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Extreme cold linked to sharp rise in heart-related deaths

On the heels of one of the coldest winters in memory for large swaths of the country, new research highlights an often overlooked cost of cold weather: months with lower temperatures see significantly greater rates of death from heart attacks, strokes and coronary artery disease than milder months.

24 Mar 2026

Swedish study paints a more nuanced picture of Japan's long life expectancy

Although people in Japan tend to live long lives, this does not necessarily mean they are healthier than other populations.

23 Mar 2026

New cholesterol guidelines emphasize earlier risk assessment and prevention

New national guidance for managing cholesterol and other blood lipids emphasizes earlier risk assessment, more personalized treatment, and long-term prevention—including, in some cases, treatment beginning as early as age 30.

23 Mar 2026

Multiple sclerosis prevalence in England doubles due to better diagnosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has more than doubled in recorded prevalence in England from 2000 to 2020, increasing by 6% per year, largely due to improved diagnosis and longer life expectancy, finds a new study by University College London (UCL) and Imperial College London researchers.

23 Mar 2026

New NYU study identifies lower heat risk thresholds for vulnerable older adults

Nationally, heat-related mortality has risen by nearly 17 % per year since 2016. As a result, New York City now issues heat alerts and opens cooling centers when the heat index is forecast to reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for at least two consecutive days or a heat index of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for any length of time.

23 Mar 2026

AI-assisted decision support system improves stroke care and long-term outcomes

A clinical decision support tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze scans after a stroke alongside treatment recommendations is associated with better quality care and long term outcomes for patients compared with usual care, finds a study from China published by The BMJ today.

23 Mar 2026

Digital decision support tool improves outcomes in colorectal surgery

Research published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology provides robust evidence for the use of a digital visualization and decision support tool in colorectal (bowel) surgery.

23 Mar 2026

Pediatric sepsis contributes to significant hospital deaths in the United States

Nearly 1 in 5 pediatric hospital deaths in the United States involve sepsis, according to a new national study published March 22 in JAMA.

23 Mar 2026

‘How low can you go?’ The shifting guidelines for blood pressure control

The patient initially came to see Mark Supiano in 2017 because her family was concerned about her short-term memory loss.

20 Mar 2026

Urban living may reduce risk of first-time stroke

While urban life is often associated with stress and pollution, living in more intensely developed neighborhoods may actually protect against stroke, a new University of Michigan study suggests.

19 Mar 2026

Expanded access to rotational atherectomy maintains safety in PCI procedures

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a standard treatment for significant coronary artery disease. Cardiologists use a catheter to place a stent that opens up the blockage and restores blood flow to the heart.

19 Mar 2026

How long should you take GLP-1 drugs? Study links longer use to lower heart risk

Continuous use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with type 2 diabetes was associated with a lower risk of major cardiovascular events compared with sulfonylureas, with benefits increasing over time. Discontinuation or interruption was associated with a progressive loss of this protective effect, with risks approaching those of comparator therapy.

19 Mar 2026

Socioeconomic gaps shape vulnerability to air pollution mortality in Europe

Socioeconomic factors are widely recognized as potential modifiers of the relationship between air pollution and mortality, but the available evidence remains limited.

19 Mar 2026

Researchers use AI to reveal the true scale of COVID-19 mortality in the US

A machine learning model applied to US death certificate data estimated that over 155,000 COVID-19 deaths were unrecognized between March 2020 and December 2021, suggesting total mortality was about 19% higher than official counts. These undercounted deaths disproportionately affected marginalized populations, including racial minorities, lower-income groups, and residents of the Southern United States.

19 Mar 2026

A healthier thymus predicts longer life and lower cancer and heart disease risk in adults

Imaging-based analysis of over 27,000 adults shows that better thymic health is strongly associated with lower all-cause mortality, reduced lung cancer risk, and improved cardiovascular outcomes. The findings suggest the thymus remains biologically relevant in adulthood, linking immune aging, inflammation, and chronic disease risk, although causality cannot be established.

19 Mar 2026

Genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease may be modified by higher meat intake

Older people with a genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease did not experience the expected increase in cognitive decline and dementia risk if they consumed relatively large amounts of meat.

19 Mar 2026

Young women face rising mortality rates from high blood pressure

Nearly 1 in 2 Americans has high blood pressure—sometimes called the "silent killer" because it harms the heart and blood vessels—but many people don't know they have it.

19 Mar 2026

Alcohol health risks depend on beverage type and consumption habits

While high alcohol intake has been associated with worse health outcomes regardless of the type of alcohol consumed, the potential impacts of low to moderate alcohol intake appear to vary by beverage type, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

19 Mar 2026

Tumor debulking fails to improve survival in colorectal cancer

Research shows tumor debulking in advanced colorectal cancer does not enhance survival outcomes and may increase adverse effects, questioning its efficacy.

19 Mar 2026

New report provides the most detailed picture of preventable child deaths worldwide

An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns, according to new estimates released today.

18 Mar 2026