the July 2023 edition of JAMA Neurology, are summarized below.
Participants: 30,465 adults without a history of heart attack, stroke, or dementia. Of these, 56% were women, 29% were Black, and 8% were Hispanic.
Study Duration: The studies were conducted between 1971 and 2019.
Occurrences: During the follow-up periods, which ranged from around five to twenty years, 1,033 individuals experienced a heart attack, with 137 of them having two heart attacks. All participants underwent at least one cognitive assessment, and those who had a heart attack received assessments both before and after the event.
Key Findings: Cognitive changes were not immediately apparent after a heart attack. However, heart attack survivors experienced a decline in cognitive ability at a faster rate than normal in the subsequent years.
Knowing how to accurately measure your blood pressure at home can be beneficial for your doctor to diagnose and treat high blood pressure, a condition that can have negative effects on the heart, kidneys, and brain.
Regularly having your blood pressure checked is important for adults and should be done at least once a year.
If your blood pressure reading at the doctor's office is higher than the healthy range, it is recommended to repeat the measurement outside of a clinic setting before starting treatment, according to guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force. However, there are other reasons why your doctor may advise you to regularly monitor your blood pressure at home.
Home monitoring is useful in the following situations:
- To determine if your blood pressure is truly higher than normal, as some people may experience elevated blood pressure only at the doctor's office, known as white-coat hypertension.
- If your doctor asks you to track your readings to help decide if medication is necessary to lower your blood pressure.
- If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and need to adjust your medications to reach your blood pressure target.
- If you are pregnant or have recently given birth, and your healthcare team is concerned about preeclampsia, a severe form of high blood pressure that can cause harm to vital organs.
When choosing a home blood pressure monitor, it is important to select a validated device that has been independently reviewed for accuracy. Avoid using monitors with wrist or fingertip cuffs, as they are not as accurate as upper-arm cuffs. Additionally, ensure that you choose the right size cuff for your upper arm, as using a cuff that is too small or too loose can result in incorrect readings.
While basic models can cost as little as $25, more expensive models ranging from $50 to $100 may offer added convenience, such as storing multiple readings and sending data to your computer or smartphone, or directly to your doctor's office patient portal.
Here are three key points to remember about blood pressure readings:
1. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, so one isolated reading is not sufficient for an accurate assessment.
2. Checking your blood pressure when you are upset or stressed can lead to higher readings. Taking multiple readings consistently provides a more reliable assessment.
3. Consult with your doctor about how often and at what time of day you should take your blood pressure. The gold standard for home monitoring is to take 28 separate measurements over seven consecutive days and average them. However, even 12 measurements over three days, including a weekend day, can be reasonable.
To obtain an accurate blood pressure reading, it is important to avoid common mistakes. Wait at least 30 minutes after smoking, consuming caffeine or alcohol, or exercising before measuring your blood pressure. These activities can affect your heart rate and blood vessels, potentially leading to inaccurate readings. Additionally, empty your bladder before measuring your blood pressure, as a full bladder can put pressure on your kidneys and raise blood pressure.
When measuring your blood pressure, sit comfortably with your arm supported near heart height. Avoid crossing your legs, as this can temporarily raise blood pressure. Sit quietly and undistracted for a few minutes before taking a reading. Make sure to wrap the cuff around your bare arm, about an inch above the crook of your elbow, and start the machine to measure your blood pressure.
Diagnosing and treating high blood pressure is crucial, as nearly half of all adults have this condition, and many are unaware of it. High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and cognitive decline. It is often referred to as the silent killer because its effects are not felt or experienced until it is too late.
Remember to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice on monitoring your blood pressure at home and managing your overall health.
Plyometrics are dynamic exercises that can help improve strength, power, balance, and agility. It's important for beginners to start slow and with simple exercises.
What are plyometrics?
Plyometric training involves engaging in short, intense bursts of activity that specifically target fast-twitch muscle fibers in the lower body. These fibers play a crucial role in generating explosive power, which can enhance speed and jumping ability.
Competitive athletes in sports like basketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis, and track and field often incorporate plyometrics into their training routines. Additionally, plyometrics can also enhance coordination, agility, flexibility, and provide a great cardiovascular workout.
Who can safely try plyometrics?
There are various types of plyometric exercises, and many people are familiar with gym plyometrics that involve jumping onto boxes or over hurdles. However, these advanced moves should only be attempted under the supervision of a trainer once you have developed some skills and muscle strength.
It's essential to note that even the beginner-level plyometrics mentioned in this article can be challenging. If you have experienced joint issues, particularly in the knees, back, or hips, or struggle with balance, it's advisable to consult with your doctor before attempting any plyometric training.
How to maximize effort while minimizing the risk of injury
To ensure safety during plyometric exercises, consider the following tips:
1. Choose a surface with some elasticity. Opt for a thick, firm mat (not a thin yoga mat), a well-padded carpeted wood floor, or grass/dirt outdoors. These surfaces can absorb some of the impact upon landing. Avoid jumping on hard surfaces like tile, concrete, or asphalt.
2. Start with small jumps. Begin by jumping just a few inches off the ground. Remember, the higher you jump, the greater the impact upon landing.
3. Maintain proper form. Bend your legs when you land and avoid locking your knees. Aim to land softly, distributing the impact throughout your feet rather than solely on your heels or toes.
Replace electronic communication with face-to-face meetings.
Texting, emailing, social media, and Zoom calls are acceptable as your primary means of communication. According to a scientific statement published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, it's not acceptable if these methods leave you feeling lonely or isolated, two conditions linked to increased risks for heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.
Try to replace some of your technological back-and-forth with people with in-person meetings in order to battle loneliness and isolation. Perhaps you can find time in your schedule for a brief walk, a cup of coffee, or lunch with a colleague or friend.
Matthew Lee, a sociologist and research associate at Harvard University's Human Flourishing Programme, explains, "Spending time face-to-face helps connect you to others and may make you feel less alone." "Being physically present can help you feel more engaged with others, more valued, and more likely to experience a sense of shared identity — all of which can help alleviate feelings of loneliness." This is why some physicians are beginning to engage in "social prescribing,' which includes recommending that patients participate in volunteer work and other activities that foster interpersonal social relationships."
Lee and a team of Harvard researchers recently published a study in the International Journal of Public Health indicating that social connectedness may reduce the likelihood of being diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Both are linked to heart disease and aggravate existing cardiac conditions.
The average adult's resting pulse rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Your heart rate can increase for a variety of reasons, including, as you mentioned, physical activity. Other triggers, such as tension, smoking, caffeine, or alcohol consumption, are also temporary. Certain medications, such as those used to treat colds, asthma, mood disorders, and hypertension, can also increase your heart rate.
This research among black adults in Georgia reveals that feeling a part of the community and interacting with neighbors may significantly improve diet, exercise habits, and weight control. Moreover, fewer heart attacks and strokes, two of the main causes of disability and mortality, may result from improved cardiovascular health.
According to Dr. Dhruv Kazi, associate director of the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology and director of the cardiac critical care unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), "there are a variety of interactions within the community that can improve one's cardiovascular health, not to mention the effect on mental health—the sense of belonging, of being seen—which is tightly related to cardiovascular outcomes in the long run."
He continues, "Another way to say it is that these particular elements of community resilience may directly influence nutrition, activity, weight, and mental well-being, all of which lead to improved cardiovascular health."
A favorable viewpoint on health in African communities
The latest study is a component of the Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular Center for Health Equity (MECA) investigation that is now being conducted in Atlanta. MECA expands on earlier studies showing that having a cardiac disease or dying from it is more common in underprivileged communities. However, the new study fills a gap in previous research, which focused on undesirable characteristics of black areas that may contribute to poor cardiovascular health. It focuses on advantageous neighborhood characteristics, particularly interpersonal relationships, which might support excellent cardiovascular health despite greater risks associated with racial or socioeconomic status.
Dr. Fidencio Saldana, dean for students at Harvard Medical School and an attending physician in medicine and cardiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), explains that researchers typically focus on factors that cause health disparities on the negative side, such as deaths or co-existing diseases, or that increase rates of a specific disease. His research interests include racial disparities and outcomes in cardiovascular disease. It's pretty unusual to be able to look for solutions or consider how to emulate these beneficial characteristics of communities.
Assessment of the social context and cardiovascular health
392 black adults in the Atlanta area, ranging in age from 30 to 70, were involved in the study. None of them had a cardiovascular condition already. Men made up about 4 out of 10 participants.
The social environment is made up of opinions about one's neighbors, any available support systems, and how frequently neighbors interact. Participants provided information on seven neighborhood characteristics, including appearance, the ease of getting around by foot, the availability of wholesome foods, safety, social cohesion, neighborly interaction, and violence.
The American Heart Association's Life's Simple Seven (LS7) scores, which are used to gauge optimum cardiovascular health, were used to gauge heart health. Seven factors that affect cardiovascular health are taken into account by LS7, including self-reported diet, exercise, and smoking history as well as measured blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI). Also, researchers acquired data on yearly income, education, marital status, employment status, and physical examinations, including blood tests.
Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, collapsed on the football field after taking a strong blow to the chest, prompting emergency personnel to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to try restarting his heart.
Receiving even a streamlined, hands-only version of CPR when a heart stops beating (cardiac arrest) can at least double a person's chances of surviving. However, only about half of those who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital receive CPR from a bystander. And, because four out of every five cardiac arrests occur at home, the life you might save with CPR is more likely to be that of a loved one or someone you know rather than a stranger. Here are the CPR fundamentals for adults:
Understand two basic characteristics of cardiac arrest.
How do you know if someone is experiencing a heart attack? The following are two distinguishing features:
There is no response. There is no reaction if you say loudly, "Are you okay?" and shake someone's shoulders roughly.
Breathing abnormally. Check to see if their chest is going up and down, or put your face close to their nose and mouth to hear if they are breathing normally. The brain cannot receive enough oxygen from labored, erratic breathing, such as gasping or snorting.
First, dial 911—or, better yet, instruct someone nearby to dial 911. Put the phone on speaker so that you can begin CPR while waiting for instructions from the emergency operator.
Push down while maintaining your arms straight and your shoulders precisely above your hands. Push hard: compress the chest by at least two inches with your body weight.
Repeat the compressions several times, aiming for 100 to 120 pushes per minute.
It can be challenging to prioritise heart health during busy days. Simply put, it seems like you don't have time for routines that keep your ticker in tip-top shape, such as regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and a healthy diet. To add a few extra steps to your daily tally, you might choose to park further away from a store or take the stairs whenever you can. What else can you do, though? These three activities may fit into your schedule.
Replace a bad breakfast with a good one.
Do you typically eat a quick breakfast that is high in processed meat, refined (as opposed to whole) grains, saturated fat, and added sugar? Regular consumption of that type of food may increase weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, or calories, all of which are bad for your heart.
Instead, opt for breakfast items high in fibre, a type of carbohydrate that either passes through the body undigested (insoluble fibre) or turns into a gel that coats the gut (soluble fibre).
Change your online correspondence to a face-to-face meeting.
It's acceptable if your primary method of communication with others is texting, emailing, using social media, or making Zoom calls. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association that was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association says that it is not okay if these methods make you feel isolated or lonely, because these feelings have been linked to higher risks for heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.
Try to substitute some of your electronic back-and-forth with people with in-person meetings in order to combat loneliness and isolation. Maybe you can make time in your schedule for a brief lunch, a coffee break, or a stroll with a friend or coworker.
Since "it's just the flu," a lot of people think that they don't see the point in getting flu vaccines. They believe that influenza, also known as "the flu," is just a cold that will go away in a few days. Sadly, the flu usually has more severe symptoms than a cold, including worsened coughing, considerably worse aches and fatigue, and a higher fever. Additionally, the impact of the flu on the lungs might result in dangerously low blood oxygen levels. The flu can therefore result in hospitalisation and even death. This is not only a rare occurrence; according to the CDC, the flu caused 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 52,000 fatalities per year in the United States from 2010 to 2020. In comparison, about 40,000 people pass away in car accidents each year in the United States.
How does flu affect the heart? The heart is rarely directly infected by the virus. Instead, the virus's negative effects on the heart are caused by atherosclerosis of the heart's arteries. Atherosclerosis affects many people over the age of 50, yet it hasn't always been recognised in some cases. Less oxygen is delivered to the heart muscle as a result of atherosclerosis, which narrows the arteries and lowers blood flow. The flu's impact on the lungs diminishes blood oxygen levels, which further reduces the heart's ability to receive oxygen. A heart attack or cardiac arrest may result from this (sudden death).
The researchers analysed 13 studies with a combined participant population of more than 5.3 million participants. They discovered that the two most prevalent mental illnesses, anxiety and depression, were linked to an increased risk of afib by 25% and 10%, respectively. Anger was associated with a 15% increase in risk of Afib and significant work stress with an 18% increase in risk.